click here to go to the plink homepage.

You can log in using the following fake account, or set up your own!

Username: fakuser Password: 12345

Plink is in some ways the opposite of a social networking site. It is based on the idea that each of us has a select group of people that we really care about, and with whom we would like to share more about ourselves as we go about our daily routines, but without the time intensive process of sending messages, updating status messages, and changing our profiles. Using location-based data obtained via a Loki plug-in, Plink passively updated user’s locations and transmits them to their friends and family. When a user logs in, they see the most recent location of the people in their network, and Plink simultaneously updates their location for others to see in turn.

When a marker appears in San Francisco with my mother’s name on it, I know that she has arrived safely at her meeting, even if she hasn’t had time to call me. Even though we are on separate coasts, knowledge of the other person’s physical location helps to bridge the distance between us.

That’s not all. Using the Google maps interface, I clan click anywhere in the world and leave a location-specific message for one of my friends. These messages are hidden from their intended recipient until that person actually arrives at the location specified. So, for example, If I know my brother will be traveling to Austin to visit our aunt next week, I can leave a message for him at her address reminding him to give her the photos I sent. When he logs on from her house, the message will appear.

Plink transmits a part of us to or loved ones as we go about our day. Through the lens of our location, our connections to others begin to emerge as our paths on a map converge and grow apart. By seeing ourselves in relation to those with whom we share our lives, we create a simple context for people to feel more connected.

Plink is a complete (and completely functioning) location-based social networking site which employs Loki’s automatic wi-fi positioning plugin as well as the google maps api.