Brady,

I tried this. The name didn't appear on the place; just the address.
I assumed the name I entered was assigned as the text I would enter to check in there. I tried it again and it worked.
Often I would create placemarks while on a computer after locating and before going out to new places, allowing me to check in via SMS with the shortcut alias when I get there. This doesn't seem to be possible, as the popup method you describe doesn't allow you to create or favorite a place until *after* you have checked in.

BTW, you guys know that http://brightkite.com/ STILL doesn't work, right? This error just baffles me! I know login was redirecting to /objects to sidestep it, but it isn't any longer.

The www URL redirects to http://brightkite.com/ and then gives the error. I ran into the same index page problem with the initial 2.0 rollout.

Why are you posting this?

I just got my first SMS check-in confirmation, but brightkite.com is now stuck in a tree. I was able to load link to a check-in tweet notification and then navigate around, including logging in, but no index page.

Now you are really torturing us. : )

I think that, as in Facebook, a thumbs up counts as a reply. In addition, a thumbs up and a thumbs down cancel one another out, so it would say two replies but show a 0 thumbs up/down total and no written replies.

It appears that you are either trying to insult people or trying to be funny. Either way, such lame attempts to validate one's own lack of composure inevitably do the opposite.

Imagining there were justification for being rude when a service you pay for is taken down for maintenance and improvement, there would certainly be no equivalent excuse for such callous conduct in regard to a free service you have chosen to use for your own entertainment and pleasure.

I suggest being deliberately understanding and kind the next time you encounter an issue with a service you pay for. Perhaps such an exercise in civility and empathy--the purported conduct of the educated class-- would help you to control your orangutan-like rage when it boiled over in such frivolous affairs as your anticipation of a free social networking tool's new version being rolled out.
If such an exercise seems unreasonable, we are left with a simple circulus in probando, questioning why you would be interested in networking with the rest of society in the first place.

Salud!