Comments on: Looking For The Usefulness in Twitter http://theappleblog.com/2007/03/19/looking-for-the-usefullness-in-twitter/ TheAppleBlog, published by and for the day-to-day Apple user, is a prominent source for news, reviews, walkthroughs, and real life application of all Apple products. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:55:21 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Missing Sync For Windows Mobile 6 in Beta - The Apple Blog http://theappleblog.com/2007/03/19/looking-for-the-usefullness-in-twitter/#comment-14125 Missing Sync For Windows Mobile 6 in Beta - The Apple Blog Tue, 19 Jun 2007 14:19:20 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/03/19/looking-for-the-usefullness-in-twitter/#comment-14125 [...] seemed as if the Missing Sync team was watching my Twits (yes, I’m actually trying to use - and almost sort of enjoying - Twitter: nicksantilli) when I asked recently for support for [...] [...] seemed as if the Missing Sync team was watching my Twits (yes, I’m actually trying to use – and almost sort of enjoying – Twitter: nicksantilli) when I asked recently for support for [...]

]]> By: chappie http://theappleblog.com/2007/03/19/looking-for-the-usefullness-in-twitter/#comment-14124 chappie Mon, 26 Mar 2007 16:58:11 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/03/19/looking-for-the-usefullness-in-twitter/#comment-14124 I haven't confirmed it yet because I'm waiting for my buddy to sign up, but if I understand the lingo correctly, Twitter could be used to send SMS messages to friends in Europe (through a UK number) for the cost of a local SMS to US users. So I send "d friends_name ..." to the Twitter US number (40404) and it goes directly to them (not broadcast), originating from the Twitter UK server. Is that maybe the killer app for people with contacts in Europe? Do I win something? I haven’t confirmed it yet because I’m waiting for my buddy to sign up, but if I understand the lingo correctly, Twitter could be used to send SMS messages to friends in Europe (through a UK number) for the cost of a local SMS to US users.

So I send “d friends_name …” to the Twitter US number (40404) and it goes directly to them (not broadcast), originating from the Twitter UK server.

Is that maybe the killer app for people with contacts in Europe? Do I win something?

]]> By: Liquidmatrix Security Digest » To Twitter Or Not Twitter? http://theappleblog.com/2007/03/19/looking-for-the-usefullness-in-twitter/#comment-14123 Liquidmatrix Security Digest » To Twitter Or Not Twitter? Sat, 24 Mar 2007 00:36:01 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/03/19/looking-for-the-usefullness-in-twitter/#comment-14123 [...] I need to vent a little. What is the fascination with Twitter? The question is being asked more and more. Are people so in need of human contact that they will reach out to anonymous people that [...] [...] I need to vent a little. What is the fascination with Twitter? The question is being asked more and more. Are people so in need of human contact that they will reach out to anonymous people that [...]

]]> By: divigation http://theappleblog.com/2007/03/19/looking-for-the-usefullness-in-twitter/#comment-14122 divigation Fri, 23 Mar 2007 06:24:13 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/03/19/looking-for-the-usefullness-in-twitter/#comment-14122 So I had to return and apologize and retract, due to the influx of TAB forum folk that have started using it as a network, I have gotten hooked on Twitter. It works nicely, plays well with GeekTool and now I am even starting to branch beyond the TAB guys and add others. It isn't my personal network of friends, but it is a nice way to have a particular level of communication with my geek/online friends. So I retract my earlier comment and say that clearly I was wrong about Twitter, though I make no claims to not bash the next trend without trying it out when it starts making the rounds. So I had to return and apologize and retract, due to the influx of TAB forum folk that have started using it as a network, I have gotten hooked on Twitter. It works nicely, plays well with GeekTool and now I am even starting to branch beyond the TAB guys and add others. It isn’t my personal network of friends, but it is a nice way to have a particular level of communication with my geek/online friends. So I retract my earlier comment and say that clearly I was wrong about Twitter, though I make no claims to not bash the next trend without trying it out when it starts making the rounds.

]]> By: Nick Santilli http://theappleblog.com/2007/03/19/looking-for-the-usefullness-in-twitter/#comment-14121 Nick Santilli Tue, 20 Mar 2007 17:21:07 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/03/19/looking-for-the-usefullness-in-twitter/#comment-14121 I'm down with the home automation uses. That could be REALLY cool. But as I'm not to that level of geek yet, I'm not seeing an immediately beneficial way to integrate it into my life. As some commented, it seems to be good if you've got friends who all use it - not just random people on the internets. But it's largely dependent on your network I guess. I agree mostly with LoiseM's comment, that it's probably just waiting for the right killer app to be married to it before it really shines for the masses. Guess we'll see. Thanks to all for sounding off here. Glad I'm not totally alone... I’m down with the home automation uses. That could be REALLY cool. But as I’m not to that level of geek yet, I’m not seeing an immediately beneficial way to integrate it into my life.

