• Getting Started
• Checking In & Adding Places
• Check-In Process and Components
• Feed, Lifelog & Deck
• Community Overview
• Points, Rewards & $proto
• Badges, Transfers & $baingan

Overview

You can create or edit a Check-In in several ways. The easiest; is to do so from the Check-In button on your Home Screen. Other options include editing check-ins from your lifelog and feed, creating them from your trip stops and from the detailed check-in pages.

• Check-ins are made up of multiple components, you have the choice to complete them all at once or to do so sequentially over time.
• You can add more to check-in’s made by other users.
• You can edit check-in’s made by other users (if those check-in’s have been voted on by users on Deck)
• Components like Reviews, Ratings and Images are open for contribution always. This means that there is no upper limit to how many of these can be contributed to a particular check-in.
• Other components like Addresses, Location Name’s and Metadata can only be contributed once and are subject to review on the deck.
• More details about each component are available in this section.

Images

When you start creating a Check-In, your first option is to take pictures and add them to the Check-In.

• The standard check-in creation flow gives you the option of adding 4 images. You can do so live (i.e. on the spot by taking a picture on the app) or you can upload images from our phone as well.
  • Every contributed image is verified against the location provided. If these do not match, the image is not considered a valid contribution, and you do not receive points for it.
• Additionally, each image can be assigned a tag while uploading. Assigning tags helps us analyze them better and you get additional points for doing so.
  • Image tags have different connotations depending on the tag of the Check-in. You can refer to this Tag Guide for details.
• You can always contribute more images to any check-in on the app, by going to the feed or by going to your lifelog.
• When you upload images please make sure they are high quality. We define high quality images as:
  • The place being checked in at should be unobstructed and clearly visible.
  • The image must be clear without any blurriness, over or under exposed areas.
  • The image must be taken at a straight angle, either portrait or landscape. Any other mid angles with an odd rotation do not count toward your final points.
• Images of arbitrary objects, unrelated to the actual place or images that doe not represent the place you are capturing adequately are flagged and may lead to accounts being suspended for spam.

Location Name & Pin’s

After you add the images, the next step involves providing a location name and adjusting the pin.

Adjusting the Pin

When you are creating a check-in, sometimes the gps coordinates are not exact. To fix this, we allow you to move the pin on the map and adjust its location. Be as precise as possible when locating the pin, you can also zoom in and adjust this in a granular fashion.

Location Name

Location names are the most essential part of your check-in. Its a small task with high value. Whether you are checking in at a shop, restaurant or apartment building, each of these places have a name. And capturing that accurately is critical. When you add location names be mindful of:

• Spellings should be correct
• Make sure you capitalize the right letters
• Always write the names in ENGLISH ONLY
  • If the place you are checking in at does not have an english name:
    • Transliterate the name, do not translate. This means that you should type out the regional language name in English.
    • Examples
      • “नया भोजनालय” would be “Naya Bhojanalaya”
      • “कपड़े की दुकान” would be “Kapde ki Dukaan”
      • “ಕಿರಣ ಅಂಗಡಿ” would be “Kirana Angadi”
      • “বইয়ের দোকান” would be “Boiyera Dokaan”
      • “టిఫిన్ కొట్టు” would be “Tiffin Kottu”
    • Note that in all of these examples we are not translating the local language words, but only writing them in the English (roman) script.
• Location names are verified by other users on deck.

Addresses

Adding an address to your Check-In on Proto is crucial. It anchors your Point of Interest (Place) in a specific location, making it easily identifiable and accessible for other users. A precise address helps in creating a detailed and reliable map, enhancing the overall utility of the platform for everyone.

How to Find an Address

1. Check Nearest Door or Store Banners: Often, the easiest way to find an address is by looking at the nearest building's door number or store banners. These usually display the street name and number.
2. Local Landmarks: In many regions, especially in the global south, addresses are often described in relation to well-known landmarks. Note down any significant landmark near your PoI.
3. Ask Locals: When in doubt, ask local residents or shopkeepers. They're usually the best source for accurate address information.

Dealing with Address-less Locations

Many PoIs, like food stalls, carts, or natural features (like trees), may not have formal addresses. Here’s how to handle them:

1. Use Nearby Addresses: If the PoI is close to a location with an address, use that and describe the PoI’s location relative to it.
2. Describe the Location: If there are no nearby addresses, provide a detailed description of the location. Include information like nearby streets, crossings, or any distinctive features.

