I’ve been using Twitter a lot the last week. I setup my account a year ago and never used it. Twitter keeps getting more and more buzz, so I decided to give it the full embrace. I love it. Now, I will try to convert you.
Twitter asks “What are you doing?” Then, you answer in 140 characters (a text message is 160 characters, for reference).
Here’s a collection from my feed:
Running out of hard drive space fast. I smell a terabyte external hard drive on the way. It smells metallic.
Rocking out to Neal Conan on NPR – the perfect after-lunch activity.
Easily made a flash movie with iMovie ’08. Next up: Five Dollar Footlong from Subway. Then, time to embed that movie. Fingers crossed.
Jalapenos from last night’s nachos playing catch up with my gut.
Royals up 9 to 1 after four. If they get any kind of consistent offense this year, people will talk.
Watching my third American Idol episode of the season. I’m so happy my current job doesn’t force me to watch this stale turd.
As a Twitter member, you choose to “follow” others. Their Twitter status will show up on your homepage at Twitter. If someone chooses to follow you, Twitter will let you know, and you can choose whether you want to follow that person’s updates, too. My updates are public, but you can choose to let only approved people see your innermost 140-character secrets.
If I’m not at home, I’ll use my phone’s web browser to update Twitter.
“Hot Eats” customers need to know that they’re slowing the drive thru for us “Cool Treats” people.
Shocker: Crappy driver has a “Mean People Suck” bumper sticker.
In a questionable cab after a great time with live music at Herb’s.
I haven’t used it yet, but you can text updates to Twitter. You can also have Twitter text you updates from select people. I probably don’t want to get text messages from some marketing guy I follow, but I might want to get them from a friend looking to go catch the Royals that night. If I’m out, I can tell Twitter to send texts from the proper friends.
You can setup your instant messenger to use Twitter. It’s pretty cool, too. Like texting, you have to tell Twitter who you want to get IM updates from.
The coolest thing about Twitter is how easily you can mold it into whatever you want. I want to use it to talk to my friends, to share in-the-moment thoughts, to network and to get news and information. I love it now, but the more friends and family I get on it (hint), the better it will be.
Sign up today! If you don’t like this service, you’re doing it wrong.
One more thing: don’t forget to use the “reply” feature when using Twitter.
Twitter is stupid folks, no real need to check it out. With Myspace and all the blogs, it is just another tool for posting random comments.
Great argument.
Sorry I didnt take the time to think up and eloquently post a 500 word argument on why people should use Twitter. I had better things to do last night, like watch ER.
I’m sorry, I thought the year was 2008. Didn’t realize people watched ER.
While everybody insists on making fun of it, it doesnt stop me from watching Stamous save lives and hook up all the time. I know the show is nothing like it was when it first came on, but i still enjoy it. Also, i was making fun of myself/setting you up to make fun of me with the ER comment.
I know how special this twitter site is to you. I don’t mean to offend you, i just feel like emails, texts, myspace, facebook, and personal web sites are more than enough for us common folk to communicate.
I was aware of your ER bait. I couldn’t resist, knowing that you actually do watch the show.
I agree, there are tons of ways to communicate. I just think Twitter has better functionality that MySpace, Facebook, etc. Use it some more before you judge it.
Wil Wheaton (oh he of Wesley Crusher and Stand By Me fame) makes a good defense of his own twitter use:
“Twitter haters are the new blog haters are the new ‘zine haters are the new mixtape haters. You’re so totally unimpressed. We get it.
Here is an example of why I love Twitter:
wilw: Say you are at a luncheon, stone cold munchin’ . A girl starts talkin’ while guys are gawkin’. This is the appropriate time to bust a move
scottarius: @wilw but I ate so much i nearly split my pants!
torgorama: @wilw You want it….you got it.
brlittle: @wilw though having been overly enthusiastic in your attentions the buffet, you may need to consider the likelihood of ripping your trousers
ShawnRC: @wilw Question: Do you check your libido before or after you stroll to the church in your new tuxedo?
My joke is moderately funny, but the responses elicited many LOLs. That’s why Twitter is fun.
Look, Twitter haters: Don’t make a fuss! I’ll have your Twitter. I love it! I’m having Twitter, Twitter, Twitter, Twitter, Twitter, Twitter, Twitter, Twitter, Baked Beans, Twitter and Twitter.”
Will Wheaton? Seriously?
Yes, Wil Wheaton. I guess you will be changing your tune now, huh?
It was hard to pick up on, but I was being utterly sarcastic in my last post. As in, Will Wheaton, that is really the best you can come up with?
I have zero respect for WW other than Stand by Me.
Actually, it wasn’t hard to pick up on at all. Apparently, what was hard to pick up on was my even more sarcastic reply. You’re slipping today, Mike.
PS: You can click on “Reply to this comment” to keep the conversation in order when you comment here. Notice how this comment has your comment as a parent.
I am turning into Vyhanek.
You were Vyhanek all along.
Okay – so no Wil Wheaton love. But John Hodgman is also a twitterer, and if you don’t like him, you can suck Wil Wheaton.
Do they have some sort of website for people who are sick of the internet? (me)
You’re sick of the Internet? I better call you and see what’s wrong.
I wonder if Fred Savage uses Twitter. Does that make it better? I might join if that’s the case.
I’m not sure I follow this reference. Is there a connection between Savage and Wil Wheaton? Is it because they are both former child stars who are relatively normal?