Mashable - The Social Media Guide - Latest Comments in WAYN Gets $11M for “MySpace of Travel”

Re: WAYN Gets $11M for “MySpace of Travel”

Gabriel Raj — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 07:04:41 -0000

Dear Friends of WAYN,
It is really inteesting one to read the websites of Idayam Social Welfare Mission and the services that has been done by Mr.Solomon.Really I would like to do something for his on going community services tothe society.All Religions teach about the love and the help to human being and I also from the depth of the heart wish him all success in his community services.I will do some help to him by my money that I had deposited in the Bank.

Thanking you
By
Gabriel Raj

Re: WAYN Gets $11M for “MySpace of Travel”

ruby — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 02:34:59 -0000

what a horribly aggressive signup - two thumbs down

Re: WAYN Gets $11M for “MySpace of Travel”

Solomon,President IDSOWEM — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 12:58:18 -0000

Iam pleased by this wonderful website.It has paved way all friends to joint togethe and also to share the joys and happiness and agony and worry in in life.Iam pleased to share my community services through it.Please read the below given profile of Idayam Social Welfare Mission[IDSOWEM]

IDAYAM SOCIAL WELFARE MISSION [IDSOWEM][Anon-profitable Charitable Trust, Registered under Charitable Trust Act] is a local indigenous,
non-denominational, non-profit making Private Voluntary Organization (PVO) whose mission is to build the welfare of the people of India including The Southern States of India especially Tamil Nadu through moral, spiritual, physical ,Unity and Integrity among Indians, updating Brotherhood currently, The Mission has under taken its programmes in districts of Tamil Nadu.We have so far conducted so many Seminars on Child Birth Contorl,Environemental Programmes,Free Legal Aid Service Campaign, Voice against Deforestation, Eradication of castism system, Aids Awareness Programmes,Free Education Teaching to Adults, Free Tuition and Education Teaching to Poor and Orphan Students those who are in Huts and in Slumbers Area, Voices Against The Cruel Dowry System, AIDS Awareness among Brothel/Prostitutes, Condoms distribution to poor illiterate people, Welfares of Widows, Welfares of Aged People Programmes,Eradication of Child Labour,Human Rights Awareness Programmes,Recommending the Poor Women to Start Self Help Groups to Develop Their Economical Condition and the Status of Life and Education of Their Children in the Society,Education development care centers at the huts of Orphan/Poor Children,Recommanding The Government's Social Welfare Departments the status of Illiteracy,Overwhelming Child Birth, Need of Pure Water Plantation and Social Economical conditions.

OUT LINE OF INDIA:
The Indus Valley civilization, one of the oldest in the world, dates back at least 5,000 years. Aryan tribes from the northwest invaded about 1500 B.C.; their merger with the earlier Dravidian inhabitants created the classical Indian culture. Arab incursions starting in the 8th century and Turkish in the 12th were followed by those of European traders, beginning in the late 15th century. By the 19th century, Britain had assumed political control of virtually all Indian lands. Indian armed forces in the British army played vital role in both World Wars. Non violent resistance to British colonialism led by Mohandas GANDHI and Jawaharlal NEHRU brought independence in 1947. The subcontinent was divided into the secular state of India and the smaller Muslim state of Pakistan. In1971 East Pakistan becoming the separate nation of Bangladesh. Despite impressive gains in economic investment and output, India faces pressing problems such as the ongoing dispute with Pakistan over Kashmir, massive overpopulation, environmental degradation, extensive poverty, and ethnic and religious strife.India, a country since attaining her independence on 15thAugust, 1947 has had more than a fair share of instabilities due to Over Population, Even India is a big Democracy Country next to USA with several customs,cultures,convention with thousands of local languages and so many Religious beliefs, She has its own merits and demerits also.Multi-political Parties intrigues, Corruption, Caste System, Religious Enmity, Languages Indifference, mutual Corruption, Poverty, greed and all sorts of human weaknesses. Resultant to these wide spread human sufferings for our people, the chaos in and among our People due to illiteracy, Over Population, The Projects Corrupted by Politicians has been the main cause of the several thousand innocent Poor Children, Child Labour,Once in India The Cruel Barbaric system of SATHI left a multitude of widows, Illiterate Daughters/Sons and inestimatable number of orphans. In addition to that, is the devastating blow to the population by the AIDS scourge, which is considered to be more severe since both parents perish leaving their offspring's on their own. It is against this background that Idayam Social Welfare Mission Initiative came into existence to address the above problems through dedicating our Social Services.

