How to be social in the digital age

yacht

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There will soon be a new app launched, hopefully also yachters will use it, basically the idea is to be able to post a question to anyone nearby and get a real-time answer either from a person nearby or from a machine AI type intelligence which is being plugged into the app.
So you arrive in a new port, don't know anyone and looking for some help, advice whatever. In real life you go knocking on peoples canvases asking them or asking at the Harbourmaster which of course works fine. With an app you could also post the question there, and hope someone will pick it up through the app or through the apps Twitter, FB feed and answer to you back asap.. the app will also show your boat speed, and exact location if you want, even display you are on a boat if you're on the water.

This is not a Marketing message, just wanted to let you know such an app is being launched very soon and geared also towards people who travel a lot with the car, as I often find myself arriving in strange places and still opening the window "old school" instead of asking the question through an app
 
An interesting, but strange, concept; Google usually answers 99.99993% of all questions asked in the known universe.
 
An interesting, but strange, concept; Google usually answers 99.99993% of all questions asked in the known universe.

Very true, not competing with Google though. Idea would be to get a real person advice, like I need to borrow a lawnmower from a neighbour, or a tool for my boat (instead of buying it), Google won't answer that ;)
 
Very true, not competing with Google though. Idea would be to get a real person advice, like I need to borrow a lawnmower from a neighbour, or a tool for my boat (instead of buying it), Google won't answer that ;)

So it depends on anyone who has a lawnmower or a torque wrench constantly scanning their phone for all the questions raised by anyone within some distance on the offchance that they can help? Well, good luck with that. I expect I've heard worse ideas, though offhand I can't remember any.
 
So it depends on anyone who has a lawnmower or a torque wrench constantly scanning their phone for all the questions raised by anyone within some distance on the offchance that they can help? Well, good luck with that. I expect I've heard worse ideas, though offhand I can't remember any.

Thanks for the support! the idea is to be able to communicate anonymously with people nearby, it is definitely not for everyone but will have some neat features including the AI answering travel related queries real time and always instantly
 
How to be social in the digital age. Easy. Turn it off.

Why so many otherwise intelligent people are completely adicted to electronic toys is beyond my comprehension. There was a post on here a few weeks ago suggesting that it's not possible to shop in a supermarket without the help of a smart phone. The sad part is that the poster was being honest.
 
Thanks for the support! the idea is to be able to communicate anonymously with people nearby

But what's in it for the people they're communicating with? God knows the idea of "friend" is tenuous enough already on Facebook - what incentive do I have to check every query from people I don't know just because they are in my area? How can I trust the answers?

Anyway, it has been done. www.spraffl.com. Which nobody has heard of, and with good reason.

it is definitely not for everyone but will have some neat features including the AI answering travel related queries real time and always instantly

Just like Siri and Google voice search, you mean? 1999 called. They want their dotcom boom back.
 
It sounds like exactly what I don't want, and seriously warps the definition of 'Socialise'

Can you imagine approaching a small Cornish harbour at dusk in mucky weather and using this app to ask a random selection of anonymous locals what the safe way in is? Old habits die hard, and it will be a darn sight easier than all that mucking about with oil lamps.
 
Thanks for the support! the idea is to be able to communicate anonymously with people nearby, it is definitely not for everyone but will have some neat features including the AI answering travel related queries real time and always instantly

More pee on your fireworks I'm afraid. Would you lend tools from your tool box or lawnmower to someone who is anonymous? I've lost tools to people I know let alone strangers.

If you would like to do something useful, create an App which blocks all other App's so people can sit and talk to each other.
 
If you would like to do something useful, create an App which blocks all other App's so people can sit and talk to each other.

So are you asking someone to create an app that can turn your phone off? Or if you want to be selective, uninstall apps (that you presumably installed in the first place)? Done and Done - and they come with your phone.

Sorry, the OP has created something that he obviously sees a need/desire for. I too can see flaws in it, but as long as V1 usage/functionality is not set in stone it could evolve into something good and useful. It never fails to fill me with shame how in this country any sign of creativity or entrepreneurial spirit is pounced upon and crushed at the earliest opportunity. The idea might have flaws, it might not go anywhere but at least he got off his arse and gave it a try!

I commend him for that and, good luck, I hope your idea finds lots of supporters.

PP
 
So are you asking someone to create an app that can turn your phone off? Or if you want to be selective, uninstall apps (that you presumably installed in the first place)? Done and Done - and they come with your phone.

PP

OK, so you misunderstood the ironic and I admit sarcastic bit of my post.
 
Go ahead and develop the app. One of two things will happen. If it works out you'll make some money, if not it will be inAPPropriate for your perceived market. Good luck with it all.
Cheers John.
 
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