FAQ
• What is CityCircles?
• Give me an example of how someone would use this.
• How do I get started?
• Then what do I do?
• I want to contribute. Where do I start?
• How do I use CityCircles on my cell phone?
• Why should I use this product?
• If I don't like it, can I opt out?
• What makes CityCircles different from what is already out there?
• What are the core functions of CityCircles?
• Who uses this?
• How is CityCircles funded?
• Are you a nonprofit?
• How can businesses participate?
• What information can I get from the portal?
• How can I contact CityCircles?
CityCircles is a website (optimized for your mobile phone) and a mobile service that provides stop by stop information for Phoenix’s light rail. Information includes news, events, and promotions all within a 5-block radius of each light rail stop.
Give me an example of how someone would use this.
It's noon and I’m starving! I get on the rail and head downtown. I check CityCircles on my phone to see if anyone downtown is having a lunch special. I see The Daily Grind is offering a 20% off discount for CityCircles users today. I’m there.
It's rush hour and I can’t wait to get home. The train I’m on has come to a halt and I have no idea what’s going on. Frustrated, I check CityCircles for any breaking news along the rail and notice a news post for an accident on the rail line. At least now I know what we’re dealing with…
It's Friday night and I’m bored. I check out CityCircles and notice there’s an event on Central and Camelback. I also see that Hula’s has a special tonight for CityCircles users. Sounds like a great night.
Sign in or register. It's fast, easy and free! Fill in your profile with hobbies, interests, a profile picture, etc. Choose the light rail stop(s) that you care about. You can change and edit your profile at any time by clicking on "Settings." Your profile will keep track of all your contributions and posts to CityCircles.
Click on any stop icon and the site will automatically populate with information relevant to that stop. You’ll see news, events, promotions, networking, stuff, and fix it project for the selected stop.
Clicking on each category will take you to a list of all posts. Clicking on each individual post will provide you with more information.
I want to contribute. Where do I start?
Click the plus sign on the upper right hand side, or click the plus arrow next to each category to start.
Choose the stop affiliated with your posting.
Choose your content type.
Choose your exact location by clicking on the map.
Enter a headline and a bodyof text and click "Submit."
How do I use CityCircles on my phone?
If you are a registered Twitter user, you can post information for the light rail community on CityCircles from your phone. Once you register, go to your Twitter homepage and click "Settings." Then click "Mobile," add your phone number and turn your device updates "on." You are now ready to post to CityCircles from your phone with text messaging (standard rates apply). Here's how:
Step 1: Send a text message to "40404."
Step 2: In the message, type "@citycirc," then type one of the shorthand names for the light rail stop you are writing about:
19mon - 19th Avenue / Montebello
19cam - 19th Avenue / Montebello
7cam - 7th Avenue / Camelback
cencamp - Central Avenue / Campbell
cenind - Central Avenue /Indian School
cenosb - Central Avenue / Osborn
centho - Central Avenue / Thomas
cenenc - Central Avenue / Encanto
cenmcd - Central Avenue - McDowell
cenroo - Central Avenue / Roosevelt
1van - First Avenue / Van Buren
cenvan - Central Avenue / Van Buren
1was - First Street / Washington
1jeff - First Street / Jefferson
3was - Third Street / Washington
3jeff - Third Street / Jefferson
12was - 12th Street / Washington
12jeff - 12th Street / Jefferson
24was - 24th Street / Washington
24jeff - 24th Street / Jefferson
38was - 38th Street / Washington
44was - 44th Street / Washington
priwas - Priest Drive / Washington
cenwas - Central Avenue / Washington
mil3 - MIll Avenue / Third Street
col5 - College Avenue / Fifth Street
ruruni - Rural Road / University
dorapa - Dorsey Lane / Apache
mccapa - McClintock Drive / Apache
smiapa - Smith / Apache Boulevard
priapa - Price Road / Apache
sycmai - Sycamore / Main Street
Step 3: Type the first letter of the type of information you are writing about. That's:
n - News
e - Events
p - Promotions
nw - Networks
s - Stuff
f - Fix it
Examples
It's 5 p.m. on a Monday, and you're at the Central Avenue and Campbell light rail station. A car has struck the train nearby, and you want to let everyone know about it. Here's your text message to "40404":
"@citycirc cencamp n guess what everyone... the train ride just got longer. Car vs. train accident near Central/Campbell. No one hurt."
It's 9 a.m. on a Saturday, and you want to invite people to come to a Spanish-language meetup at Mill's End Cafe. Here's your text message to "40404":
"@citycirc mil3 e Attn fellow linguists. Se habla cafe? Come meet up with other gringos to practice ur Spanish. Mill's End Cafe, 10 a.m."
You're done! Your message(s) will appear on the map and on the Website within moments.
Why should I use this product?
To enhance your personal and professional experiences around the light rail and within the Valley’s urban core; to take away the pain of feeling stranded without good information while on foot around the light rail; and whenever you come to downtown Phoenix, Tempe or Mesa – especially if you’re using light rail.
But really, you could also use some of our features if you’re on foot, on a bike, in your car or in your home if you want to know what's going on around the light-rail route and nearby neighborhoods.
You broaden and improve your choices and knowledge of areas around light-rail stops. We want to make your commute more productive and enjoyable. We want to enable new social groups to form based on common routes, interests, etc., and increase the reach of local businesses to this newly formed group.
If I don’t like it, can I opt out?
Absolutely. Details on that process will be forthcoming as we build the platform, but we guarantee it will be clear and simple. We want you to enjoy the experience.
What makes CityCircles different from what is already out there?
We offer relevant information in one place. CityCircles will offer hyperlocal content focused on the city core, with an emphasis on mass transit. We want to break through the clutter that already exists online and offer location-specific information and encourage the user to explore (and be involved in) the city.
What are some of the core functions of CityCircles?
There are three major aspects to the portal:
· Location-specific information,
· Social networking that allows users to collaborate with one another in meaningful ways using that information,
· Mobile tools that allow the community to take that with them wherever they go.
Who uses this?
Anyone looking to explore his or her city. Anyone looking to find things to do, things to eat, people to meet, and events to attend based mostly on light rail or mass transit.
How is CityCircles funded?
Our project is supported by a grant from the Knight Foundation, as well as individual contributions.
Are you a nonprofit?
No. We are a for profit company under Forrest Media Inc., which is independently owned and based in Phoenix, Arizona.
How can businesses participate in CityCircles?
We offer several services for merchant members. They include:
· Web advertising,
· Event and promotion listing on our map and stop pages,
· Test message campaigns,
· Email newsletter campaigns,
· Hosted meetups at merchant locations.
If you would like more details, please contact Aleks at aleks@citycircles.com or visit our Advertise page.
What information can I get from the portal?
During our launch phase, you will be have access to stop-by-stop information for:
· News
· Events
· Independent services/retailers
· Promotions
· Classifieds
· Meet-ups
· Networking opportunities
More information will be featured as we grow, so stay tuned. We will also update this page as the platform develops. Until then, please drop us a note for suggestions and ideas. We want to hear from you.
How can I contact CityCircles?
For editorial/content questions, contast Adam Klawonn at adam@citycircles.com. For merchant/partnership questions, contact Aleks Chojnacka at aleks@citycircles.com.
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