Adding Addresses on Proto

When you add an address on Proto, you’ll encounter four fields. Some of these fields will be pre-filled for you and some will be blank. You must check the pre-filled fields, correct them and add in the blank ones as well. The fields are:

1. Street: Include the street name where the PoI is located.
2. Locality or Neighborhood: Mention the broader area or locality. A local name is also fine, as long as its written in English.
3. Landmark: Landmarks are one of the important part of the check in process in Proto. If you are familiar with the city you are checking in at, this will be intuitive. If not, refer to how local people speak about a particular place, what they refer to when explaining routes or neighborhoods; this will point you to the landmark. Landmarks are typically well known institutional places like Schools, Religious places, Government buildings or Hospitals.
4. City and State: Finally, add the city and state for geographical context.

Maintaining Consistency

• Follow Local Conventions: Address formats can vary widely. Stick to the commonly used format in your area.
• Be Precise and Concise: Ensure the address is accurate yet concise enough for easy understanding.
• Double-Check: Always recheck the address for accuracy.
• Cultural Nuances: Be aware of cultural nuances in address formats, especially in diverse regions.

Categories & Tags

Categories and tags are essential in organizing and classifying Place’s and Check-Ins on Proto. They serve several key purposes:

1. Enhancing Search-ability: By categorizing and tagging PoIs, users can easily search and find specific types of locations.
2. Improving Map Accuracy: Categories and tags help in providing detailed and precise information about each PoI.
3. User Experience: They aid in creating a more user-friendly and navigable map interface.

Proto's Nested System

Proto utilizes a nested system for categories and tags, comprising 10 primary categories, each with specific tags. This structure allows for incredibly detailed and specific mapping of places.

Simplification for User Convenience

While the system may seem complex, it has been simplified to ensure ease of use for our mappers. The category chosen for a Check-In will guide the specific data inputs required, which may include standard fields and some unique to each category.

• List of all Categories & Tags

<aside> ✅ Categories and Tags are constantly updated. If you want to request any additions, changes or removals; please share this on the General Group in the WhatsApp community. After a community discussion and vote, we will proceed to finalize the proposal.

</aside>

Reviews (messages) & Ratings

Reviews or Check-in messages (as we called them formerly) on Proto are personal annotations you add to each Places. They are your opportunity to provide context, share experiences, or offer insights about the places you map.

The Importance of Check-In Messages

1. Personal Touch: Your messages give a personal perspective to the mapped location, making it more than just a point on a map.
2. Unique Identity: Well-crafted messages help in building your unique identity as a mapper on Proto. They distinguish your contributions from others.
3. Additional Context: Messages help add additional context to each place, improving the overall quality of the map.

Differentiating Your Mapping with Check-In Messages

The content of your check-in message should align with the nature of the PoI. Here are some examples:

1. Restaurants and Food Places: Include menu highlights, your favorite dishes, or a quick review of the culinary experience.
2. Educational Institutions: Mention admission requirements, campus amenities, or the overall academic atmosphere.
3. Landmarks or Historic Places: Share historical significance, interesting facts, or personal experiences related to the site.
4. Parks and Recreation Areas: Describe the ambiance, facilities available, or why it's a must-visit spot for relaxation or activities.
5. Local Shops and Businesses: Talk about unique products, services, or why this place stands out in the community.

Initially, deciding what information to include might seem challenging. However, as you continue mapping, your instincts as a mapper will develop. You'll intuitively know what details will resonate most with the community and add the most value to the map.

Consistency in Tone and Voice

Maintaining a consistent tone and voice in your messages is crucial. It helps in:

1. Brand Building: Consistency in your check-in messages helps in creating a recognizable mapper 'brand' on Proto.
2. User Trust: A consistent voice builds trust among other users, as they come to know what to expect from your contributions.
3. Community Recognition: Over time, your consistent tone and voice will make you a familiar and respected figure within the Proto mapping community.

Remember, your check-in messages are more than just descriptions; they are narratives that breathe life into the places you map. They reflect your unique perspective and contribute to the rich tapestry of the Proto community’s shared mapping experience.

Ratings

Similar to your reviews (or Check-in messages); ratings are simple way to indicate your impressions about a place. Ratings are fairly straightforward, with a simple 5 star system. Make sure you present accurate ratings that are in line with your messages and do not over or under value the place you are checking in at.

Metadata

The Metadata section in Proto allows users to contribute detailed and specific subsets of data based on the type of tag they select. This section enhances the richness and usability of the mapped Places by providing additional contextual information. Here’s a breakdown of the various types of metadata you can contribute:

• List of all Metadata

By contributing metadata, you help create a more detailed and accurate map, providing essential information that enhances the overall user experience. Each piece of metadata adds valuable context to the mapped Places, making Proto a comprehensive and reliable platform for all users.