Going geo

What do I need?
To use the GeoGoing client software, you will need

A Java(TM) MIDP 2.0/CLDC 1.1 capable mobile device. For location services, the device will need to be JSR-179 enabled.
A mobile data connection (3G, WLAN, GPRS)

Geotags?
Geotagging, sometimes called geocoding, is a way of adding location tags (latitude and longtitude coordinates) to places on a map for later use. You can think of it as placing map pins on a paper map, except these map pins come with hyperlinks and content. Geotags can be named and can contain information such as photos or content tags. You can also combine several geotags to create a route.

Content tags?
Content tags are single-word metadata, or labels, that you can add to a geotag to describe its content and make it easier to find afterwards for yourself and other users. For example, if you add the tags "swimming beach boat" to a location, users searching for any of these terms will be able to find it. By themselves, content tags have limited meaning, but a combination of content tags can be a powerful way of adding meaning and findability to an object.

Sharing your location
Broadcast your location to other users to take part in impromptu meetups or community events! GeoGoing enables you to share your location to everyone in the network, or only to users in select communities that you are a member of. When you connect to the network with your GPS-enabled mobile device, your current coordinates will be added to the map along with your personal profile. In the interest of privacy, this feature is turned off by default. Try it out by turning "Location sharing" on in your GeoGoing settings.

Proximity alerts
You can attach alert tags to other users and geotags. When you log in to GeoGoing while near an alert-tagged 'beacon' object, or an object moves near you while you're logged in, you will receive a proximity notification.

Local information
Wnat to read the local news where you are? See the 5-day weather forecast? With GeoGoing, you can subscribe to local information feeds after broadcasting your location by logging in.

Questions?
Want to know more? Contact us and we'll give you the lowdown.

Share tags, gain tags

GeoGoing communities are groups of users who share tags and if they wish, their own location within the group. Anyone can create community for sharing their tags.

Public communities
By default, communities are public so that anyone can join them to gain access to the community's tag database. This is a great way of sharing information for special interests - the best nature spots, biking trails, seafood restaurants, anything that you fancy! Members can add new geotags and comments for all other members to explore.

When you first log in to GeoGoing, you will automatically join the public community (community name 1). This community contains public geotags for outdoor sights, geocaches, tourist attractions and other points of general interest.

Private communities
Private communitites function in the same manner as public communities except for membership being limited. Only users invited by the creator of the community can join, so the information shared within the community will be kept out of the sight of nonmembers.

Private communities can also be used by companies and organisations to share various kinds of information with their employees (for more of that, see column on the right).

Community communications
Anyone can send private messages to other members of their community or, if the community owner (the person who created the community) allows it, to send bulletins to all members of the group. Alert others to new interesting places you have tagged, organise community events and more! As yet another form of community communication, you also have the option of rating and commenting existing geotags.

Stay connected
Even if you're not browsing your communities with GeoGoing, you can keep up-to-date with tags and comments other members are adding by subscribing to the community or user RSS feeds. RSS feeds are automated updates that are delivered to your RSS reader, or aggregator, application on your computer. Subscribe to a feed by clicking the appropriate RSS icon. More information on RSS feeds.

GeoGoing for organisations

Visibility
GeoGoing can add visibility for your business by presenting users with information about what you do together with your map location on the user's mobile device. Customers can easily find your business by searching for services and products on offer either in their vicinity or at a specified map location. There are various ways the user can discover your business - by searching for company name, by searching for a particular product or brand you sell, or by searching for your business type.
Customer groups
You can create opt-in customer groups where the members can receive notices from you depending on their location (for example: Your company sells trekking equipment. A user belonging to your customer group broadcasts their location somewhere in the woods within your area. The user will then receive the message you specified for woodland areas: "Need some proper hiking boots? Visit John's Trekking Emporium at 15 High St." while displaying your location on the user's map.)
Business communications
Limited-access private communities are suitable for use in demanding business environments. If your workforce requires map-based, realtime map intelligence that can be added and updated on the field, GeoGoing is the solution for you.