Twitter

[ddandb]

Can someone explain it to me?
Anyone here use it?

[Thorsky]

It's a very simnplified texting tool. You basically setup an account, and then you can follow other twitter users and they can follow you. I have it for technical discussions between pears in my industry (SQL DBA stuff) and we banter back and forth about how to handle different server issues and such. It's limited to short messages, is free and has a selection of clients that will run on blackberries and cell phones. For kicks I follow people like Bill Gates and Lance Armstong just to see the messages they send out.

[ddandb]

It's a very simnplified texting tool. You basically setup an account, and then you can follow other twitter users and they can follow you. I have it for technical discussions between pears in my industry (SQL DBA stuff) and we banter back and forth about how to handle different server issues and such. It's limited to short messages, is free and has a selection of clients that will run on blackberries and cell phones. For kicks I follow people like Bill Gates and Lance Armstong just to see the messages they send out.

So it's like instant messaging?

(actually it sounds more like stalking)

[JBean]

whoa..

so you can track other people's messages to each other? Am I missing something, or is that right?

I've never heard of this Twitter before. Guess I'm just not technologically cool enough

[NBSF]

Twitter is "mini blogging" social network. "Tweets" are limited to 140 characters, and can be sent online or by text message. It's a way to communicate with people who are signed up as your "followers."

I "follow" my favorite NHL team on twitter. They announce games, scores, and other tidbits. My local police department "tweets" major announcements (usually links to press releases). My friends put updates about roadtrips and movie invitations, etc.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twitter

[JBean]

Oh! that makes so much more sense now.

Also makes sense why I've never heard of it, since I'm not much of a blogger.

[Thorsky]

Lol...stalking...hehe

Normal tweets are public and anyone can see your timeline so, in that case yes you can see peoples messages going out to others. You don't see replies to them unless you are also following their followers. You also have the option to send direct messages to someone and those are (semi) private. It's a very loosly coupled messaging system. It's fun...and geeky.

[bearcat87]

To me this is another way technology is ruining face to face personal interaction. Though Twitter and Facebook do have there uses. I don't twitter, have facebook, or even text message. I prefer to call someone, stop by their location, or send a letter or email. The only reason I would get facebook is if I am very far away from friends and family and wanted to keep in touch. I'm also not a picture person. Can't remember the last time I actually took one.

Being in college it is really disheartening to find that people are chatting to each other on facebook when they are just down the hall or even in another room. Not to mention the stalking factor (I know you can set privacy levels). It will be interesting to see how all these ways of communicating through technology will hinder our ability to actually hold a conversation in the future.

Edit: It also seems as if people born after about 1985 have a fear of being alone (for a lack of better words). What I mean is kids are always in constant contact with their friends and family through all the means I mentioned above. When leaving class I am usually the only person who does not immediately take out their cell phone. Hell I rarely take my cell phone to school with me.... Then again I am not the average joe

End Rant

[Thorsky]

Bear, I 100% agree that all this electronic communication is robbing our youth of real social skills. I watch the way some of my children's friends interact and it's horrendous They will sit next to each other and text back and forth rather than just using the old spoken word. Not good at all.

As you say though, some of these things have purpose. Initially I thought of Twitter as just another texting tool. It wasn't until a co-worker showed me some of the questions he would send out and the rapid collaboration that would ensue thereafter...then I was won over. Everything in moderation I guess.

[RobsanX]

I hate it when people use the term Orwellian completely out of context, but texting bears a strong resemblance to Newspeak.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newspeak

[bearcat87]

Bear, I 100% agree that all this electronic communication is robbing our youth of real social skills. I watch the way some of my children's friends interact and it's horrendous They will sit next to each other and text back and forth rather than just using the old spoken word. Not good at all.

As you say though, some of these things have purpose. Initially I thought of Twitter as just another texting tool. It wasn't until a co-worker showed me some of the questions he would send out and the rapid collaboration that would ensue thereafter...then I was won over. Everything in moderation I guess.

It is sad! But yeah for your work or even to notify all your friends about possibly going to see a movie makes twitter awsome. Moderation is key [(though not with snus)i guess all rules have exceptions haha].