In predictions for 2009 I said that I thought Twitter would catch on and finally become popular with "the kids". What I mean is that non-geeks will begin seeing it for the incredible tool that it is. Later when listening to the Buzz Out Loud prediction show, I heard Tom Merritt make the same prediction. I know a lot of my regular readers read my twitters (they are supposed to be called tweets, but that is just so stupid that I refuse to) because I can see when you click on the links from my feed in the sidebar. So my goal today is to get you to try out Twitter, and explain what it is exactly. Next week I will post about different ways of using it, cool apps and stats, and some ways not to use it.
Twitter is microblogging, for lack of a better term. You get 140 characters to say whatever you want. Here's how it works. You sign up, choose people to follow, then participate. Your page will automatically show you all the updates of the people you follow. Likewise, everyone who follows you will see all your updates.
You can update it from the web or by text message. You can also post pics to twitter using twitpic.com. It allows people to see into the lives of those you follow. And in turn your followers can see what you are up to. You can use it for prayer requests, to send out information or to keep up with old friends. I follow people I know from college and from seminary. And if you sign up, let me know and I'll follow you as well.
You can keep track of your twitter feed on the twitter.com website, but the best way to use twitter on your computer is http://www.twhirl.org/ Twhirl works with Mac & PC and is a very handy tool. (You will also need to install adobe air)
Here's a list of a few cool people to follow to get you started. (I don't follow the last few)
me - https://twitter.com/jmmath Ed Stetzer - https://twitter.com/edstetzer Mark Hall (from Casting Crowns) - https://twitter.com/markhallCC Tom Rainer (Pres. of Lifeway) - https://twitter.com/ThomRainer Alvin Reid - https://twitter.com/docreid7 Darth Vader - https://twitter.com/darthvader Natalie Grant - https://twitter.com/NatalieGrant MC Hammer (Can't touch this) - https://twitter.com/mchammer Shaquille O'Neil - http://twitter.com/THE_REAL_SHAQ Greg Grunberg (Weiss from Alias) - http://twitter.com/greggrunberg
You can always just sign up and try it out. Let me know how you feel about it in the comments.