Tweeting is the new linking, which was the new poking. What do all of these terms actually mean?! The words are part of the social networking jargon that millions of people use daily to interact with each other over the Internet.
Tweeting, the newest term among the three, refers to the increasingly popular communication service available at www.Twitter.com. [Ed. Note: Linking is a way to connect on LinkedIn, and poking is a feature on Facebook.]
Twitter has become a hit in the social networking world by moving beyond the typical categorizing of who you know by allowing users to become more personal and document their activities, thoughts, or interests any time during the day.
After signing up for a free account, users simply answer the one question “What are you doing?” to get started.
The space provided only allows for answers fewer than 140 characters. However, the content can be about anything the user wishes to share.
In addition to posting general content, Twitters can respond to other posters by using the @ sign in front of another person’s username. As a result, the response is sent directly to the username that was referenced.
Twitter users can also “follow” the updates of another user. By clicking the follow option, the username is added to a database, and the status updates are transferred to a home page. It offers a one-stop online location to receive updates and keep others informed.
Twitter updates can be made via the Internet portal, a cell phone text or an instant message.
As the service continues to grow among consumers, businesses as well as government organizations have started to take notice and release tweet updates of their own.
On a daily basis, the White House releases tweets about such topics as upcoming presidential addresses, press briefings, and policy updates.
Similarly, The Denver Post uses Twitter to keep readers up-to-date on late breaking news. Tweets are typically posted every few minutes.
Twitter is an exciting new tool to incorporate into one’s social network. From keeping in touch with a friend’s whereabouts to learning of the newest local restaurant opening, Twitter can further extend our exposure to valuable information.