Twitter : The Arguement

What is Twitter? Why do I want to use it? What's the point? Who cares? Can't I just use (insert other social networking site here)? All these questions will be answered - but first, watch this YouTube video below...

Let's start off with the pros, just because they're easier.

First off, we have the simplicity of the whole site. The layout is easy to get to grips with. The main content is on the left-hand column, the wider one. The one with all the updates of those that you are following, and the text box that you type into to update your status. On the right, you have the different options: home, @replies, direct messages, favourites, public timeline and who you're following. Each option takes you to a seperate page of the site and explains, in a small amount of words, what the page is. For example, clicking '@replies' on the right will take you to a page where "Updates beginning with @StevesTweet" are displayed. Click the image to the left to see my homepage on Twitter.

There's also the different messaging formats available. Not only do you have the default status updates available, but you also have the @replies available and the direct messaging. If you don't want to share a status with everyone, you can directly message one person, telling them what you're up to. If you're directing a update towards another Twitterer, then you type @ and then their username anywhere in the update and that person will see the update in their @replies, even if they aren't following you.

Then there's how quick it is to update. The maximum for an update is 140 characters, and as you can see from the video above, that isn't much space for an update. It doesn't take long to fill up and you can fill it up froma variety of different devices. You have the web, then you can set up your mobile to link in with your Twitter account, and update Twitter by text. You can also install applications onto your desktop, browser, or iPhone so that you don't even have to visit the website if you don't want to. Fantastic.

Who cares about what you're doing? The answer is, everyone. Any followers you get care what you're doing. It may not be many, but it still means they care what you're doing. It's not a popularity contest, so just enjoy yourself.

Moving on to the cons...

Of course, there are other sites, such as Facebook that offer these sorts of updates. Quite simply, however, these other sites are not focussed solely on what you're doing. Facebook may have the opportunity to update your status on most of the main pages, but it wasn't made for statuses. It was made for keeping in contact with friends. Comments, messages, groups, pages, photos, videos, etc. are what Facebook is used for. Plus, you can always add the Twitter Application on Facebook, which then links Twitter to Facebook, and then informs everyone that you used Twitter to update it.

The amount of fakes on Twitter is not so good. The last fake I saw was Richard Hammond, although that page has been deleted now. The fake used promises like "If I get to 1,000 followers by Sunday I'll talk about it on Top Gear!" Whilst it can be seen as funny (which it was) it's kind of a let down when you find out that he is not real thanks to a James May update. Still, see the funny side and move on I suppose. The amount of fakes is disturbing and you have to be careful who you follow. Facebook is pretty secure when it comes to fakes, so Twitter will have to tweak it's system slightly to prevent so many fakes.

Of course, the only way you'll ever be able to find out if Twitter is for you is to try it. Worst case scenario is you hate it and delete it. Sorted. Best case scenario is you love it and become an addict. I suppose that's not so good, either...