As some commented, it seems to be good if you’ve got friends who all use it – not just random people on the internets. But it’s largely dependent on your network I guess.

I agree mostly with LoiseM’s comment, that it’s probably just waiting for the right killer app to be married to it before it really shines for the masses. Guess we’ll see.

Thanks to all for sounding off here. Glad I’m not totally alone…

]]> By: LouiseM http://theappleblog.com/2007/03/19/looking-for-the-usefullness-in-twitter/#comment-14120 LouiseM Tue, 20 Mar 2007 17:10:24 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/03/19/looking-for-the-usefullness-in-twitter/#comment-14120 I haven't found it useful myself, but I have a sneaky feeling it may be a piece of infrastructure that is waiting for a 'killer app' to appear to make it relevant to the rest of us. Lifehack has some useful suggestions on how it could be used in a helpful way: http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifehack/5-ways-to-use-twitter-for-good.html I haven’t found it useful myself, but I have a sneaky feeling it may be a piece of infrastructure that is waiting for a ‘killer app’ to appear to make it relevant to the rest of us.
Lifehack has some useful suggestions on how it could be used in a helpful way:
http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifehack/5-ways-to-use-twitter-for-good.html

]]> By: Thomas http://theappleblog.com/2007/03/19/looking-for-the-usefullness-in-twitter/#comment-14090 Thomas Tue, 20 Mar 2007 03:58:15 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/03/19/looking-for-the-usefullness-in-twitter/#comment-14090 Reminded of a phrase of a certain SF writer "the street finds it's own use" do I have a clue of what that will be? Doubtful, but that I said the same of RSS, delicous, and tagging. It will get there and faster than most of us suspect. But I enjoy the ponder. Reminded of a phrase of a certain SF writer “the street finds it’s own use” do I have a clue of what that will be? Doubtful, but that I said the same of RSS, delicous, and tagging. It will get there and faster than most of us suspect. But I enjoy the ponder.

]]> By: mh http://theappleblog.com/2007/03/19/looking-for-the-usefullness-in-twitter/#comment-14091 mh Tue, 20 Mar 2007 02:57:21 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/03/19/looking-for-the-usefullness-in-twitter/#comment-14091 That's it though- it's not *great*, it's just a usable framework for broadcasting messages to a group (or everyone) that can choose whether or not to receive them. And once received, they can *safely be ignored*. When you message someone via IM, it's usually something that demands a response -- or is interpreted by lack of response. IM status messages are great too, but inconsistently supported across IM clients. Twitter gives the option to retrieve statuses on command. I can send the 'get' command via IM or SMS and see exactly what all my friends are doing on a Friday night. Or I can throw a message out for anyone who is active. Twitter is the backchannel that's meant to be ignored at most times but has the immediacy nonetheless. That’s it though- it’s not *great*, it’s just a usable framework for broadcasting messages to a group (or everyone) that can choose whether or not to receive them. And once received, they can *safely be ignored*. When you message someone via IM, it’s usually something that demands a response — or is interpreted by lack of response. IM status messages are great too, but inconsistently supported across IM clients.

Twitter gives the option to retrieve statuses on command. I can send the ‘get’ command via IM or SMS and see exactly what all my friends are doing on a Friday night. Or I can throw a message out for anyone who is active. Twitter is the backchannel that’s meant to be ignored at most times but has the immediacy nonetheless.

]]> By: blogjunkie http://theappleblog.com/2007/03/19/looking-for-the-usefullness-in-twitter/#comment-14092 blogjunkie Tue, 20 Mar 2007 02:39:36 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/03/19/looking-for-the-usefullness-in-twitter/#comment-14092 Alright, it's pretty obvious that all the haters don't like Twitter. I happen to love it. It's like blogging without the commitment. More importantly, Twitter plays up on human beings need to be social creatures. We like communicating and Twitter is a very easy, low-barrier way to communicate to potentially many. Alright, it’s pretty obvious that all the haters don’t like Twitter. I happen to love it. It’s like blogging without the commitment.

