David Likes Twitter

I found this blog interesting and I think it'll help some people. Before I get to it though, Sherry, Erin and I are going to the MS Walk and we'd love to have more volunteers. If anyone's free from like 7AM to 12PM, let me know. :) Autism Care Walk is also this Saturday at the same time! Kudos if you're going to either one! "Join the movement to move others"!

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"The Deal with Twitter"
by Rob Domanski (Compressed by David Nguyen)

The media has officially anointed Twitter "The Next Big Thing". But amidst all the hype, people are continuously failing to understand how to use it or what to do. So I'm gonna explain what all the fuss is about.

First of all, do *NOT* think of Twitter the same way as you think of Facebook or MySpace. Twitter will fail on you if you do. "Social Networking Site"? In my opinion, No. On FaceSpace, you create a social-network of FRIENDS who you know in the real world. On Twitter, you create a network of FOLLOWERS, most of whom you do not know at all. They are merely people who find your updates interesting. Many popular people (or someone closely affiliated with them) use Twitter such as Shaquille O'Neil, Ellen DeGeneres, Barack Obama, Jimmy Fallon, Britney Spears...

So why bother? The magic of Twitter lies in two things. First, the purpose of Twitter is to have real-time conversations with like-minded people who you've never met. If you have followers who share your interests, then you can post a tweet that says, "In need of a good book recommendation. Any ideas?". I've done this myself. Within a few minutes I had a dozen recommendations from different people with similar taste.

Second, Twitter is FABULOUS as a source for instant news and information. For example, remember when the plane that crash-landed in the Hudson River last month? When I first heard about it, I didn't go to the New York Times website nor did I turn on CNN. Both of those have time lags from the moment when something occurs until it is actually covered. Twitter already had hundreds of people talking about it, eyewitness accounts, way before the press had their first coverage. Basically, because Twitter posts messages live, you can read and discuss things as they are actually happening.

Once you've created a rich network of followers, you'll be amazed at how much useful information is out there, and how fun it is, as well as the dialogues taking place around it. Remember, the real power of Twitter is in the conversations. The more you comment, re-tweet, and reply to other people's messages, the more you'll get from the experience.

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My only advice to those who are still confused with Twitter is to not use it for only friends (that's for Facebook). You'll be bored quick. Post with the world as your audience, not your friends. For me, it's my one-stop for the latest in news, events, weather, movies, music, and Alice. I follow this one profile where it updates me on the latest volunteer opportunities and another where I get coupons. Useful stuff! I got into Twitter easy because I have a lot of interests. If you do have a Twitter, follow me! :)
http://www.twitter.com/davidakhoa