[BW-dev-discussion] Introducing geo groups (local groups) - feedback needed!

[Leonardo Boselli]

On Tue, 24 Jan 2012, Michael Dettbarn wrote:

> The local groups-system that Peter created is already designed to
> automatically create a group once you visit the url of a location.
> In fact, groups shall be created for a hierarchy of locations
> (Europe > France > Ile-de-France > Paris) once a member signs up
> with this location.

OK

> I'm not sure if I like your idea of "hiding" local groups.
> This might be a good idea for "normal" groups but local groups have the 
> unique favor of a hierarchical structure.
> No need to make them show up elsewhere.
> What Peters/my local groups system features though: A "preview" of major 
> cities (according to number of bw users) within a 
> continent/country/region.
> This makes it easy to browse the local groups and find the active ones.

With hiding i was thinkig of not showing "empty" location, until at least 
one person is there, or one search explicitely.

>> Then putting in the alert area at login an alert saying " has been created in your area a local group. you are invited to join this or the following others".
>> Then groups would be consolidated, based on distance, until there is a critical mass (say 25 people).
>> I explain. if one register to a local group and is the first one, or one of the first ones, until his group will not arrive to critical mass, he|she will be "guest" member of the closest one. if even this one does not reach the critical mass, will be part also of the second close, and so on (removing would be manual, of course).
>> An example. assume critical mass is 10, there are 4 theorethical groups, and 4 people, one per group.
>> then each one will be a guest in the other ones, each one will be of 4.
>> then others join: until one group does not reach the 5 "natives" each one would be guest of all, when one group reach the critical mass its new member will no longer be adjoint to nearby groups.
>> (they can, but only on their choice: who register for a small group would automatically be registred as guest in the nearest groups, until one registre in a group that has at least the critical mass)
>> When one group in the area reach the critical mass all "guests" of other group will be asked if they want to retain membership only for the that one, if a second one reach that mass all guests in other group will have the option to move there (and at same time when will be two critical mass groups one has the option to choose).
>> the joining to other group is automatical, but one can decide to resign from any unwanted group; a request to explicitely join a second group make the requestor "native" even for that group, but does not ask to join other groups.
>
> Then again, I agree with you that we geographical "distances" should
> matter more in BeWelcome. These days there are good ressources for
> "proximity searches" out there which could make the life of our members
> much easier. E.g. instead of showing you the next visiting member in
> town, we could show you the next visiting member within 50km distance.
>
> Did you check out the URLs I wrote down in my previous email?

Yes, but i am trying to figure it with hundreds of places.
>

Leonardo Boselli
Firenze, Toscana, Italia, Europa
http://freedom.dicea.unifi.it/~leo/toscana