A STUDY OF IDSOWEM OF ORPHAN CHILDREN/STUDENTS:

Thousands and thousands of kids are scattered around the India with no families, no homes, and no futures. Abandoned, forgotten, and unneeded. We call them orphans. They call themselves... simply children.
They are just as affectionate, smart, funny, and at times sulky and misbehaving as our own sons and daughters. But they have no parents to hug them, no grandparents to send gifts on Christmas, no place to call their own once they finish school.
Some children need surgeries or medical care not budgeted in by local authorities. Others yearn for some educational opportunities or support once they are on their own.
Some are available for adoption and hope everyday to find love and security of a new home. Others still believe their relatives would take them in.
They all dream about something, be it mom and dad, or a hearing aid, or just a toy and a card for Birthday to know they are not alone. It would be impossible for any single person to save them all. But focus on just one child and you can change his/her world forever.

A STUDY OF WOMEN:
It is generally presumed that those who visit brothels men living away from their families and, therefore looking for an option to satisfy their sexual needs.But recent study has revealed that married men,especially those living with thir spouses are equally likely to frequent brothels or abuse trafficked girls.

The Study sponsored by the National Human Rights Commission and Unifem and conducted by the Institute of Social Sciences across twelve States found that 45.5% of the clients were married and among them, 72.9% were living with spouses. As many as 54.5%of the married clientele had wieves aged below 35.
The high level of exploitation and vulnaerability of children are also highlighted.Among the trafficked girls, 20.7% were below 18 and a majority was pushed in to the trade at a very young age.

The study showed that a girl in a brothel dealt with an average of of seven clients per day and most of them had no right to choose. They had no choice regarding the use of condoms or safe sex practices.As many as 32.3% were suffering from HIV,30% from STD and 17% from other gynecological problems.

More than 60%victims of commercial sexual exploitation were also victims of child marriage.The extreme vulnerability of children and a high demand for them for commercial exploitation is established by the fact that 22.9% had been pushed in to brothels even while they were less than 16 and 21.4%while they were in the 16-17 age group.

Shockingly the data show that 50% of the traffickers were women. Though the trafficker adopted different modus operandi,51.9% lured the victim with job offers and 16.3% with false promises of marriage.Almost 50% of traffickers focused on rural areas for recruitment.

The failure of Government in in rehabilitation is reflected in the high re-trafficking rate .The study found 17.5%had been rescued once earlier ,1.8%rescued twice before, and 6.6%rescued more than twice.It was also found that more than 57.5 had been arrested earlier, without proper ehabilitation,they have no option but to eturn to the brothels.

The failue to arrest exploitation in brothels is highlighted by the fact that 34.5% of the brothel owners never faced any police action during peceding one year and 53.4% of them had avoided arrest by bribing police officials.

The study based on interviews of more than 4000 persons demonstrated that more often than not the trafficked victims are the ones who who are convicted and fined..Under the exsiting judicial system, the prosecution has to prove the case against the offender beyond reasonable doubt.This puts a lot of pressure on the victim to convincingly present her case.

In our IDSOWEMTAKEâ€™S special study it is found that In most of the cases even the judiciary know very well that the particular accused has 100% chances of committing of a particular offences, but due to the failure of police officials to establish the case against culprits ,the circumstances compels the judicial to adopt the theory of "Benefit of Doubt" which means if prosecution if failed to prove his/her case in the Court against accused, Courts will automatically adopt this theory and will release the so-called accused from their liabilities.
Consequently, these people's health system, educational awareness and economic base have been totally destroyed propelling the population into a vicious cycle of ill-health, illiteracy, low school attendance by these women's children, environmental degradation, low food/nutrient feeding to their children, These women have migrated from rural to urban area to do their so called this very old flesh trade.due to eradicate their poverty line, Our Mission have great concern of these people and recommending to do small Trade/Industry forming small shops with provissions,Self help group forming etc.

