What it is.
How to use it.
How it can be a tool for a #KossackInvasionofSocialMedia.
Sound interesting?
Then meet me below the Fleur-de-kos....
NOTES:
1. All links are set up to open in a new Window
2. Today's TWEETer Tidbit
Is Twitter the next big Evolution of New Media?
Or just another #SoonToBeFading fad, like MyFace er, My Space?
I think Twitter, or at least some evolved form of it, is here to stay. It's an integrated, open-form, world-wide Communications Device without any filters.
It's the fabled Free Press of old, only without any Managing Editors. You'll have to decide for yourself if that is a benefit or not.
Like most of our modern technology, Twitter is a tool. And you know the old saying... when it comes to outcomes, "It's not the tool, it's the mechanic".
What makes a good mechanic?
Studied education (learned information on the subject)
Practical Experience (hands on learning)
Updating skills (learning new techniques when they are available)
Funny, but that is exactly how one becomes a successful TWEETer.
NOTE: There is a significant difference between Daily Kos and Twitter. |
Here at #DailyKos there is never a requirement to Register and become a User. Anyone who wants to read our output has merely to type into their address bar www.dailykos.com, and et voilà, read away.
#Twitter requires that you become a TWEETer if you want to be a Reader. |
So, tonight's diary is going to cover how to get on the Twittercrack, and how to use it (hopefully) without succumbing to it's
addictive allure...
First steps.
This video intro to Twitter can be found at Fly.Twitter.com, whose pages are interactive and a great introduction to Twitter...
REGISTER
1. You can choose any name you want, but it cannot contain any spaces.
2. My DKos nom-de-plume Angie in WA State became @AngieinWAState.
3. You will need an email address to register (like everywhere on the Internet). If you want to remain anonymous (as much as we can be these days), do what I did. Create a Gmail email address that matches your DailyKos #UIDname. Use that email to create your #TwitterUIDname. (and get used to putting that old-used-be-the-pound-sign character in front of a lot of words).
This is what the Twitter registration page looks like. You must have a valid email address to register on Twitter.
OK, now you are a registered TWEETer, what's next and how do you get there?
Twitter has that under control.
Back in ye olde days, when I joined Twitter back in 2009 (see below), it was pretty much "c'mon in dear, the water's fine", you know, register and drop you on your (then much more limited) Homepage. No video or 'how to' pages. So those who joined earlier (like me) may see some things here that look NEW to them - because they are!
As soon as you finish Registration, Twitter now flows you through some running start style pages (any or all of which you may SKIP THROUGH via the handy link at the bottom left of each section).
Up first: What do all of those Icons mean and how do I use them?
Page 1 of the
Fly.Twitter help files. Each Icon represents a section of these Help Files.
Home:
Your Homepage on Twitter has a wealth of information. The new simple design flows across the site, putting everything a click away: statistics, tweets from those YOU follow, direct-to-you Tweets. It's your Twitter HUB.
Connect:
See the ways that Twitter can help Connect you to both new people and old friends alike.
DISCOVER:
When you use the Discover function, you'll find information reflecting what already interests you and those you are already Connected to - because you've told Twitter what you like by your location, language and connections.
Me:
Which is actually you, and not me.
Upload your Icon (if you want one).
Tell Twitter and the world about yourself here.
Speak Up. Tweet:
No matter where you are on Twitter, just click the new TWEET button (the #BlueQuill in a box), and Speak Up, instantly sending your message (of 140 or fewer characters) and even images, out to the world.
I started using Twitter on March 22, 2009. How do I know that?
www.twtrland.com (which I am assuming stands for
TwitterLand). You pop in the Twitter UID, and there it is. I highly recommend to all DKos TWEETers. You can find some interesting things about your Twitter use, including the day you started using Twitter. (somethings even Twitter doesn't show you)
Making
www.twtrland.com a #MustUse for those who see Twitter as a TOOL and not merely a toy.
Features like this graphic, showing you how much you are writing vs RTing or Retweeting.
Today's TWEETer TIDBIT:
RT and
re-Tweet are NOT the same thing. Ok, so what is the difference?
RT means you copy and paste the Tweet you read (or part of it) into a new Tweet, and type the RT (as capitals, just as shown, please) at the beginning of the Tweet.
re-Tweeting means you click the Re-Tweet link at the bottom of every Tweet. You type nothing. You merely ensure that this Tweet you are reading is also seen by anyone who follows you on Twitter.
