Twitter is a free social networking and micro-blogging service that enables its users to send and read each others’ updates, known as tweets. Tweets are text-based posts of up to 140 characters, displayed on the author’s profile page and delivered to other users – known as followers – who have subscribed to them. Senders can restrict delivery to those in their circle of friends or, by default, allow open access. Users can send and receive tweets via the Twitter website, Short Message Service (SMS) or external applications.
Click here to tweet with me
So, you want to get started with twittering but don’t know how? Easy! Visit the Twitter website and click “Join for free” to create your account. Consider using your real name as your user name to help your friends find you more easily.
Once your account is created, login and click “Settings.” From here, you can setup your account details, manage your password, register your mobile phone and IM account, configure how you receive Notices, upload your photo and customize your account’s design. Your Twitter page is located at twitter.com/your-username
Some people tweet everything from what they are thinking at any given second to sharing links and deeper thoughts, quotes, Bible verses and more! I used to think it was stupid and a waste of time but once I was set up it’s actually a pretty quick way to gather a whole lot of information. Having said that, I do get annoyed at people who tweet what they had for breakfast or when they shaved their legs! I also get a bit cross when individual people (as opposed to businesses) post the same links over and over again. It’s a bit like spam to me. However, these messages can simply be blocked of hidden so that I don’t see them.
Widgets can be enabled that feed directly from your twitter feeds to your blog or Facebook or anywhere else! That can be a good way to keep friends and family up to date. You can see my latest tweets by either visiting my twitter profile or by simply viewing the front page of my blog.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddO9idmax0o
Do you Tweet? Why don’t you leave me your Twitter name in the comments so I can pop over to your profile?
I thought long and hard about this and decided not to be a twit…or is that a tweet? :laugh:
Seriously, I know that as a writer I *should* jump into this with both feet but I decided that Facebook would be the extent of my social networking. It’s just too blasted easy for me to while away HOURS on the internet.
Nothing against it…just want to guard my internet usage so it doesn’t interfere with real life.
I have a twitter account but rarely post anything on it. I am the same as you Susan and get annoyed at what people had for breakfast or what time they shaved their legs.
I see some people following a huge amount of people and wonder how the heck they keep up with them. I am only following people that I know from other places now.
Hi Theresa with an ‘a’,
Oh I know what you mean. Once I got my head around it and spent a little time on it, I actually find that it isn’t time consuming. In fact, it allows me to get lots of info in a short space of time. I’ve now got additional plugins in place so that I only tweet once but it shows up in different places. It might look like a lot but once set up, it’s not. However, it did take me some while to set it all up and understand it, so I totally know what you mean.
Therese with an ‘e’,
I have even stopped following a good friend because I just couldn’t handle all the tweets which were, in my opinion, akin to spam. Thanks for stopping by.
W-e-e-e-l-l-l-l, I had a Twitter account, but it nearly sent me insane – so I deleted it. Mine was “supposedly” for my business, but because I already struggle with the amount of time I spend on the computer, Twitter was just ANOTHER thing that sapped precious time away from other things which need my attention.
In the end, I sat and thought about whether I actually really cared about what I was reading (NO), did people actually really care about what I was writing (probably NOT), did it encourage me or add to my life in a different way (NO) …. so I flicked the switch and became a non-Twitterer. I had withdrawals for the first day or so, then I got over it, and enjoyed the extra time to do something else (like sweep the floors, or play a game, or read a book to my kids).
It IS fun, but for me it was addictive, so I’m better off without it.
Fee 🙂
That’s good Fee. It’s always a good thing when we are in control of our internet time instead of it controlling us eh? 😉
Even though I have an easily-addictive personality I could give FB and Twitter away in a second…but for now, they’re serving a purpose. 🙂 Good onya!
I’m no twitter girl, though one of my blog ladies mentioned recently that she found my blog update on twitter. No idea how that works!
As the other ladies, I have not tried it because I spend enough time “playing” already. I also (after a very brief jaunt) gave facebook the flick, because I honestly am not interested in the minor, day to day details of MY OWN life, much less another persons! I could, honestly I could, waste hours more of my time on the computer and still enjoy it, but I’d need a maid, cook and nanny to get away with it. Sigh. So until then, I’ll stick with the AHS forum, and my blogging habits.
Good to know that you’re up with it, though: I’ll have someone to run to for help if I ever succumb. 😉
Oh! Susan, can you please make the subscribe to comments box ticked by default? I always remember it AFTER I press the submit button. 😎
Hi BB,
Hmmm I’ll fish around and see if I can do it as a default. I don’t usually like to force things on people and I’d rather give them the choice. 😉 However, I wonder if you have noticed that you can receive all my blog comments (if the need so overtakes you) via RSS Feeds? Details can be found on my subscribing page.
Yes, I had noticed, but when I clicked the button, none of the options were in the kind of English I recognize. :nerd:
As for forcing the option on people, here I am begging you to make it the default. Seriously, who wouldn’t want to know when their comment had been answered? And I declare, I only ever remember the tick the box option after I have hit the submit button.
If there really was a strange variety of soul out there who didn’t want to know what you had to say in response (though I can’t imagine such a one), then they can always untick the box!
xx
Well my friend I’m sorry to report that I cannot make it to subscribe via default. Grrr, how’s that? It’s just one more thing to remember.
However, you can subscribe to the comments in a thread without leaving a comment by simply filling in the box below the comment text box.
It’s very strange that the Comment RSS feed options aren’t working for you. :nerd: I’ve checked and double checked them and they are working for me…although I did have a lot of trouble when feedburner migrated to google. Arghh!
I would love to tweet with you. I have made many new friends on twitter & found it very useful. I guard my time so not to allow it to become a time waster.
@danabailey
Sorry for commenting here Susan, but just wanted to let you know I’ve sent an email tonight about my (new) Blog. I hope you receive it okay. If you don’t, can you email me please?
Thanks,
Fee 🙂