What is CitySpeek.com?

CitySpeek is a micro-messaging service that allows you to stay in contact with your friends, co-workers, teammates and customers through an efficient means of communication.

CitySpeek is different than other micro-messaging services in many ways. CitySpeek encourages communication in communities by offering a rich user experience. Messages (‘speek’s as we like to call them) can include integrated pictures or video and are sent as one of six different categories. CitySpeek also utilizes both public and private groups to help you better organize with like minded people. CitySpeek also updates a real time map of speeks from around the world so you can see what’s going on in your city.

Is CitySpeek.com free?

Yes, CitySpeek.com is totally free.

How does it work?

After signing up, invite friends and add existing CitySpeek.com users to your following list. Once you have that done, start 'speeking' to the community! Is the rainy day getting you down? Excited about going shopping for that new dress? See something crazy on the streets that you just have to share? It's up to you, Speek anything you'd like!

Can I use CitySpeek.com with IM (Instant Messenger)?

Yes. Once you have created your account, go to Settings and select your IM client. You will then be shown the CitySpeek IM contact. Add it to your friends list on your IM client and when you want to publish a speek, write to CitySpeek as if you are writing to a friend. We support virtually all major IM programs including: MSN, Gtalk, AIM, ICQ and Yahoo. Remember that the most characters you can write using IM is 140. If you write more than that, the text will be truncated.

Does CitySpeek.com support html in Speeks?

No, for security reasons CitySpeek.com does not allow html in Speeks.

Can I follow someone who is a user of CitySpeek.com?

Yes. Each user has a link on their page, "Add (Name of the user) as a Friend". When you click on this link, you will be following this person, that is, you receive new Speeks from this person in your IM, in your e-mail or via the CitySpeek website.

How do I continue following a user but not receive their Speeks in my IM or e-mail?

Go to SETTINGS and then select EMAIL NOTIFICATION. Here you can select WEB ONLY to no longer receive notification of a new speek via IM or e-mail.

Can I stop following a User?

Yes. Go to this user's profile page and click "Stop following + (Name of the user)". You will be removed from their list of followers and you will no longer be receiving notices of their new Speeks.

How do I know that someone is following me?

Go to your personal page and click on the link "followers." You will see all the users who are following your Speeks. You have the option to also begin following them.

Can I block any user if I don't want them to directly follow me?

Yes. On the profile page of the user you will find a "Block" link. After blocked, they will no longer appear in your list of followers, their Speeks will not appear in your dashboard and they can no longer follow you. They will not be notified that they were blocked. This blockade is not irreversible, if you change your mind you can easily unlock this user following the same steps above.

Can I send a user a direct message?

Yes, in the users profile page, click on the "send a message" link.

How do I find my direct messages?

Go to your dashboard and click "Messages" on the left side of your profile to see all the messages that you received from users of CitySpeek. To see the messages sent by you, click "Outbox".

How do I receive notifications regarding only Direct Messages sent to me and not all Speeks written by users I follow?

Go to SETTINGS and then select EMAIL NOTIFICATION. Here you can select the appropriate notification setting.

What does it mean to 'Reply' to a Speek?

You can respond or comment publicly to any speek at CitySpeek.com. To do this, click the reply icon at the end of any speek and the response/comment will be received by all those that follow.

Who can read my Speek's? Can I make it so that only my friends can read them?

You can decide. During signup or later in Settings, you can make your Speeks public or accessible only to those people allowed to follow you. By default, all Speeks are public. If you do not want your new Speeks read by strangers, go to "Settings" and make sure that only persons authorized by you have access to them. To allow this access, you must also add this person in your list of Followers.

Can I edit my Speeks after they are published?

No. You can delete but not edit them.

Can I save Speeks as Favorites?

Yes, you can save any public post or friends Speek to your Favorites by clicking on the 'Favorites' icon in that Speek.. If you want to delete a Speek from Your Favorites, go to that Speek and click again on the 'Favorites' icon.

What is the maximum size of a Speek?

The maximum limit is 140 characters. If you are sending a Speek via IM and it is above this limit, this Speek will be truncated when published.

Is there a limit to the number of Speeks that I can create?

No, write as many Speeks as you want.

I am receiving too many Speeks in my IM or email. What do I do?

You can stop receiving Speeks from some of the people that you follow without stopping the receipt of all others. Go to the page of the user you do not want to receive notices from and click "STOP FOLLOWING".

How does CitySpeek.com provide translation?

Translation service on CitySpeek.com is provided by Google and utilizes the Google Translate API.

How do I utilize the integrated translation service?

Simply select your preferred language in the ABOUT ME section of SETTINGS (which is set to English by default) and continue using CitySpeek as you normally would. When a speek written in a different language than your own is detected, a 'translate' link will appear. Clicking this link instantly translates that speek into the language you selected in the ABOUT ME settings.

How do I "Nudge" a user?

If a person has not published a speek on the site for some time and you want to see a new one from them, you can send a "Nudge" by clicking on the Nudge link on the user's profile. A notification will reach them via email asking them to create a new speek.

How do I join a group?

CitySpeek offers an easy to use group search feature. Click through to the GROUPS page and take a look at popular and recently added groups. If you are not finding what you are looking for, you can search by group name, description or tags.

Who will see my Speeks to a group?

Your Speeks to a group will appear on that group's CitySpeek page. Your Speeks to a group will also appear in your list of Speeks and will be visible by your followers. CitySpeek also allows for private groups in which case only other group members will see your messages to that group.

Can I leave a group?

Yes. From your user control panel, select "My Groups" and then click "Leave Group" next to the group you want to leave. You can leave and rejoin groups at any time.

How does Twitter integration work?

If you are a Twitter.com user you can have your CitySpeek messages posted directly to your twitter account. They will appear on twitter exactly has you have written them on CitySpeek and on Twitter's web site your tweet will say "from CitySpeek".

To cross post on Twitter, go to your SETTINGS page and select SOCIAL NETWORK SETTINGS. Here you can enter your Twitter username and password. We will not share your twitter username and password with anyone, ever.

How do I use Flickr integration?

When you share a picture with your CitySpeek followers, we can automatically send it to your Flickr account for easy archiving and sharing. This will save you the hassle of multiple uploads and will ensure that your picture is saved forever.

To use Flickr integration, you must have a Flickr account. Once that is taken care of, go to the SETTINGS page and select SOCIAL NETWORK SETTINGS. Under the Flickr logo, select the "Click here to Authenticate Flickr" and you will be taken to Flickr's web site where you will need to sign in and approve CitySpeek.

Is there an API for CitySpeek.com?

Yes, you can find it at the bottom of any page on the site.

How do I erase my account and leave CitySpeek.com?

Go to SETTINGS and then REMOVE MY ACCOUNT. Keep in mind we do not guarantee that you can return to CitySpeek.com with the same username because it will become available to new users shortly after account deletion.

I am a business owner and I'd like to use CitySpeek to reach my customers, where should I begin?

First, make sure to get a free CitySpeek account. You can easily communicate with your customers by following them which lets them know you are on CitySpeek. Then you can send them relevant speeks about your business. Be careful not to follow too many people all at once and try not to follow users that are not your customers as someone could accuse you of spamming.

Another option is to start a group that will benefit and appeal to your customers. That makes it easy for them to communicate with you and your other customers.

If you need more ideas or have any questions on properly promoting your business on CitySpeek, don't hesitate to contact us.

I have a question that you have not answered, how can I contact you for more help?

Feel free to use the 'Contact Us' form at any time, you can find a link to it at the bottom of every CitySpeek.com page.