On the Saturday Edition of DKos TWEETers, you will find a diary on How To |
1. embed Tweets |
2. Vote on the new DKosTWEETers hashtag. That one is too damn long. I don't want to have to choose it myself. There will be a POLL. Don't miss it! |
See you tomorrow!
Return to top
Here is a (for Twitter) short list to start you off. These are mainly politically-oriented TWEETers, as you might expect from a fellow Kossack:
MISC
Siri
@SLSiri
Liberal, progressive and curious by nature. Tweeting about US & global politics, major events and some random things that spark my interest.
Vincent Romaniello
@romaniello_art
Nationally recognized fine artist. Installation, painting, sculpture, video. Based in Brooklyn, NY. romanblog2.blogspot.com
Tina Susner
@qwisp
Jake Shears
@Jakeshears
singer, dancer, scissor, sister
ELECTED past and present & Staff
(note: at first, I didn't follow any (R)s or TBag(R)s, but you know what they say, "Keep your friends close, but keep your enemies closer)
Bill Clinton
@realWJClinton
The Only Twitter of the former President William Jefferson Clinton
Austan Goolsbee
@Austan_Goolsbee
Professor of economics at University of Chicago Booth School of Business and former Chairman of the Council of
Economic Advisers
Bill Burton (EOP)
@billburton44
An official WH twitter account. Comments & messages received through official WH pages are subject to the PRA and may be archived. Learn more wh.gov/privacy
Obama 2012
@Obama2012
This account is the official #Obama2012 destination for news, views, and answers to your questions.
Scott P. Brown
@ScottBrownMA
Serving the great people of Massachusetts in the United States Senate, I'd love to update you via SMS, text BROWN to 68398 to stay connected.
HOLLYWOOD
Kal Penn
@kalpenn
I heart America. I like water & books. Love my job. A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas is out on DVD now.
(Deez opinions are my own).
Carrie Fisher
@CarrieFFisher
Metaphors be with you all & Instant gratification takes too long.
Sarah Silverman
@SarahKSilverman
We're all just molecules, Cutie.
TRADMED (traditional media)
(Please note, my following these TRADMED sources implies NO approval of content by me)
Jeff Zeleny
@jeffzeleny
National Political Correspondent, The New York Times
Anderson Cooper
@andersoncooper
Personal tweets by Anderson Cooper. Anchor of @ac360, weeknights at 8p/ET & 10p/ET on @cnn and daytime talk show host of @anderson, airing weekdays.
HowardKurtz
@HowardKurtz
Newsweek/Daily Beast guy, host of CNN's Reliable Sources, contributor to Daily-Download.com
POLITICO
@politico
Politics, Political News
NEW MEDIA (Blogosphere,Online News)
Brad Friedman
@TheBradBlog
The official RSS feed and more from BradBlog.com. Fighting for truth, election reform, media reform & more. It's not about right and left, but right and wrong.
Karl Frisch
@KarlFrisch
Columnist. Radio Host-ish. Gay. Partner at @bullfightstrat. Former @mmfa senior fellow. Former @dscc and @louiseslaughter flack. Views here are his own.
LAW ENFORCEMENT RELATED
Northeast Bravest @NEBALERTS
Incident alerts, photos, videos and more for The Northeast Bravest...
DAILY KOS TWEETers
@cishart
- on DKos as cishart
@AngelaQuattrano
Life is way more complicated than you thought it was going to be. Be very afraid.
- on DKos as Angela Quattrano
@rlchemist
Retired chemist, follow the SF Giants/ 49ers and enjoy science related topics.
- on DKos as sfcouple
@GlenThePlumber
- on DKos as Glen the Plumber
@cskendrick
Financial analyst for 20 years, five of it in industry analysis/communications role. Writing a novel series now. I'll keep you posted. :)
- on DKos as cskendrick
@tomtomorrow
Creator of weekly cartoon This Modern World, Pearl Jam album cover artist, proud dad.
- on DKos as Tom Tomorrow
@mksinsa
Army brat turned Army vet who's in it to win it. GoBama! Join me & tell the world #WhyImVoting4Obama
- on DKos as MKSinSA
I Think MIGHT BE Kossacks
TBogg @tbogg
TBogg is unable to whistle using his fingers...or anyone else's
-- on DailyKos there is a UID with this name (a href="http://www.dailykos.com/user/tbogg">tbogg), joined the same day I did way back in 2003, but empty of any comments or diaries... are you lurking here TBogg?
@TexMexElsa
Science educator/entomologist Some times a blogger for ShelterBox