February 21, 2008

Why Does Twitter Exist?

I'm slow on the uptake with most technology. I don't have a Blackberry. I never use the camera or text features on my cell-phone. My daughters set up an I-Pod Shuffle that I received at a national conference a few years ago. I'm just slow on this stuff. So, it comes as no surprise that I don't get the point of Twitter. I don't see a business reason for using it ... and I can't imagine that others much care that I'm 'just chillin'.

Do you have a Twitter account? Click here to see mine.

Can you give me a clue? Why do you use Twitter?

18 comments:

Liz Dwyer said...

I'm following you now. Gosh, I feel like a stalker!

I started out using twitter to talk about the things I'm not writing a blog post about, particularly since I can text from my phone when I'm out and about. However, I interact with people I'm following now and there's an IM vibe to it. I am not up on snitter or twhirl or all these tools to use to track your twitter pals.

I'm so glad I linked you to my blog. You never cease to interest me with such a diversity of topics.

Edward Padgett said...

I’ve looked at Twitter, but decided against getting involved, as I have so many other applications and social networks the Internet offers, vying for my leisure time. Have actually deleted two social networks this week, and never turn on the IM applications, seems someone always wants to chat, when I’m in the middle of important work.

What I discovered saves the most time are the RSS feeds, that’s what brought me here tonight.

Edward
The Blogging Pressman

Unknown said...

Los Angelista - You are the 2nd one to tell me about using your phone to update twitter. I guess I need to figure out how to do that.

Anyhow, I'm glad that you continue to enjoy the vibe of our village...

Anonymous said...

I'm not sure why Twitter exists, and I rarely update mine. But, I'm gonna start following you now Villager! LOL

Unknown said...

Ed - I feel ya! Out of curiousity ... which two social networks did you turn off?

BHC - Asante sana! Let me know if you find any tangible use for Twitter...

SerenityLife said...

I am on twitter and then I added you and deleted my account because I was having some issues not on there but else where on the web.

I agree with los angelista that it has an IM feel to it. I prefer just posting links to information that I find to make it easier to share with people I want to share. I am private on twitter and I try to read the blogs of those people I follow. Otherwise, I am not on there for self promotion, etc.

Though I was introduced to twitter last May ((2007) I did not start using it heavily until October(2007) but to tell you the truth I rather have my conversations in IM if they are private..

You can always use the DM feature (direct message) to share personal information.

Last night though if I were not on twitter, I would have not known about the lunar eclipse so it does have some value of who you follow and what news sources you add.

Most of what I follow are news sources!

Oh, and I am not up on the third applications like twhril, snitter, etc! I heard some are addictive though!

And, I don't use a blackberry, iPhone, etc. I do not want to get to addicted to social aspects of the internet because I do have a life offline too!

Great blog on twitter here:
http://www.ericrice.com/blog/2007/10/24/do-you-have-to-game-social-media-to-be-heard/

Edward Padgett said...

Good Morning Villager,

I deleted Friendster and Yahoo Personals, but alas, added Linkedin.

MySpace is not my thing, yet the children and grandchildren keep me there, with two visits per month at most.

I'm considering retirement (buyout) from the newspaper rather soon, which would give myself more time for surfing the Internet, what an idea...

Have yourself a great day.

C Samuels Jr said...

Twitter is just web based SMS. You can use it as a mini Blog or an to info a group on an event. If you have your alerts set up, this could be used as a trouble alert. This is just another one of those Web 2.0 apps waiting to find a good use. I use it occasionally but have not found it a good use for the system. The other new comer is Pownce, http://pownce.com/, a Twitter system with the ability to share files. There is a ton of Web 2.0 eye candy apps out there but no true killer app like old fashioned e-mail.

Deidra said...

The way I see it, twitter is just your status. It's basically what you are thinking of or going to do at that moment. No interaction needed - you just tell people what you're thinking just like your Myspace status and facebook status.

For example, its 1:56pm and I'm thinking: "Waiting in anticipation for work to be over with". Some people might what they just did "Just got back from my trip to Hawaii - it was refreshing!" or you can put what you're going to do "Getting ready for my interview with CBS for a story on race".

A.M. McReynolds said...

From a journalist's standpoint:
Using Twitter to Help Communities

Newsies twittering on twitter

A.M. McReynolds
Backyard Beacon

Unknown said...

Jennifer - I'm truly not interested in the third party software to use Twitter. I did enjoy the blog post you shared. In fact, I edited my Twitter post and included link to it. Thanx!

Ed - I don't have Friendster or Yahoo Personals. I do actively use LinkedIn Network. I have 1,328 direct connections at this point. I've blogged on it as recently as last week. Congrats on your planning for the retirement years!! Also, Ed, I appreciate the link-love that you have provided in your publication from my village...

Unknown said...

Cliff - I think that I'm going to use it as a pointer to good posts that I have on my two blogs. I just don't think that folks want to know that "I'm watching TV now..." (smile)

How are u feelin' about your Detroit TAC blog?

Unknown said...

Deidra - I can't imagine that others care about stuff like that. I'm giving it a second look though. I did get Barack Obama to follow me on Twitter. That's pretty kewl...

A.M. - I will check out both of your links. Thank you for taking time to share them with me. In case you didn't notice, you are the featured AfroSpear Voice in my sidebar this week...

Kismet Nuñez said...

Villager:

I have signed up for Twitter before, but never use it. I happen to be a Facebook junkie though. I am "following" you now though (Yeah, Los Angelista, I definitely feel a little stalkerish too!)

I hear it is going to be the new Facebook though. And by hear, I mean I read it somewhere on a teaching with technology blog. If I find the post again, I'll pass it along.

Look forward to seeing other people's responses and how they use it. Although, to continue keepin it real, is there something about the technology gap amongst people of color (black AND Latina/o) that make us last/less receptive/less creative with technology as a WHOLE?

(Of course, the irony is that I say that as a comment to a blog post written for a blog that is committed to using technology to cater to the African diaspora.....)

Unknown said...

Kismet - Actually, it's my other blog that is dedicated towards information technology. This one is focused on uplifting people of African descent.

I don't have a Facebook account. Although it has been suggested to me more than once that I should get one.

I'm surprised at the number of villagers that have Twitter. I didn't expect so many to have it...

Kismet Nuñez said...

Ahhh! Gotcha!

(Both do great things and are much appreciated :)

A.M. McReynolds said...

Campaign Reporting in Under 140 Taps
http://tinyurl.com/ytma54

Unknown said...

A.M. - Excellent article on microblogging journalists. I recently added NY Times as a Twitterer to follow. I wonder if any Black publications will be following suit?