OUR MISSION TO TSUNAMI VICTIMS:
The mostly affected places in the State of Tamil Nadu [one of States of
India]is the Districts namely [1]Kanyakumari[2]Nagapattinam[3]Chennai
In these three Districts in Kanyakumari District only[Clouchel Seashore side]
368 people were died on 26th December 2004 due to the cruel and selfish Sea
attack of Tsunami.Soon after attack of the Tsunami in Clouchel on that date
[26th December 2004] We, Members and Volunteers of Idsowem applied its mind to rush to the spot and assisted the Fisher Men and Women.We helped and assisted to rescue and to Cary the dead bodies of Tsunami Victims to Hospital.Our Volunteers under the head of Mr. E.S.Manaian had done so many selfless services to these victims.Our Volunteers namely S.Renga Ravi, Mrs.Shunmuga Sundari, Miss.Johnsi,S.Mr .Ramesh ,Mr.Subbharayalu Reddy.Our Founder of IDSOWEM From the very next day onwards
Visited all these three Districts which were very cruely affected by Tsunami attack. Our immensive services to Tsunami Victims dated 26th December 2006 is detaily published "KALAI MANNA"Tamil Daily News Paper.If you interested we are ready to forward to you all in the coming days.Among those who lost their lives are Mostly Chi ldren and Women.Among those Children alive,some of the Children have lost their faith,some of them have lost their mother and yet some Children have neither brother nor sister. Among those who alive as Adults most of the women have lost their beloved husband and some of the men have lost their lovely spouses.In all these three Districts most of the people are under the clutches of "physical and Mental Agony".In order to boost
these people our Idsowem Volunteers under the head of founder of Idsowem have visited places like Chennai,Nagapattinam and Clouchel and have conducted seminars and workshops on"mental and physical strength.Our Services on mental strengthening the Tsunami victims is published in daily News Papers.On behalf of Idsowem for the welfare of Tsunami victims we have distributed so many welfare schemes.Most of Private Volunteers Organization[PVO]paid most of the attention on getting and titling their names in the daily news paper with pictures but as far as Idsowem is concerned it paid attention only on the welares of these Victims in all these three Districts in Tamil Nadu.
26 Children those who born on 26th of December 2004 at Seashore of Nagapattinam District have celebrated their first birth day on 26th Dec.2005 with embracing with their parents in memory of Tsunami.These kind of celebration have given gay and joy to those who under the clutches of fear of Tsunami.Eventhough all these 26 Children have different names their pet name is"MASTER TSUNAMI". Since most of the Children under the clutches of fear of Tsunami, they feel great fear without their knowledge even if they just saw the tide of Sea to bring these Children to normal condition we have taught so many moral story strengthen them in physically and mentally. We have conducted
seminars also to Adults inorder to strengthen them physically and mentally. In Kanya Kumari District in India mostly affected villages due to Tsunami are [1]Clouchel[2] AzHikal, Pillai Thoppu[3]Kottipadu[4]Chottha Vilai[5]Sangudurai.

A PECULIAR STATEMENT/INTERVIEW OF MRS.ARUMAINAYAGI OF AZHIKKAL VILLAGE NOW SHE HAS BECOME WIDOW DUE TO HER HUSBAND'S DEATH IN TSUNAMI ATTACK ON 26/12/2004:
"I got married 25 years back. My husband's native is Chennai District. We have no Children. As do not want to live in Chennai due to high expenditures in daily walk of life and in addition to it since it was a Metropolitan City so that we came here in to the Village of Azhikal[one Sea shore Village in Kanyakumari District which was severally affected due to Tsunami attack on 26th December 2004]and established a small Provisional store and led the peace full life with our average daily in come. We have no Children out of our married life. To whom I was Child and to me he was Child. While the day on Tsunami attacked on 26th Dec.2004 he was in the provisional store and I was in my hut. All of sudden the sea water came and full down him in to sea.Since he was with un conscious
Carried him to 'Rajakamangalam Hospital'.The Hospital Authority told that due to the all of sudden of Tsunami attack and he was rolled in the sea waves he is affected by the Cardiac arrest. After 10 days gap I conveyed my husband to Bangalore [India] take some What better treatment since his own sister is living there in. Even we showed him to Doctors there in it was not possible to get him normal so that he was died there in so I Simply buried him there in without any Religious Rituals and customs and came back To my Seashore village Azhikal.When I approached the Revenue Authority for compensations since my husband was died due to Tsunami attack, but they refused to give me
even a single welfare schemes. 'Now what I will do in this World? I had only one source that is my beloved husband now I have lost him also'.It was very difficult to control her from her agony.She was full of sorrow and tears. Above cited story is one of the stories among so many stories and due to lack of time it is not possible to tell you all stories. But our immensive services to Tsunami Victims is a mile stone in our path of Social Services to the Society since Idsowem was established in 1991.We willing and eager to do so many welfare schemes to the victims of Tsunami, but due to the lack of fund insufficient it is not possible to impement all kind of welfare schemes.Most of the Children of Tsunami Victims in need of good medical treat ment,health schemes and good Neutrino food and also excellent education in order to build their future without fear And worry. We have decided to establish an orphanage for the welfare of All Orphan
Of those who have lost their parents due to Tsunami attack on 26thDecember 2004. We request all of you pray for these innocent people especially for the poor orphan Children,in case if you were not in a position to do any help through IDSOWEM since "Prayer is the Victory."The Bible says

