So, I’ve berrated twitter to many people in the past for it being a completely useless and time wasting Web 2.0 application. So, obviously, that now means I’ve signed up and am using it semi-sporadicly. So what is it? Well from their website…
Twitter is a community of friends and strangers from around the world sending updates about moments in their lives. Friends near or far can use Twitter to remain somewhat close while far away. Curious people can make friends. Bloggers can use it as a mini-blogging tool. Developers can use the API to make Twitter tools of their own. Possibilities are endless!
So why the sudden change of heart from myself? Well I used to think it was another thing to keep updated, another thing to forget about, another thing to have to send your away messages etc. But really…
You can send updates in three ways: send a text message from your mobile phone, type a message from the Twitter site, or instant message from AIM, Jabber or Gtalk. Start by texting the word help to 40404 if you’re in the United States. For international Twitters, use +44 7781 488126. If you’re from Canada or Australia– we have different numbers. Write us and we’ll give you yours.
It’s the bit about IM that got me intrigued. I have an IM program open 24/7 so that friends and foes can contact me, or just read my pointed away messages 
so how does twitter work? Well, it’s easy you add “TwitterIM” to your contact list and anytime you want a new entry to appear on your twitter stream/site/blog you just send an IM to that contact. So if I want “I’m going out” to appear on my twitter I just IM “I'm going out” and Bob’s your uncle!
So… check out my twitter stream. I’m sure I’ll put a link along the side at some point. Check out exactly what I’m doing. Although, remember my life sucks and is boring! :p
Am I deluded?!
B
Hmm.. Interesting idea. Not heard of it before..
I’m sure I’ll get bored of it in a week or two. If that long
http://www.pcweenies.org/images/toons/pcweenies_1011.jpg
Muwhaha.. it’s so true… that’s all people do with it. Although I’ve read some where it’s updated every few minutes and you just wonder how are they actually doing anything other than updating all their social bookmarking sites? I mean, if it’s not twitter, it’s MySpace, LinkedIn or Friendster.
I think the idea is cool, but maybe it gives you the thought of being more connected to someone without actually knowing them? I mean, do I really want to know what a complete stranger is doing *right* now?
*shrug*
“…maybe it gives you the thought of being more connected to someone without actually knowing them…”
Isn’t that the internet’s raison d’etre?
I have to disagree. I think the Internet is about finding people and that then enriches your *real* life.
So, for example, we talked online for a while and then met in real life. Thus a good friendship because we’ve got to know each other via the internet, but also experienced real life things like holidays etc.
Just speaking to someone online and following their movements via twitter.. well, it’s not the same connection.
No, I agree - but I don’t specifically differentiate between internet life and “real life” because, basically, it’s all MY life. However, I have known other people who DO make that distinction and are completely different from their on-line persona, and others who believe they have a deep connection with someone they’ve only spoken to online, and for a short time at that. The scary thing about the internet is the illusion of speedy intimacy, which might in fact be just in their head (or worse, in someone elses). Obviously we moved past that point a LONG time ago, and I’m very glad we became friends even if it is weird to credit an old childrens tv show with starting that off!
And I am still glad I knew Himself, even though it really fuckt up my life!
The Tribe… *sob* Nearly all my online friends and good online memories come from that show. Anyways…
I don’t think it’s a different life, but I think you have to class people differently. A person that you’ve never met is a person you’ve never met, you can be close and intimate online but at the end of the day that person can edit what they say and, as you’ve said, put across a completely different persona. So I think people that go “yeh, I know them completely” are in some ways deluding themselves.
But in the grand scheme of things, it’s all gravy