Twitter!

I told you we'd get to this later, and I guess now's as good a time as any to get this out of the way.

So what is Twitter? Here's the boring Wikipedia definition:

Twitter is a social networking and micro-blogging service that allows users to send "updates" (text-based posts, up to 140 characters long) via SMS, instant messaging, the Twitter website, or an application such as Twitterrific. Twitter was founded in October 2006 by San Francisco start-up company Obvious Corp.Updates are displayed on the user's profile page and also instantly delivered to other users who have signed up to receive them. The sender can restrict delivery to those in his or her circle of friends (delivery to everyone is the default). Users can receive updates via the Twitter website, instant messaging, SMS, RSS, or through an application. For SMS, currently two gateway numbers are available: one for the USA and a UK number for international use. While the Twitter service is free, posting and receiving updates via SMS may incur charges from the wireless carrier.

Why do you care? If you're taking the time to build a Posh real estate website - you want people to see it. I think of Twitter as more of a tool for a large group chat. If I post a new blog entry that I think people might like, I Twit it. The people that are watching my Tweets (these are actual words, I promise), will see I have a new post, and they can click on the link to go directly to it. It's just one more way to share information.

Here's the how and why of my Twitter life:

Why - I had been hearing about Twitter for months on the net. I signed up, and invited all my friends - most of which said, "What the hell is this?" I posted about 5 tweets, and thought it was pointless. A few months later I was reading about SXSW, and they were talking about how Twitter was the most talked about thing there. I also noticed a lot of the Mac community that develops their sites with RapidWeaver (Easily the best webdesign tool for Mac - EVER) were using Twitter, so I gave it another try. This time it stuck. I am able to discuss web design tips with other developers, as well as chat with my real estate clients about their houses, or other Realtors about whatever we talk about. It's an interesting look into people's daily lives, and becomes quite addictive.

How - I use Twitter a few ways. I can sign in to twitter.com and watch the posts from there, or you can download any number of twitter plug-ins to use with your new browser - Firefox :-). I also use it on my cell. This is probably the easiest. I have unlimited text messages, so the tweets just come straight to my phone, and I'm able to update what I'm doing by posting "eating lunch (or whatever)" to 40404 (and it's free if you have unlimited text). When I'm on my Mac, I use Twitterrific. Very cool app to keep up with your friends.

If you do sign-up for a Twitter account, feel free to look me up. I can be found at http://twitter.com/ekday