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'The Bus Ride' Lets Users Become Internet Tour Guides

by Ben Deitz on April 11, 2010 at 08:30 AM

Surfing the Web is a mentally active exercise, requiring that users determine their own experience. But sometimes we wish we could just kick back and let someone else do our Web surfing for us. The Bus Ride attempts to fulfill our laziest of Internet dreams, and also show us parts of the Internet we may have never found otherwise.

Based on the idea of a bus tour, the site lets users explore different user-created "routes," or themes. Each route has up to five corresponding 'stops' that users view sequentially, along with commentary by the route's creator. "Riders" can remark on each route via the site's connection with Facebook. Routes range from the humorous (for some) to the informative, and riders earn virtual stamps for each route completed, as well as for inviting friends to use the service.

Though it still looks to be in its early stages -- the few routes available are not categorized, instead merely sorted by newest and most popular -- the notion is spanking new. The prospect of online sightseeing tours is interesting, but also hinges on the creativity of the site's users. Without a proper tour guide, even the most fascinating of destinations can be a bore. [From: The Bus Ride]

Tags: bus, sightseeing, the bus ride, TheBusRide, top, Virtual Tour, VirtualTour, Web, web surfing, WebSurfing

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