HE WHO IS KIND TO THE POOR LENDS TO LORD, AND HE WILL REWARD HIM FOR WHAT HE HAS DONE.

PROVERBS CHAPTER: 19 VERSES 17.

MISSION TOCHILDLABOUR:
In our search the main reason for the up coming of the Child Labour Juvenile offenders is nothing but their bad envionement, family's poverty conditions,Illiteracy are the main reasons. In order to eradicate these social evils among the youths and Child Labourers we are taking steps to establish an Orphanage by name "Idayam Youths Welfare Home".Even though the Government has enacted so many Law in order to eradicate the Child Labour as there is no awareness among the parents and in the Society it is not possible to eradicate it.Most of the parents have so many Children especially female Children.As I had been indicated in above the cruel dowry system still exists in India ,The dowry means during the time of marriage more particularly at the time of engagement the parents of the Bride should give a huge Sum and so many Sovereign of Gold to the parents of Bridegroom as a gifts inorder to Bridegroom accept his partner as his wife. The quantum of dowry will increase to high according to the family status and the profession of bridegroom. In case for example if the parents of the bride didn't give the dowry as suggested by the parents of bridegroom from the very first day of first night itself the Bride should under go harassments by the parents of the bridegroom. In Tamil Nadu in some of the parts parents kill the female child soon after she borns.They think it I great burden to to get marry them. Even the female child wanted to continue her school educations most of the parents will not allow to start her education because the parents of these girls think that if she educated ;who will give bridegroom' Most of the female child toped their education after primary level.Most of the parents poisioning their second female child.Eventhough the Constitution of Republic of India says 'Primary education is important and compulsory under the age 14 both male and female,'since there is no awareness among the Public in general it is not possible to implement properly.Most of the parents are illiterate and they do not know except eat,drink and to be merry with his wife. In addition to it as you India is in second of population next to China. Even the Government Advertise that 'we two our two' it is not still reached the public properly. In our research we found that most of the youth, especially Child Labourers going to the wok places like Workshops,Companys,Factories,Hotels,Tea Stalls and to the Food Stuffs due to the poverty of the family.Most of the illiterate man in India earn even below 1$ per day. As far as female youths are concerned they going to the Factories like Garments, Cigars for rolling, In our research we found that 'Child Labourers are not born but made'. The circumstances which has let them to this kind of situation especially to face all kind of social evils in this sojourn World. Due to the family circumstances most of the female girls between the age of 12 to 16 are foced to do prostitution.Some times at night even her own father compels her to lay in the intoxication mood. In addition to it most of the poor families are living in Pavements, High way Streets, Pavements and
also under the Bridge where these type of youths are forced to do prostitution in order to feed them due to poverty,etcâ€¦Our Mission has decided to adopt the
Following methods of services
a) To develop and improve the social economic conditions of the Parents of Child Labouers
b) To raise educational awareness aming these Child Labourers as well as their parents.
c) To raise the local skills and expertise in farming methods.
d) To improve the health and nutritional standards of the Child Labourers community.
e) To improve the earning capacity of the Parents of Child Labourers.
f) To improve and develop the moral, and spiritual behaviours of the Child Labourers community.

FUTUREPROGRAMME/TARGETOF IDSOWEMTAKE:
1. Planning and implementing community development and educational projects.
2. Planning and implementing self-help projects.
3. Planting health centres and Community Centers
4. National Integrated community development schemes.
5. Integrated community development programmes for socially and financially disadvantaged children.
6. Widows and disabled projects
7. Sustainable agricultural projects.
8. Aids control and mitigation program.
9. Men, Women and Youth projects
10. Environmental rehabilitation and protection program.
11. Functional adult education program
12. Micro-Finance enterprise projects.
13. Human Rights Program
14. Child care education sponsorship program
15. Emergency Relief Programs
16. Computer training programme / Internet Programme (Tele-centres.).
17. Water and Sanitation program
18, Aged Homes Establishing programme

TARGET GROUPS:
IDSOWEM does not discriminate any person by gender, race, political or religion when it comes to community development.
Our target groups are the people both in urban and rural areas who are socially disadvantaged, economically active but poor, Illiterates and in poor health.

