Just Got Back from Twitter
I joined Twitter to better understand the hype. As a Web Designer it's my job to understand new technologies and there's no better way to get the full picture than to become a true user (not a Web Designer claiming to be a user).
Some general observations after 200 tweets
Twitter is a constant flow of what people are doing and sharing. You can jump in or out at anytime. When you are in the flow it's real-time and you feel somewhat conected. When you are out of the flow you miss a moment in time and with things changing so quickly you don't miss much. Whatever is truly important flows over and appears on blogs and the rest of the web.
If you join be yourself, share your thoughts with some restraint (people are watching), don't try too hard, don't try to be witty, use it if it works with your lifestyle, respect other peoples tweets and followers, no need to bash other people's tweets. As my mother would say "If you have nothing good to say don't say anything at all" and just follow.
Twitter at it's best
- get the inside scoop on news or special offers not found elsewhere
- follow friends or people you admire (get the inside scoop on how they work)
- good information and links
Twitter at it's worst
- time consuming which means other things suffer
- your people may not be on Twitter
- useless information (I just had lunch)
Three ways I use it
- follow designers and others I consider virtual mentors whom I can learn from
- follow companies and services I use
- share my thoughts and doings more for myself than others
Three ways others use it
- promote websites, blogs, books or business
- seek feedback on ideas and designs or ask for answers
- venting emotions - anger, joy, boredom, overworked, etc.
You can find me on Twitter @andrew_mahoney