If you follow my Twitter stream or listen to my weekly podcast , youll know that the question of whether I think FourSquare and Gowalla are shiny objects is a loaded one. Companies like Tasti D-Lite have started to figured this out by feeding their reward programs through point of purchase experiences which in turn check users into social sites like Twitter and FourSquare. Even if were not connected, many people cross-post their FourSquare and Gowalla status to their Facebook and Twitter pages. In fact I would say Twitter has a better chance of creating a stir. MORE >>

Last night, my friend and former colleague, Rusty Williams , sent me a direct message on Twitter alerting me to the fact that I was on the precipice of a milestone. Over the last four and half years that I've been on Twitter, I've met some amazing people and my family and I have benefited from this experience both personally and professionally. Just leave the name of the cause, the link and a quick blurb as to why this cause is important to you in the comments below and I will make sure it gets tweeted to the people I'm connected with on Twitter. Just think about it. MORE >>

Also keep an eye on key people like Chris Brogan and Robert Scoble's Twitter streams. Or you can send me a link via Twitter @aaronstrout. Originally posted on December 7, 2010 Every year, I have a few new friends that ask me if I have any tips for them as they get ready for SXSW -- an interactive, film and music extravaganza! Today, my friend Christine Perkett let me know that she was taking her maiden voyage to Austin next spring for this very event. My promise to her was an insider's guide to "South-by" as it's referred to by us geeks. And by first thing, I mean now. Today. MORE >>

Places appeals to the masses, not the early adopters - Mike Schneider and I were going back and forth earlier on Twitter about how disappointed he was in the lack of innovation on Places. wasn't going to abandon Foursquare anyway since some check ins I post to Twitter, others to Facebook, very few both, and some just to 4SQ. Most amazing to me is that if it weren't for the fact that I pay attention to what is being said in the blogosphere and on Twitter, I would have never known FB had turned Places on. months ago Venn Diagrams - *Is Twitter a Human Right? MORE >>

Any of you that follow me on Facebook or Twitter also know that I am a HUGE Red Sox fan so after a long, baseball-less winter, I get really excited about things like Truck day because it means that the season is just around the corner. Nearly two and a half years ago I announced that I was packing up my belongings and moving down to Austin from a place I had called home for most of my life. As you can imagine, getting acquired is not an insignificant thing. tried to convey some of this excitement in the post I wrote on the day we announced the acquisition. Now it's time to PLAY BALL! MORE >>