The 2010 George Orwell Remix – Do you geo or don’t you geo?

The rising popularity of neo-geography and all of the  geo- applications is causing a debate hotter than health care in 2009.  People are very strongly planted either on the “I love geo!” side or the “Are you kidding me? Let everyone know where I am?! No Way!” side.  Neutrality doesn’t seem to be a player in this game, and we are only in the first inning!

I, as you may well know, am a geo-phile. If it has a map app to it, I’m on it like white on rice (my new geo-bff? www.dailyplaces.net – friend me, I’m “janie” there).  My husband, on the other hand, goes all George Orwellian on me any time I mention adding something like Google Latitude to his phone (I’m the one who called Lo-Jack and asked if they could implant one on my husband 5 years ago, still nothing!).  He just doesn’t want to be found, he feels it an invasion of privacy.  End of story.

From a security standpoint, I get it, we don’t want stalkers knowing our every move. As real estate professionals, we sure put ourselves out there and letting the creepy crawlies know where you are can be a security issue, there is no doubt. You can ride with the geo-wave and not risk your neck by following a few rules of thumb:

1. Most geo-tagging apps and software will ask you if it is OK to publish your location, either each time you use them or in the settings so just be aware of what info you are making available and when.
2. You can always use a general location (ie within a 1 mile radius) instead of an exact location.
3. You can post your location as you leave (if using Foursquare, Brightkite, etc) your locale instead of when you arrive.
4. Only publish real time locations if you are with another person.
5. Don’t publish your home location and when you are/aren’t there.

There is so much good Google power in geo, I wouldn’t let security concerns keep you from the party, just party smart.

The privacy issue is another animal all together. There is less overcoming this if you just like to run incognito all the time.  This is where I run into the hyper anti-geophites the most.  They just don’t want people knowing where they are (see hubby story above).  This is more DNA encrypted and I am not sure you can change this aspect of yourself (sort of like being a Coke or Pepsi drinker). What I would offer my fair friends on the other side of the aisle is this; Geo is the new way.  Geo is getting bigger and bigger, bonds you with your community like crazy, builds your brand as that of the local authority and has crazy good Google-punch.  If you don’t want to publish your own location, you can still use the geo-web to post your favorite locations, pics, attractions yet keep your own personal location a secret.  You can still be the masked avenger, don’t worry.

From either side of the aisle, you can find ways to use the blooming geo-web to build your business and your brand.  Do it in a way that resonates with you, is safe and is productive.  Find the app or apps that work within your boundaries of comfort and go for it!

Are you a geo-phile or an anti-geophite?  Why?  What thrills you, concerns you?  Let’s hear it!

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