Sunday, May 1, 2011

Practicum #3 - Becky Jones

While garnering friends was one of the biggest challenges I face with these social networks, keeping up with them was a challenge as well. In order to develop some sort of "status" on Yelp, I had to continually check in at the locations I visited around Madison. This meant, pulling out my phone or ipod touch, finding service, finding each location and checking in. Now, checking in is not exactly necessary in order to use Yelp for its social networking aspects, but it really helped as far as meeting people. It served as a way to develop a common interest, and in some cases a competition. I did meet one other person, as we competed for the dukedom of my favorite grocery store. Again, is this my new lifetime friend? Not quite, but I did learn the best day to get the coupons for Metcalfes! Other benefits of using Yelp as a social networking site as opposed to Flickr or Myspace...I've learned about a LOT of great places across Madison. Yelp does have reviews and quick tips that help with this, but after meeting people and starting up some conversations, I was able to get some recommendations based on my own preferences, likes and dislikes. I never would have tried the new sushi spot in Hilldale if a new friend hadn't suggested it to me on Yelp, after seeing that I checked in Osaka...a not so great sushi spot in Madison. Even though sometimes I feel like a friendless nerd, or even a bit of a creeper, Yelp really has been a great outlet to learn more about the city around me.

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