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 Twitter is a pretty cutting edge Web 2.0 internet phenomenon and it’s easy to think it’s only for teenagers and twenty-something’s. But, like Facebook, it’s actually being used more and more by the more mature of us. Who says middle-aged women can’t be cutting edge??
Not me!
Here is an overview of Twitter that describes what it is and why you might just enjoy it.
Come on Tweeps (Twitter-ease for ‘peeps’), aren’t you just a little curious?
Have you noticed that Twitter is everywhere? You may not know what it is, but I expect you’ve heard the term somewhere and wondered what it is. I see it more and more frequently in headlines and bylines in the newspaper. Jane Fonda twitters. Karl Rove twitters. Congresspeople twitter. It’s still a bit leading edge, but mark my words, it is like online shopping was 10 years ago, it’s headed towards the mainstream.
But, what IS it for cryin’ out loud?
Twitter is a micro-messaging tool where users share short thoughts with each other. It is limited to 140 characters which means only 2 or 3 sentences at most. In appearance it looks a bit like your email inbox. Rather than names and subject lines though, your Twitter page is a running list of very short messages, or ‘tweets’, whose sender is identified by their photo.
Unlike your email, Twitter lives out on the web, it’s not an application (like Outlook) that resides on your computer. And, even better, no spammers since you choose who and how many people you ‘follow’ so you get to regulate who appears in your ‘inbox’.
It’s that simple. Actually, it’s much simpler and less intimidating than Facebook, in my opinion, so if you’re going to dip your toe in the social media pool, this is rather like the kiddies’ wading pool.
I can’t deny that at first, I thought it was silly. For what earthly reason would I want to know that a friend was in Starbucks getting a double mocha latte with skim? Really, give me a break. But then, a friend convinced me to just try it for a while.
Oh. Now I get it.
Here’s what I’ve learned:
- Twitter isn’t ‘lifecasting’, it’s ‘mindcasting’. It’s an incredible way for me to get to know the minds of people I find interesting. And, I can get to know, and even direct message, people that I would NEVER he able to otherwise. Like Jane Fonda for example.
- Because I get to choose who I follow, I follow only people who consistently provide information, links and articles I find interesting. They only occasionally share something like coffee preferences and even that is usually done in a surprisingly amusing way.
- My Twitter stream is made up of people I’d like to know better, sorting and passing on information about what they’re thinking about.
- Twitter addresses begin with ‘@’ followed by your username. Mine, for example is @womenbloom.
- It’s not overwhelmingly time consuming. I usually scan in the morning quickly and find one or two things of interest, spend a few minutes and I’m done. Maybe I do that once or twice more during the day. I always learn something or find myself thinking, or smiling, after my scan.
- Twitter delivers very digestible, tiny bites that take only a few seconds to look at.
I follow people who Twitter about social media (it’s my profession ya know), leadership, midlife, and women. There are ways to find people who tweet about your specific interests but that falls under Advanced Twittering so we’ll save that for another day.
Some of my recent tweets:
- Interesting that our Tx legislators are jumping on the Twitter bandwagon. Bloomers, this isn't going away. http://tinyurl.com/df2yzy
- Learned about cloud computing while my good friend, Murray, who is a wireless/tech guru, fixed my garbage disposal on Saturday. Whoa!
- If people are peeps, and twitterers are tweeps, are my (women) Bloomers 'bleeps'? What the bleep??!? :) Sowwy, just being silly.
- Dang, I am out of yogurt this morning! Who let that happen???!!
Earth-shattering information? No. Some interesting links? Yes, for some. Amusing? Depending on your sense of humor, possibly. Some insights into my twisted mind for anyone who cares to know? Maybe it’s best not to think about this one too much.
The most consistently amusing person I follow is JonRay (@jonray), a twenty something....well, I can't tell exactly what he does for a living, something about marketing..., and here are some of his recent tweets: - I just learned that walking into a board room with plastic wrapped candies in your pocket makes it sound like you're wearing a diaper.
- Just got my miles in for the day. Not enjoying winter trying to make a cruel Austin comeback tour. :(
- I look like a homeless person, right now. I think the valet thinks I'm stealing my own car.
I admit it, following JonRay helps me delude myself into feeling I’m more hip, and ‘with it’ by giving me glimpses into the thinking processes of someone less than half my age. Pitiful, I know, but you have to get your warm fuzzies any way you can.
For an easy, easy guide to the basics of using Twitter, go to The (Very) Basic WomenBloom Tweeters Guide.
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Written by Guest - Wednesday, March 18 2009 |
Thanks for the explanation. Now I know....and my intrest is up. Sandy |
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