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Twitter Updates
Jul
6
On Micro-blogging
July 6, 2008 | Tagged microblogging, social networks, twitter |
Not too long ago, a friend of mine, jsuplido, left the social network arena. This prompted me to re-evaluate my reasons as to why I am active in various social networking sites and also thought of quitting with Joel. However, I find it counter-productive, in a way. Why?
First of all, I do it because I cannot find that much time blogging as I used to. I have three blogs to maintain, this and two other professional blog sites. In fact, it is easier for me to keep updating my tumblelog. OTOH, micro-blogging makes it faster to get feedback from your readers compared to a full blog. Whilst I do not know why 140-characters is the limit, maybe increasing it to something like 200 would be better but that is a minor point.
Second, I only frequent select sites like Facebook, Twitter and FriendFeed. Facebook makes it easy to link professionally - friends and colleagues, mostly. Twitter is my main micro-blogging site and FriendFeed goes in tandem with Twitter for easier comment tracking via threads. The Twitter-Friendfeed tandem, however, has a down-side, i.e., traffic (comments and replies) do not always go to your main blog but instead go to FriendFeed.
Lastly, the A-list bloggers are over at Twitter. Getting information from them is easier to track than waiting for them to blog. Don’t get me wrong, Google Reader is a great tool for RSS but then again, how often do they post a blog just to post a link or two? Besides, Twitter also makes corporate announcements easier!
Yeah, I have accounts on Plurk, identi.ca, Jaiku, Pownce, you name it. However, Twitter still trumps them despite Twitter’s FailWhale visits! At the end of the day, if you do not get to follow your favorite people, then there is no point in getting into other Twitter-wannabes. Identi.ca still lacks a lot of features. Jaiku and Pownce simply do not cut it. Plurk was ok, at first. However, too much ajax is not good for your health (besides, it is Friendster-like, i.e., too many Filipinos).
So, if you want to catch up with what I am doing, look for me at Twitter, FriendFeed and Facebook. I just hope that Joel will return… to Twitter! 
Comments
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Hey, thanks for linking to my post. I just want to add more:
Even if my original post sounded as if I decided (in minutes) to cut off everything, it was actually the result of months of bouts with questions on the purpose of these sites.
In the end, I’ve realized that I get the same amount of info (if not more) from my RSS feeds. These feeds have been trimmed with “bonsai-like” precision over the years and only provides news of interest. There’s “noise” too but not as much as those that I read from the social sites.
I can also update my friends about my “status” via IM. It also feels great to just indicate that I’m “Available” or “Busy.”
Finally, I have nothing against the social sites. If you find it useful then I’m happy for you!
Hello Sir. I saw your exasperation over at Plurk. I share the same sentiments.
I only hope Twitter won’t be finally be able to handle us all. See you around the campus.