If you’re already familiar with microblogging by using Twitter, you might want to try out Plazes for a different take on the mini-updates-on-what-you’re-doing theme. Plazes is different, and particularly useful for net-loving nomads, because it focuses on location. Type in what you’re doing (either on your computer or through SMS on your phone) and Plazes flags up your update on a nifty map so that all your buddies (or, if you choose, everyone on Plazes) can see where you are and what you’re up to.

Obviously, if you’re travelling your updates will be a bit more exciting than mine above (maybe ’staring into the eyes of a tiger’ sent from the Indian Sunderbans, for example). A great bonus for travellers is that other Plazes peeps in the same area can see that you’re about and arrange to hook up - be that a mate just round the corner suggesting a pint or a local New Yorker who”d be happy to show you round his neighbourhood.

You can also add a Plazes widget to your blog or MySpace page so everyone can see your latest map location and update, and a Facebook app that can display the whereabouts and activities of all your Facebook friends. Join here and make me (username: STAtravelbuzz) your first Plazes pal. Although my updates are, frankly, pretty damn dull.

by Molly on 9 May 2008
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