Comments on: Why I built an Item Finder for Gowalla http://bendodson.com/2009/12/05/why-i-built-an-item-finder-for-gowalla/ The blog and portfolio of an Apple iPhone Developer Mon, 06 Sep 2010 15:13:42 +0100 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Sarah http://bendodson.com/2009/12/05/why-i-built-an-item-finder-for-gowalla/comment-page-1/#comment-1061 Sarah Tue, 19 Jan 2010 00:20:25 +0000 http://bendodson.com/?p=383#comment-1061 I love your Item Finder! Before discovering it, I was spending *way* too much time on the Gowalla website, checking for new places and looking to see if any elusive items had been dropped there. It's so easy now to see where I might find the items I'm so badly craving. I am planning a field trip after work tomorrow to go get some of the things I discovered tonight -- I just hope I get there first! ;o) Thanks for a really excellent tool! I love your Item Finder! Before discovering it, I was spending *way* too much time on the Gowalla website, checking for new places and looking to see if any elusive items had been dropped there. It’s so easy now to see where I might find the items I’m so badly craving. I am planning a field trip after work tomorrow to go get some of the things I discovered tonight — I just hope I get there first! ;o) Thanks for a really excellent tool!

]]> By: lora http://bendodson.com/2009/12/05/why-i-built-an-item-finder-for-gowalla/comment-page-1/#comment-1043 lora Sun, 06 Dec 2009 00:20:38 +0000 http://bendodson.com/?p=383#comment-1043 Very well written! It's interesting how there are so many factions within the Gowalla community based on how Gowalla is used (or played, I guess). At the highest level, it seems, the division is between those who give priority to the discovery, creation and visiting of locations and those who give it to the fun, rewarding iconography (stamps, pins, items). And of course AlamoFire team has never dictated the "right" way to play Gowalla, instead giving users the freedom to play as they prefer. Initially, I disagreed with your statement that the Item Finder encourages people to discover and explore, as it seems the way most people would use the tool would be by looking around for the Items they wanted, making sure they had enough in their pack to sufficiently trade, and then hitting up all the spots to make the trades, never bothering to actually *visit* the location... but I can see the argument of discovering the existence of locations on the Gowalla map that one might never have thought to visit had the Item Finder not revealed it, thanks to that location's possession of a needed Item. I think it's wonderful that you noted above how you're frequently in contact with the Gowalla devs to keep a healthy (though officially unaffiliated) relationship going. It must be such a compliment for them, that they've created a product that someone loves so much that he's gone and built a marvelous site of tools that encourages more usage of the original product, and all on his own dime. (: Most communities would kill to have as passionate and dedicated a member as you are. Very well written! It’s interesting how there are so many factions within the Gowalla community based on how Gowalla is used (or played, I guess). At the highest level, it seems, the division is between those who give priority to the discovery, creation and visiting of locations and those who give it to the fun, rewarding iconography (stamps, pins, items). And of course AlamoFire team has never dictated the “right” way to play Gowalla, instead giving users the freedom to play as they prefer.

Initially, I disagreed with your statement that the Item Finder encourages people to discover and explore, as it seems the way most people would use the tool would be by looking around for the Items they wanted, making sure they had enough in their pack to sufficiently trade, and then hitting up all the spots to make the trades, never bothering to actually *visit* the location… but I can see the argument of discovering the existence of locations on the Gowalla map that one might never have thought to visit had the Item Finder not revealed it, thanks to that location’s possession of a needed Item.

I think it’s wonderful that you noted above how you’re frequently in contact with the Gowalla devs to keep a healthy (though officially unaffiliated) relationship going. It must be such a compliment for them, that they’ve created a product that someone loves so much that he’s gone and built a marvelous site of tools that encourages more usage of the original product, and all on his own dime. (: Most communities would kill to have as passionate and dedicated a member as you are.

]]> By: Georgie Hammerton http://bendodson.com/2009/12/05/why-i-built-an-item-finder-for-gowalla/comment-page-1/#comment-1042 Georgie Hammerton Sat, 05 Dec 2009 23:36:42 +0000 http://bendodson.com/?p=383#comment-1042 I fully agree with what you say here. Gowalla has no rules and for the majority at this stage is a largely private experience with people making their own rules and playing the game their own way. I play gowalla to discover new places and the new item finder is great! Browsing around with it yesterday I found A Crush It Book in Lewes, and despite being a 50 minute drive away I hopped in the car with my girlfriend and went to pick it up. We'd never have gone to Lewes were it not for the item finder; thanks to it my girlfriend and I spent one less evening in front of the telly, I got to see the place my parents spent their wedding night (Lewes), and got a distinct sense of satisfaction from picking up the item. Gowalla is made to be played the way you want to play. The game has a such a rigid structure thanks to the GPS that you can't 'cheat'. I love Gowalla and I love innovations which you, Ben, bring to those who are most passionate about it. I commend you on your excellent work and encourage you to build the best tools you can because you're bloody good at it! :) I fully agree with what you say here. Gowalla has no rules and for the majority at this stage is a largely private experience with people making their own rules and playing the game their own way.

I play gowalla to discover new places and the new item finder is great! Browsing around with it yesterday I found A Crush It Book in Lewes, and despite being a 50 minute drive away I hopped in the car with my girlfriend and went to pick it up. We’d never have gone to Lewes were it not for the item finder; thanks to it my girlfriend and I spent one less evening in front of the telly, I got to see the place my parents spent their wedding night (Lewes), and got a distinct sense of satisfaction from picking up the item.

Gowalla is made to be played the way you want to play. The game has a such a rigid structure thanks to the GPS that you can’t ‘cheat’.

I love Gowalla and I love innovations which you, Ben, bring to those who are most passionate about it. I commend you on your excellent work and encourage you to build the best tools you can because you’re bloody good at it! :)

]]>