No self-formation of groups or meetings takes place, and the location of the posted meeting cannot be determined by those interested in attending. Such posting approaches, however, are limited in that they begin with a predetermined meeting location, date, and time, and require a group already to be formed. One such example of this approach is a “craigslist” type website (see, e.g., dc.), where people wishing to advertise meetings can easily make such a posting. Posting such notices in common locations such as a town square or popular bulletin board is now possible online as well. This approach starts with a meeting at a date and time certain, and then advertises the meeting. General information postings, such as ads or articles in print media and signs posted around town, are well known. Evite thus does not provide an automated method for strangers with a common interest to self-organize into real-world, local groups. It is impossible for persons who are not already acquainted to use the system to self-organize into groups, and to attend topic-related in-person gatherings with others in a given locale. Separately, users may browse or search the Evite website directory of public events, but all the events are one-off, non-recurring events, and all the events must be submitted by individual users choosing to publicize already existing events. Automated invitations are sent by the service, and each invitee may accept or decline the invitation. Such services, of which Evite is an example, allow users to enter the email addresses of invitees to private events. Internet invitation services likewise are inadequate to fulfill the above-identified need.
Additionally, so-called “social networking” services, such as SixDegrees, provide a system for users to be introduced to friends of friends via website communication and/or email, but again provide no support to a person who wants to attend a topic or event-related gathering in person in a selected geographic area.
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