[Chinney]

I've asked a few people and looked it up on wiki, but I still don't have a clear idea. Without me actually having to register and do it - assuming you can actually twitter using a computer (or is it mainly for cellphones) - what exactly is twitter? How is it different than text messaging? Is it a special form of text messaging? Is it "text messaging" meets an online forum? Are there different "twitter" sites? For example, can you go and twit about Apple computers? Is there an AN twitter site? I've more or less kept up with technology (even if I don't always use it), but this one is leaving me behind.

[noleli2]

In his column yesterday, David Pouge hits the nail on the head: it's whatever you want it to be.

[Brad]

AppleNovatwitter: What Are You Doing Right Now?

Just about everything you need to know about twitter is right there on the first page.

In summary:

"Hey, I know...let me broadcast to the world - in real time! - every single thing I do, think, say, eat, drink, see, taste, read or expel...in case anyone out there gives a rip. It'll be cool!" MySpace/FaceBook for those with even shorter attention spans?

fuck twitter. no one is that interesting. Unless you're a hot lesbian nympho. then twitter away.

[Chinney]

Looks like I am not the only one asking the question right now. Pogue's is a pretty good explanation.

So far, I am not tempted to sign up and tweet. But here's a question, what if I were to sign up...and I had no followers? Or even worse, I immediately developed lots. Sounds kind of creepy...like being stalked.

[Swox]

I don't know anyone on this planet who's twitter I'd read. I really don't understand the young folks anymore... which is sad because I'm not thirty yet! It's probably good though.

[turtle]

I really only have people here on AN that I follow and who follow me. It's kinda like an AN chat for me. Though I do throw up occasional other details of my life too.

I wouldn't say I use it all the time, just enough to say I'm a regular though.

[Chinney]

Originally Posted by Brad AppleNovatwitter: What Are You Doing Right Now? Just about everything you need to know about twitter is right there on the first page. [...]

But that 'Nova thread is just mock tweeting, no? You can't tweet onto a AN forum can you?

Anyway, it sounds mostly like a waste of time. Unlike teh Nova.

[thegeriatric]

Originally Posted by Swox I don't know anyone on this planet who's twitter I'd read. I really don't understand the young folks anymore... which is sad because I'm not thirty yet! It's probably good though.

How do you think i feel at my age then! Young folk, who understands them anyway..............

[jdcfsu]

Originally Posted by Chinney But here's a question, what if I were to sign up...and I had no followers? Or even worse, I immediately developed lots. Sounds kind of creepy...like being stalked.

There's so many weird "internet marketers" who auto follow people, you're bound to have people following you. Filthy spammers. But like everyone has said, it's whatever you want it to be.

I really like it because it's a means of communication with bloggers I like and a way to read some really funny short quips from people. I'm not into the whole "I'm in the shower", "I'm going for a run" updates, because no one wants to know what I'm doing all the time and I don't want to know what you're doing all the time. But if you're interesting and have interesting things to say, I follow you. I guess it's the same idea with why I subscribe to certain RSS feeds.

Originally Posted by Swox I don't know anyone on this planet who's twitter I'd read. I really don't understand the young folks anymore... which is sad because I'm not thirty yet! It's probably good though.

Funny you say that. Just today I came up with a list of people I wish were on Twitter so I could follow them. When I joined it sometime last year I did so to see what the buzz was all about. I've got to say it's pretty addicting.

[Brad]

Originally Posted by Chinney But that 'Nova thread is just mock tweeting, no? You can't tweet onto a AN forum can you? Anyway, it sounds mostly like a waste of time. Unlike teh Nova.

Yes, yes, and yes.