.
IDSOWEMTAKE OPERATIONPOLICIES:
1IDSOWEM establishes community based development care centres on Division, county or sub-county level through volunteers.
2.- This PVO mainly enters in partnership with churches, schools and organized community groups.
3.- The established centres are governed by the Initiative but the administration of the centres is managed by the beneficiaries.
4.- The organization reserves the right to make final decisions on matters concerning the projects within the centre.
5. - The local community makes a contribution to fund the establishment of the centre in order to create a sense of ownership of the development programme within the centre and this contribution is for processing documents, photographs, communication between centres and the Head office, training centre leaders in the project planning, management and transport, it also helps in finding agencies to support the proposed developmental projects within the centre. Therefore the contribution is non-refundable.

CURENT ACTIVITIES:
As already mentioned IDSOWEMTAKE has already conducted so many seminars in developing of care centres in various districts of India About1000 socially disadvantaged children who need assistance towards their education, health and general welfare, have already been identified and registered. We are in the process of looking for possible sponsors. Elder orphans and needy children have also been identified; and these need vocational training for most of them have reached ages which do not allow them to attend formal primary education. Illiterate elders have also been identified and registered. We are looking for a donor who can assist us in building a pool of funds to run this project. Other activities are not put into action due to lack of resources.

ACHIEVEMENTS:

IDSOWEMTAKE has managed to achieve the following:
1] Carried out and identified peopleâ€™s problems.
2)Established community development care awareness programmes.
3) Registered 1000 needy children and orphans among them so many receiving educational care from us.
4 Conducted about 20 Child Labourers eradication seminars.
5) Managed to teach adult education to illiterate Community.
6. We have brought to the notice of Government the problem of Community
7) We have conducted the so many Human Rights Awareness Programmes.
8) Carried out seminars and workshops in project planning, implementation and management at the centres for beneficiaries, centre leaders, social workers, and other responsible people.
9) Managed to sponsor some of the registered children mentioned above for the welfare and future of them.

PROBLEMS AND CHALLENGES:
a) The organization lacks seed money in operating its duties.
b) The organization has limited staff due to lack of funds to pay for their services.
c) The mission lacks resources most especially for training our partners in different skills.
d) The organization has no reliable transport of its own.
e) The organization faces a great challenge of expectations from community members thinking that it has a lot of money. They expect quick results thinking that programmes can materialize in a very short time, while there is need for long term planning.
f) The organization depends on local contribution from community, which is very little and not reliable.

POSSIBLE AREAS OF CO OPERATION:
1. IDSOWEMTAKE needs to be included in all workshops organized by the Secretariat of the children either local or international.
2. It needs to share information with Secretariat of the Children and other organizations, which can lead to the development and improvement of its services.
3. The organization needs to be assisted with training facilities so that it can organize seminars and workshops for its partners at the local level.
4. It needs assistance in finding and getting donors who can fund its priority programmes most especially those which involve: (a) Micro finance programmes. (b) Child Care Sponsorship Programmes. (c) AIDS Control and eradication of child labourers programmes.

OUR FUTURE PLANS:
The local people's efforts alone need considerable supplement if the original status and wanted development is to be achieved.
The plans consist of a number of related sequential steps;
a) a statement of policy
b) a statement of objectives
c) The action plan itself consists of programmes
d) The prioritization of those programmes.
IDSOWEMTAKE seeks to further its aims and aspirations if you and us can come together to fight together.

DEVELOPMENT POLICY:
The basic policy is to reconstruct and rehabilitate the areaâ€™s infrastructure and return it to at least its former productive position remembering that this in itself will not be enough, as the world has moved further since these areas started experiencing negative development. This needs a well coordinated plan.

DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES:
The above policy therefore suggests that the well-being programme for these areas should be divided into number of phases, which indicate the urgency of the need and priority activities. The short-term objectives of rehabilitating the areaâ€™s productive asset and social infrastructure. The long-term objectives of initiating or promoting means intended to uplift the peopleâ€™s living standards, at least to an acceptable minimum level.

