Question 1

How does Nearcast know who’s nearby?

Accepted Answer

It uses your browser’s location (with permission) to place you on a map, then shows only broadcasts within the radius you choose — 500 m, 2 km, or 10 km. Without location you can pick a default city and browse anyway.

Question 2

Is Nearcast really anonymous?

Accepted Answer

You post under a random throwaway handle, and displayed pin positions are fuzzed so no one can pinpoint you. Anonymous still isn’t consequence-free — abusive or harmful posts get reported and removed.

Question 3

What are broadcasts good for?

Accepted Answer

Lost pets, free food in the lobby, ice on the path, traffic, pop-up events, ‘anyone else stuck at gate B22?’, and neighborhood mishaps — anything hyper-local and time-sensitive.

Question 4

Do broadcasts stay up forever?

Accepted Answer

No. Every broadcast is ephemeral and auto-expires — from an hour to a day — so the board always reflects what’s happening now.

Question 5

Are the broadcasts I see real?

Accepted Answer

Not yet — this is a demo. The feed is seeded with simulated example broadcasts (marked “demo”) placed around your location so you can feel the product. Your own posts are real but stay on your device. Join the waitlist to bring the real network to your area.