More importantly, Twitter plays up on human beings need to be social creatures. We like communicating and Twitter is a very easy, low-barrier way to communicate to potentially many.

]]> By: Thijs http://theappleblog.com/2007/03/19/looking-for-the-usefullness-in-twitter/#comment-14093 Thijs Tue, 20 Mar 2007 00:51:35 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/03/19/looking-for-the-usefullness-in-twitter/#comment-14093 Twitter is a great way for pushing messages to your media of choice (web, phone, IM, API-driven-things). Be it news feeds, status updates of systems / websites / services or just plain and simple communication. Twitter is a great way for pushing messages to your media of choice (web, phone, IM, API-driven-things). Be it news feeds, status updates of systems / websites / services or just plain and simple communication.

]]> By: madhu http://theappleblog.com/2007/03/19/looking-for-the-usefullness-in-twitter/#comment-14095 madhu Tue, 20 Mar 2007 00:02:06 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/03/19/looking-for-the-usefullness-in-twitter/#comment-14095 AFAIK u r not alone... count me in AFAIK u r not alone…
count me in

]]> By: Explaining the allure of Twitter » TechAddress http://theappleblog.com/2007/03/19/looking-for-the-usefullness-in-twitter/#comment-14094 Explaining the allure of Twitter » TechAddress Mon, 19 Mar 2007 23:22:54 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/03/19/looking-for-the-usefullness-in-twitter/#comment-14094 [...] Twitter’s release it’s often been characterized as useless, “away messages for adults.” For any high school student with 10 fingers and [...] [...] Twitter’s release it’s often been characterized as useless, “away messages for adults.” For any high school student with 10 fingers and [...]

]]> By: Matt Murray http://theappleblog.com/2007/03/19/looking-for-the-usefullness-in-twitter/#comment-14099 Matt Murray Mon, 19 Mar 2007 22:51:43 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/03/19/looking-for-the-usefullness-in-twitter/#comment-14099 To over-generalize, I suspect there is a strong inverse correlation between interest in twitter and whether one: - is married - has children - has a mortgage - exercises regularly - etc. To over-generalize, I suspect there is a strong inverse correlation between interest in twitter and whether one:

- is married
- has children
- has a mortgage
- exercises regularly
- etc.

]]> By: Jorge Quinteros http://theappleblog.com/2007/03/19/looking-for-the-usefullness-in-twitter/#comment-14098 Jorge Quinteros Mon, 19 Mar 2007 22:22:14 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/03/19/looking-for-the-usefullness-in-twitter/#comment-14098 Thank you for this great post! Everyone indeed has been raving about how great Twitter is and while it might be, I personally see no purpose for it. If you would want to know what someone is doing, wouldn't it be more logical to either call them or at least text them. There's no need to make random post about your location on the web. Who cares? Thank you for this great post! Everyone indeed has been raving about how great Twitter is and while it might be, I personally see no purpose for it. If you would want to know what someone is doing, wouldn’t it be more logical to either call them or at least text them. There’s no need to make random post about your location on the web. Who cares?

]]> By: sedated http://theappleblog.com/2007/03/19/looking-for-the-usefullness-in-twitter/#comment-14097 sedated Mon, 19 Mar 2007 22:21:32 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/03/19/looking-for-the-usefullness-in-twitter/#comment-14097 I am always interested in trying new things but I am staying clear of Twitter. I definitely would be able to add content, but I am not that self-absorbed thinking that everyone needs to know my business. Also, it is the type of anti-socail stuff that I have spent awhile getting away from, including IM. It is anti-social like MySpace is in some regards. I know so many people that instead of picking up the phone to say hi, will leave a comment on their friends MySpace or Facebook page. I agree with Ernest and trying to separate my online and real world, although a lot of things that I do kinda cross mingle. Twitter and IM is the type thing that is dehumanizing a lot of people. Don't get me wrong, it isn't always easy or even affordable to talk to people quite a distance away from you but people are using these sorts of things for people they see everyday. If you want to tell your friends what you have been up to, give them a call. It is much more engaging to hear someone laugh then to read HaHa or LOL. I am always interested in trying new things but I am staying clear of Twitter. I definitely would be able to add content, but I am not that self-absorbed thinking that everyone needs to know my business. Also, it is the type of anti-socail stuff that I have spent awhile getting away from, including IM. It is anti-social like MySpace is in some regards. I know so many people that instead of picking up the phone to say hi, will leave a comment on their friends MySpace or Facebook page. I agree with Ernest and trying to separate my online and real world, although a lot of things that I do kinda cross mingle. Twitter and IM is the type thing that is dehumanizing a lot of people. Don’t get me wrong, it isn’t always easy or even affordable to talk to people quite a distance away from you but people are using these sorts of things for people they see everyday. If you want to tell your friends what you have been up to, give them a call. It is much more engaging to hear someone laugh then to read HaHa or LOL.

