Do you Twitter?

[mrtr33]

Short answer: no.

I do think the long answer is a bit more complicated, however.

Like DW alluded to in his earlier post, there are some conceivable uses for Twittering. I also think that the Twitter community really has yet to grasp how it can best be (read: purposefully) used. It's obviously a "catchy" technology, but much like Instant Messaging was in the late 90's/early 2000's, and cell phone texting, these technologies merely serve as fashionable communication vehicles for the masses. I think it would be more interesting to see practical uses embraced by traditional industries. For instance, if I was a teacher for a class, and wanted to reach my student base quickly about a change or mistake previously unforseen in that evening's homework, I could send out a tweet to my class. Maybe I am a bar or a restaurant, and I want to let those that subscribe to my tweets about the fabulous band that's playing that evening. Maybe I'm the marketing manager for a small business, and I want to let my customers know of an upcoming event or sale. There are plenty of other possibilities available that remain undiscovered.

I guess I still feel like the vast majority of individuals that are online (nevermind those who aren't) have not yet recognized the potential of web 2.0 technologies. What I'm trying to figure out is if they even need to. What's the point of all the cutting edge technology if it's being used for trite purposes? Well, for one, technology, at least historically, continuously evolves. Regardless if it "catches on" or not, someone will either replicate the technology, or evolve something out of the existing technology (see Twiddict).

What I find most interesting about Twitter is how it makes money. How does it make money? They sell no ads. They charge no fees. That business strategy is perplexing to me.

[ggiese]

What I find most interesting about Twitter is how it makes money. How does it make money? They sell no ads. They charge no fees. That business strategy is perplexing to me.

Like everything else that didn't seem to conceivably make money when it was first rolled out (i.e. Arpanet, Mosaic, Yahoo, Google, etc.) Eventually someone will find a commercial revenue stream - the technology base will be sold for millions - and everyone (theoretically) will be happy...

[CoventryCat86]

I think it's bullshit and childish. I refuse to have anything to do with it.

Might be a good place to sell humidors though.

[NullSmurf]

I think it's bullshit and childish. I refuse to have anything to do with it.

Might be a good place to sell humidors though.

Or cigars, software, consulting services. I can "unfollow" and ban anybody I find boring or shilling.

edit to add: 2 of my 4 sons use it. Its kind of handy to see what's on their mind during the day.

[bigwhiteash]

I think it's simply the next new thing.. much like text messaging, myspace, facebook... just another way to transmit information, however useless it may be.


I guess I'll consider myself old when I don't find this stuff interesting.


BTW.. No, I don't twitter, but I'm going to check it out just fir S&G's