ACTION PLAN
Because of the over population, work needs to be done in virtually every sector. All things however, cannot be done at once, thus particularly due to limited resources and partially because of the need to phase certain things sequentially, a chart indicating prioritization of establishing an orphanage for both males and females has been drafted. Since the programmes will be too large for any sponsor is limited by time, there is need to solicit for funds from many sources. Due to in sufficients of funds it is not possible to chive our targets.
We request the general public to donate us to a chive this Society programmes.Even though there is available man power, but due to in sufficients of funds it is not possible to achieve the targets in time. You shall send your donations to us through Demand drafts, Cheques, Euro Dollars and US Dollars. You also shall get receipt for your donations from us,we,mean receipts for what sum you are donating to us for the welfares of future target and also to the present works which is going on.

CONCLUSION:
Realistically speaking
IDAYAM SOCIAL WELFARE MISSION [IDSOWEM] attempt towards rehabilitation, reconstruction and development should be viewed and judged in its full and proper context. It is the people who have willingly requested the mission to work together with them so that they can improve their standards and conditions of living on self basis.
When these people at the grassroots who are the contributor to the national economy receive proper guidance, funding and capacity building, the unpleasant problems of object poverty, ignorance, disease, unemployment, illiteracy, environment developmental degradation and rural to urban migration and many others will then be circumvented.
I therefore welcome your support for the development and improvement of the condition of living for our people in particular and the country at large.

TO CONTACT US:
Managing Trustee
[Idsowem]
C/O Mr.Salomon
18/C, Petchamuthu Dass Compond
St.Pals Nagar.Palyankotta&Post
Postal Code-627002.TN.India.

Email address:
idayamservices@yahoo.co.in

[To avoid delay all correspondence through email appreciated]

TO SEND DONATION DIRECTLY BANK TO BANK:

BANK ADDRESS:

The Managing Trustee
Idayam Social Welfare Mission
Bank Account Number:7235
The Fedral Bank Limited
Tirunelveli-Branch.Kailasapuram.
Tirunelveli-Junction.Postal Code-627001
Tamil Nadu.India.

Re: WAYN Gets $11M for “MySpace of Travel”

old yeller — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 16:05:41 -0000

"The latest MySpace stuff from Mashcodes:"

I think WAYN is overrated; the idea is very good and the potential is there, but the implementation is poor; ugly and crowded interface designed for kids, not for travellers.
Watch this space for the real Travel danielle fischel - coming soon.

Re: WAYN Gets $11M for “MySpace of Travel”

Andrea — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 09:47:55 -0000

Re: WAYN Gets $11M for “MySpace of Travel”

nnatalie — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 04:29:16 -0000

I disagree with some opinion, i think that WAYN? side is really great idea, because at firstly it enable you to keep in touch with your friends all over the world, or meet someone interesting, maybe big love... ;) and secondly you have unlimited access to: WAYN Instant Messenger, unlimited emails, eCards and access to the WAYN chatboards, discounted SMS, increased photo storage and many, many moreâ€¦

So i strongly suggest!!!

Re: WAYN Gets $11M for “MySpace of Travel”

Cesar Garcia — Sun, 07 Jan 2007 23:45:26 -0000

WAYN is horrible. It seems like its for a 10 year old. Those VC's must have had alot to drink! I get spammed ALL the time by WAYN.

Have not had any problem with tripmates. It seems cool if ever I wanna find romance while I travel.

I like mytripz.com for sharing trip info with friends and good ole citysearch to learn about restaurants and stuff.

Re: WAYN Gets $11M for “MySpace of Travel”

Erin — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 04:45:53 -0000

I havent joined WAYN yet - but a friend of mine told me to stay away from tripmates - he apparently joined and they got his contact details and spammed all his address book - I think they all doing that now, bebo, WAYN, tripmates, linkedin - whos next?

Re: WAYN Gets $11M for “MySpace of Travel”

ernst — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 15:28:39 -0000

Tripmates doesn't spam like WAYN, but still let's you find people traveling to your destination, as well as keep track of your friends' travels. Some of my London friends who are sick of WAYN turned me onto it.

Re: WAYN Gets $11M for “MySpace of Travel”

Carla Menguez — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 03:17:19 -0000

I am not sure about invites on WAYN as I am actually a member so I wouldnt receive any ;) however, having checked tripconnect this morning, I found it quite interesting...They have indeed done a very nice Copy and Paste of WAYN.com! ahaaha - check out tripmates, gusto..., they all at it!!

