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Local Social Networks

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by Kevin Maney
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Oct 23 2007 12:00am EDT

Local Social Networks

Let's say you live in a condo complex, and you see people in passing but rarely have a chance to meet many of your neighbors. I've wondered for a while why complexes like that -- or housing developments, or apartment buildings -- don't create their own on-line social networks, like little local Facebooks.

A company has popped up to do just that, called LifeAt. Although, a condo association could just as easily use something like Ning to set up a local social network.

A next phase of this might be temporary social networks -- like for a hotel. Could be a way for, say, Marriott to encourage brand loyalty. Upload a profile on Marriott's site. When you're leaving for a business trip to Dallas, allow your profile to be visible in the Dallas Marriott's temporary social network, and see others who are going to be staying there. Now you'd have a way to find a tennis partner or get a pick-up basketball game going.

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