Describing Twitter in Plain English

Twitter

I’m a big fan of Twitter (even though we’ve had our differences in the past - mostly due to my not “getting it”). While my updates may not be as fast, furious or incessant as some of the people whom I follow, I do try to pop on there as often as is feasible without completely kneecapping my productivity at work and home.

Whenever I mention Twitter to my non-techie friends and family, I’m often asked what it is and I can never quite articulate it without making it sound like some über-nerd service that only computer people use. It’s frustrating, because it’s such a fun service (and potential time sink - you’ve been warned, uninitiated readers) and I really wish more people used it.

Fortunately, I found this great video (via Twitter, oddly enough) that does a fantastic job of explaining just what Twitter actually is and why it’s so freakin’ cool.


Oh, and if you haven’t already, I encourage you to sign up, then follow me :)
(Hat tip to Chris Rodgers)

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March 5, 2008 | Filed Under Distractions, Practical, Technology 

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14 Responses to “Describing Twitter in Plain English”

  1. Xavier on March 5th, 2008

    I’m still in the initial state of mind that you described “I don’t get it” … I mean I know what it is, I even registered with Twitter, and I’m following a few people.

    But I still don’t understand the added value …

    I don’t see how I can interest people in saying that “I’m going to bed”, or why I should use Twitter to let them know that “I have just found out about a great website” (=> I can use my blog, delicious , netvibes, …. to do that), or that I just posted on my blog (what would RSS be for then?) ….

    Since you have apparently seen the light at some point, could you describe me how you came to love Twitter?

  2. Jenn Searls on March 6th, 2008

    I’m right there with Xavier. I understand it. I’ve signed up. I’ve seen multiple bloggers rave about it. I still don’t get it.

  3. Xavier on March 6th, 2008

    Thanks Jenn, I might be normal after all!

    ;o)

  4. Tim on March 6th, 2008

    Oh man, I remember the initial hesitancy to jump onto the latest, newest, bandwagon. I didn’t get it either. Not sure if I do yet as I’m still pretty in consistent in my “twittering”. But, I have made some great connections that I wouldn’t have otherwise (like this blog) and had great conversations with people in my area that I met through Twitter.

    Thanks for hunting down the video.. now instead of trying to explain Twitter to my family I can just let them see it. Sure saves on the awkward looks and head scratching.

  5. Charlie Gilkey on March 6th, 2008

    I’m with Xavier and Jenn. I understand it, but don’t “get it.” I also worry that if I do get it, I’ll spend more time tweeting than working. I’ve seen some people I respect worry about this. Between Crackberries, blogs, text messaging, AIM, and so forth, when are we supposed to get anything done?

  6. aestuatum.info on March 6th, 2008

    Describing Twitter in Plain English…

    Mit jedem Büroneubau, mit jedem edel renovierten Stadtquartier verschwanden die Möglichkeiten einer kostengünstigen Zwischennutzung; oftmals die einzige Möglichkeit ein subkulturelles Programm aufrecht zu erhalten. In Deutschland wird darüber seit…

  7. mul-timedi-a.net on March 6th, 2008

    Describing Twitter in Plain English…

    Ein scharfes Schwert schneidet sehr, eine scharfe Zunge noch viel mehr.Der Leser findet heraus, dass seine Badarmaturen von Grohe aus einer Unternehmensgruppe kommen, die einen Anteil am Weltmarkt von zehn Prozent hat. Herr Sobek, wie muss das Haus der…

  8. Adrienne on March 6th, 2008

    For those of you who don’t “get it”, Twitter, for me at least, has been a way for me to leave myself Post-it notes in digital form. A song I hear on streaming radio that I want to check out when I get home. A reminder to get milk from the store. Or just something funny I heard.
    Does it make me a better employee? It has at times. When I’m in the middle of work and my boss runs up and says “Make sure you blah-blah-blah”, I can either text myself or Twitter right on my desktop and make sure it doesn’t get lost in a mound of sticky notes on my desk.
    That’s the personal value *I* have gleaned from it. But to each his own.

  9. Oh, Twitter! » Twitter in Plain English [Video] on March 7th, 2008

    […] seen at Cranking Widgets) Tags: twitter in plain english, video First posted on March 7, […]

  10. lisa on March 7th, 2008

    “Filed under: Distractions, Practical, Technology ”

    I think it’s pretty funny that this article praising Twitter is filed under “distractions” :)

  11. Twitter in plain English « Not Nurse Ratched on March 8th, 2008

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  12. Hanjo on March 9th, 2008

    Twitter is what I used to do in the old days: drive around town and have a look, where all my friends were, jeudgung from their cars - this was the 80ies. Then we left a changing message on an answering machine. Then we called, texted etc. Twitter allows you reach all people you want in a second, and allows you to be reached. This is te core: we will be at xyz, or, going to library. There, Twitter is useful. So, essentially Twitter is driving around in a car, looking for your friends parked cars:)))))

  13. Billy Bob on March 12th, 2008

    Twitter is a few people trying to be the next ‘facebook’. Personally, ive had it with social sites. Put down the mtn dew and go outside and meet real people - its good for acne and real social skills

  14. Having fun with Twitter « Face Like Fizz on April 20th, 2008

    […] I regularly read had Twitter links. And it’s mentioned almost every week on MacBreak Weekly. The Cranking Widgets Blog had a link last month to a fantastic Paperworks video, Twitter in Plain English. It looked fun so […]

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