FourSquare begins to emerge in a Facebook and Twitter world

Facebook and Twitter have dominated the social networking mainstream for a while now. There is a new service joining the scene.

The challenger’s name: FourSquare.

Users of FourSquare can send in “check-ins” from their mobile phones, keeping friends informed on their location.

“Whenever I go out, I always post it up on FourSquare. That way no one feels left out,” said Kaylee Johnson, University College freshman. “Anyone who is my friend can see where I’m at and if I’m open to company.”

The Web site, www.foursquare.com, also offers the chance for users to read and write reviews of bars, clubs, and restaurants in their area. The mobile applications even make suggestions for other places to visit based on past locations.

The more places a FourSquare user goes to and writes reviews for earns him or her more points. The points can then be turned into badges, such as the “Crunked” badge or the “Player Please!” badge to display on one’s Web page.

When a user has visited a certain place more than any other user, he or she becomes the “mayor” of that place.

“I’m working really hard to become the mayor of this coffee house near my hometown,” said C.R. Reed, University College freshman. “If I make mayor I get free coffee, and you just can’t pass that up.”

FourSquare is mainly for people living in large cities, but users from small towns may find the network useful during trips to the city and on vacations.

“I’m from Lawton, and it isn’t listed on the site,” said Kayla Weaver, University College freshman. “This summer, though, my family went to Kansas City on vacation and FourSquare made the trip really fun. We went to a lot of places we would have never found on our own.”

FourSquare is not only a great way to discover new hangouts, it is also an excellent way to learn about your friends.

“It’s way easier to make plans with friends now that I know where they like to go,” said Johnson. “I would definitely recommend everyone give FourSquare a try.”