]]> By: Raz http://theappleblog.com/2007/03/19/looking-for-the-usefullness-in-twitter/#comment-14096 Raz Mon, 19 Mar 2007 21:47:39 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/03/19/looking-for-the-usefullness-in-twitter/#comment-14096 I also thinks it's pretty much pointless... Writing about what I'm doing instead of doing it seems kinda stupid to me. I also thinks it’s pretty much pointless…
Writing about what I’m doing instead of doing it seems kinda stupid to me.

]]> By: Joshua Fryer http://theappleblog.com/2007/03/19/looking-for-the-usefullness-in-twitter/#comment-14100 Joshua Fryer Mon, 19 Mar 2007 21:23:37 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/03/19/looking-for-the-usefullness-in-twitter/#comment-14100 Oh, there's definitely some usefulness to Twitter. While I agree it is generally a glorified away message, that's not really what I use it for. I added BBC, CNN, and Winecast to my friends. This means I have BBC and CNN headlines sent to my choice of IM, mobile, or both. I'm also a wino and I love to hear what others have to say about wines from around the world. By being a friend of Winecast I get other people's tasting notes sent to me. Then I can run out and buy a bottle. Oh, there’s definitely some usefulness to Twitter. While I agree it is generally a glorified away message, that’s not really what I use it for. I added BBC, CNN, and Winecast to my friends. This means I have BBC and CNN headlines sent to my choice of IM, mobile, or both. I’m also a wino and I love to hear what others have to say about wines from around the world. By being a friend of Winecast I get other people’s tasting notes sent to me. Then I can run out and buy a bottle.

]]> By: Living Lonely » Explaining the allure of Twitter http://theappleblog.com/2007/03/19/looking-for-the-usefullness-in-twitter/#comment-14101 Living Lonely » Explaining the allure of Twitter Mon, 19 Mar 2007 20:40:25 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/03/19/looking-for-the-usefullness-in-twitter/#comment-14101 [...] Twitter’s release it’s often been characterized as useless, “away messages for adults.” For any high school student with 10 fingers and [...] [...] Twitter’s release it’s often been characterized as useless, “away messages for adults.” For any high school student with 10 fingers and [...]

]]> By: Paul Westbrook http://theappleblog.com/2007/03/19/looking-for-the-usefullness-in-twitter/#comment-14105 Paul Westbrook Mon, 19 Mar 2007 20:35:43 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/03/19/looking-for-the-usefullness-in-twitter/#comment-14105 I agree with you. I am not sure if Twitter is all that useful. The only potentially "useful" use of Twitter that I have see is integrating it with a home automatic system. http://www.oreillynet.com/mac/blog/2007/03/twittering_your_home.html?CMP=OTC-13IV03560550&ATT=Twittering+Your+Home Having an automatic system creating "tweets" makes the system more useful I agree with you. I am not sure if Twitter is all that useful. The only potentially “useful” use of Twitter that I have see is integrating it with a home automatic system.

http://www.oreillynet.com/mac/blog/2007/03/twittering_your_home.html?CMP=OTC-13IV03560550&ATT=Twittering+Your+Home

Having an automatic system creating “tweets” makes the system more useful

]]> By: Erik http://theappleblog.com/2007/03/19/looking-for-the-usefullness-in-twitter/#comment-14104 Erik Mon, 19 Mar 2007 20:13:01 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/2007/03/19/looking-for-the-usefullness-in-twitter/#comment-14104 I tried it and found it to be a completely useless waste of time. The fad factor is high on this one, imho. At some point this may be remembered as the high point of the "connecting is always good" ethos of the Web 2.0 era. Then again, I've been wrong before about new applications. I still don't understand why there are 500 different flavors of first-person shooter games, and I haven't yet transported my life wholesale into a MMPOG. Call me an old fogey. I tried it and found it to be a completely useless waste of time. The fad factor is high on this one, imho. At some point this may be remembered as the high point of the “connecting is always good” ethos of the Web 2.0 era.

Then again, I’ve been wrong before about new applications. I still don’t understand why there are 500 different flavors of first-person shooter games, and I haven’t yet transported my life wholesale into a MMPOG. Call me an old fogey.

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