Beginning Twitter Findings
Just a couple of days ago, this digital phenomena, Twitter, floored me. I was reading the article by Clive Thompson and his information on the emerging digital social networks made me start to realize the significance of what is going on with the likes of Facebook, Twitter, and others. I’m on the brink of information overload.
I signed up for a Twitter account and here is what I am finding. First, it clearly can be something that can be misused or addicitng. The concept of sharing what you are doing in 140 characters or less is where this phenomena begins. Those that stop there are the ones’ that don’t get it. This level of understanding leaves the skeptic to see Twitter as a self-promotion vehicle, with narcisistic results, and it certainly could be. Here’s more of the story.
Finding what other’s are doing allows you find not only what they may be doing at the moment, but also what they are reading, thinking about, commenting on, finding and then sharing it. It’s in these realms some real cool things are happening. Benefits are far reaching for one personally or for business.
For example, I have in just two short days been able to listen in, so to speak, on the conversations of some very successful bloggers. I’ve gained new sources of insight, practices, tools, etc. They share (tweet) what they are reading, online sites/blogs that have interesting posts. What might have taken me days or weeks to find, I can now find discussions on or ask questions where literally a global network can respond. There are discussions where people are sharing information on just about every interest.
I am obviously still trying to sort all this out. One of the best sources I have found is the blog Twitips.com. If you are new to Twitter (or have been around it awhile), you will find this to be a very helpful source in sorting out all of the options and keeping up with the latest. I made the decision to use TweetDeck based on the post of the 5 best tools of 2008 for Twitter.
Come check it out and Follow Me to see what I’m doing, saying, or reading!
December 24th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Okay, I’ve become a Twitter. Looks like you’re my first follower. I don’t really need another thing to keep up with online, but I’ll give this a try!
December 24th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
Okay, so you can get to know some of your inspirational gurus better. Fine.
You still haven’t done much persuasion regarding the benefits of participating in Twitter. You really need to develop this idea a little more. (I know, I sound like an English teacher, but you haven’t divulged much. Sorry! :p) )
How about answering this: What are the ways that Twitter is better than Facebook?
December 24th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
Steve … I like your suggestion and will keep that for a coming topic. Have you read the article? Keep reading. Twitter’s connectivity is unreal.
Fantastic Lisa!! I really agree with you regarding time. I can clearly see where Twitter could be a huge time drain. But I have some ideas for boundaries that I think will work for me. Being able to see what others are reading about is actually a huge time saver! Most of the things I’ve found are really helpful. check out the twitips blog.
December 24th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
I have a friend who joined Twitter over a year and a half ago. He gave it a shot for about 8 months, and just stopped. I never asked him why he stopped, but I assume that he got tired of notifying others what he was up to from time to time. I too cant see the big deal about Twitter, but then again, I also missed the boat in seeing the massive potential in Myspace.com.
December 24th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
Hi Leo — I am thinking of two main approaches to it. Although there does seem to be just so much one can take of a digital life. First, I think having a close group of friends that use it to keep in touch/encourage each other and second, a group that I see as relevant to one’s interests or endeavors. In just this short time I have found some very interesting/noteworthy links to stories and people in blogging, for example. Check out the article in teh previous post about this digital phenomena.
December 25th, 2008 at 9:25 pm
You wrote:
“Have you read the article? Keep reading.”
No. I come to your blog to read what YOU write. I want to know YOUR thoughts and insights.
“Twitter’s connectivity is unreal.”
That is a very vague statement. Care to explain what you mean? Um, do you have a phobia against writing specifics? <;P)
December 26th, 2008 at 7:43 am
This morning I responded to a request to join Twitter. It seems I have one “follower” now. By my count, I have now joined six on-line “social networking” sites. Of all of them, I only use one…Facebook. My Space is slow and full of errors that frustrate me, and it isn’t easy to navigate. Facebook is much more user friendly, at least for the likes of me. Something worthy of note is that many people who could just as easily pick up the phone and make a call spend time using these electronic networking sites to communicate. It occurs to me that these tools, as well as IM Chat and all it’s equivelants, are dumbing down populations as to how to actually interact in person (including over the phone). I’ll continue to sign on as I continue to actually call peeps.
January 1st, 2009 at 1:58 pm
I have been hesitant to join any of the huge social networking sites. It is very liberating for my mind to take my yearly, almost computer free, month to rest my mind of its computer connectivity. And, I am not even that connected, compared to many.
One reason that many may be using these sites, rather than calling on the phone, is that it is “free”, especially important for those who live long distance. That’s a big perk. I have been very tempted to join Facebook, lately, since I discovered my long distance cousins are on there, as well, and it would be a good way to check in with them.
January 5th, 2009 at 7:55 pm
There is no doubt, the digital age has brought some social networking sites that one can’t help question there benefits. As I read up on it, there really is some very good things that are happening in this digital awareness age. Check my Twitter updates for some of the things I’ve been reading regarding this. There is a link in the right column, as well as my latest Tweets
. I completely relate to your comments on using the phone etc., but social networking is here to stay and is only getting more effective.