User:Dylan8902/Ybsolo

The Idea
Ybsolo (reads as Why be Solo) is a social network launched in April 2011 which aims to assist in the building of connections between travellers and professsionals alike. The service enables users who may be travelling to a new place or currently away on business to search for other individuals in the same location based on a range of search filters, contact them and then arrange a meet if the other party is interested. The service is there to ensure that one needn't be without company, no matter where on the earth they may be. The site is owned and run by Ybsolo Ltd, registered in the UK in February 2011. It's directors include Adam Thurston, Lachlan Larkins and Dylan Jones. Adam Thurston, 23, recently graduated from Cass Business School (London) currently works for a commodities firm in London. Lachlan Larkins, 22, recently graduated from Cass Business School (London) also currently works between London and Geneva. Dylan Jones is a 22 year-old undergraduate studying Electronic and Communications Engineering at the University of Leeds. He has extensive experience in making web applications. Ybsolo is his biggest project thus far. Jones has handles and directs all technical aspects of the service.

The Name
The name of the social tool is a play on the words, "why be solo?" It is a direct question to the user, saying that a new connection is only a click away, and that being in an unknown place shouldn't be a barrier for meeting and socialising. The logo design is simple, abbreviating 'why be' to 'yb'. In addition, the 'o' in solo has been designed in the form of a face by using brackets and a full stop. This face symbol is used as a ranking system. Ybsolo's proprietary algorithm recommends a friend based on a variety of factors and inputs. Ybsolo are still tweaking this feature.

The Service
Ybsolo works as follows ; after a user has signed in, they have a view of a global map which shows where users have been, where they are and where they are going and current public meets available, based on the filters in place. Once a user 'goes live' at a specific location, the map concentrates here and gives the user an idea of who is nearby. The user can 'buzz' someone they would like to meet with after clicking on and viewing profiles, and should the corresponding user be interested, they can buzz back and decide upon a location. Ybsolo will recommend a place/activity. In 3 steps, two people have been connected. It is this quick and easy process which distinguishes Ybsolo. Users can also inform the ybsolo community of when they intend on being in a location in the future and arrange a meet in advance. Public meets enable users to post an event/activity, allowing multiple users to rsvp/attend the event. The creator of the event is able to set a limit on the total number of people to attend the meet. This provides users with a safe way of meeting and potentially creating a new circle of friends. The network best services individuals on the move, as in those who are travelling, or else professionals trying to build connections and share activities with others according to their lifestyle.

Products and Services
Ybsolo's geosocial networking service is currently web based, using the latest web technologies including HTML5] Geo-location and drag and drop. Location and mapping data provided by Google ensure an up-to-date service and information. Coded in PHP and Javascript, the site is valid HTML5, compliant and compatible across major browsers and was written from scratch in Notepad++. A mobile supported site also accessible on Android, iPhone and other supporting handsets. A mobile app is currently in development and will be launched in the near future.

Privacy
Ybsolo is permission based amd users have full control over their location and profile information. Users are able to turn off their location at any time. Users are able to delete their account at any time.