Re: WAYN Gets $11M for “MySpace of Travel”

popol — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 16:16:14 -0000

How funny to read these posts - looks like a few people from Tripconnect posting on here to put WAYN down ;) I joined WAYN ages ago - quite cool from my view but I am more of a HI5 fan! Hi5 is THE money is you want to meet people from all over the place. And guess what? I used to get bombarded by invites from hi5 - and from Tripconnects too by the way! so for some of you on here that still dont know this, wakey wakey: online communities work because you can invite your friends. Ever received an invite from bebo? Linked in? Hi5? How about PLaxo? They all do...Thats the nature of online communities. BUt the reality is that there will always be some people out there that just dont read out instructions. To be fair to WAYN, their import and invite friends couldnt be clearer. YOu can only blame those that have invited you in the first place. And if you dont like it, just opt out. I think this investment is going to be interesting for WAYN - will be good to see what they do with it as the site needs some upgrades on some parts - found it a bit slow at times but their concept has been clearly well thought through

Re: WAYN Gets $11M for “MySpace of Travel”

Lawrenced — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 15:50:45 -0000

Wheres all the fuss on all this - some people like it, others dont. So what. I think the concept of travel with social networking is actually a good one and WAYN seems to have a good mix to it. Best of luck with it

Re: WAYN Gets $11M for “MySpace of Travel”

Paul Durban — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 15:47:06 -0000

I like WAYN actually - bee on it for some time now and managed to reunited with old friends - yes, there are always invites like in most social communities but WAYN actually useful. I found Tripconnect very clunky and hard to get - good work on the $11m and lets see where this goes - will be interesting!

Re: WAYN Gets $11M for “MySpace of Travel”

Jamie Kiffel-Alcheh — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 12:06:53 -0000

Sites like these are created in the interest of The Man, really, the 60s version--that is, the oppressive corporate machine--and not in our interests. How ironic for a site that is meant to cater to young, often half-broke travelers! I just discovered http://www.Tripconnect.com, and so far, I'm really happy with it. The people who subscribe are actually interested in travel, and have a lot of advice to give. I haven't been spammed, and I enjoy the profile aspect (even if there aren't any color-changing bells and whistles).

Re: WAYN Gets $11M for “MySpace of Travel”

j Simpson — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 11:01:51 -0000

Agree with James - these "social" sites that use spamming like a virus give the sites that behave properly a bad name. Sites like TripConnect have been working on this idea for a while and are much better, and sites like realtravel, virtualtourist and travelpost also are user generated but don't use a wily tactic like spamming all your contacts with virtually no warning to you. Seems like this vc firm didn't "due" its due diligence.

Re: WAYN Gets $11M for “MySpace of Travel”

James Straw — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 10:37:48 -0000

A much better site that doesn't spam like WAYN is Tripconnect.com, very much THE social network for travel I'd say.

Re: WAYN Gets $11M for “MySpace of Travel”

lilith — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 05:50:18 -0000

well honestly...great place to meet new people....it is really cool place great people.....:) good work guys ;) use this 11 mln wisely

Re: WAYN Gets $11M for “MySpace of Travel”

alf — Mon, 27 Nov 2006 20:10:25 -0000

What a waste of $11m. The only reason I have a WAYN account is because I can't be arsed to find out how to delete it.

The service is annoying to sign up for, annoying to use, and annoying in general (they love spamming my inbox too).

A lemon if ever I saw one.

Re: WAYN Gets $11M for “MySpace of Travel”

Jianing — Mon, 27 Nov 2006 15:22:32 -0000

You can't do anything without signing up, and the sing up process is so pesky, and, you still can't do anything after signing up. It's a loser in my book.

Re: WAYN Gets $11M for “MySpace of Travel”

sholto — Mon, 27 Nov 2006 15:02:46 -0000

yep, very overrated and underuseful. I never got anything out of this which is the point of social web

Re: WAYN Gets $11M for “MySpace of Travel”

Tim Hibbard — Mon, 27 Nov 2006 13:54:04 -0000

It almost Social Geocoding. If they offered the ability to consume a location based data feed, I might be interested.

Re: WAYN Gets $11M for “MySpace of Travel”

Stephen Davies — Mon, 27 Nov 2006 13:49:33 -0000

One of the most annoying websites in the world too. They love spamming my inbox...