| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
John W
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 3367
Location: Warwickshire, UK
|
 Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2010 11:35 am Post subject: Twitter |
 |
|
I joined Twitter a while ago so I could look at other Twits pages that I'd been referred to.
I've never tweeted myself so my page has been blank, somehow picked up two 'followers', I know them but ignored them 
Then today I decided to follow Tweets from the professional institution that I am a member of, and now MY page is full of 20 and more of their tweets....
I don't get it.
If I follow others are all their tweets just going to be on my page as one big long mixed up list?
_________________
-
John W |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
ColinB
Guest
|
| Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2010 11:41 am Post subject: Re: Twitter |
|
|
| John W wrote: | Then today I decided to follow Tweets from the professional institution that I am a member of, and now MY page is full of 20 and more of their tweets....
I don't get it. |
When you click to "follow" another set of Tweets you're effectively saying: "I want to see your tweets as they're submitted". Your own Twitter page then displays them as they're submitted.
Your "page" isn't a static page as it is with a standard HTML web page, it's dynamic. To subscribe to / follow someone's tweets is to subscribe to a "feed" which your browser then "pulls" live and dynamically.
| John W wrote: | | If I follow others are all their tweets just going to be on my page as one big long mixed up list? |
Yes, because what you're doing is electing to display live feeds from a combination of sources and that's the result. You can actually filter this though.
I get a lot of news and industry information from such Twitter feeds and I find it really useful. I also use Twitter to provide a live feed from my own website - and this is proving to be really good in improving web optimisation and traffic. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Ian Robinson
Site Admin
Joined: 11 Dec 2006
Posts: 3597
Location: Chorley, Lancashire
|
| Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2010 11:52 am Post subject: |
|
|
I love Twitter but it takes a while to get used to.
Basically, if WE go to your page John we'll see nothing because you've not tweeted. But if you go to your page (and logged in) you'll see what all the people you follow have tweeted. Some may tweet considerably more than others, but they will all be in one feed. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Rachel
Guest
|
| Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2010 12:07 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| I hate Twitter. It makes no sense to me at all. A pointless stream of pointless information. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ColinB
Guest
|
| Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2010 12:42 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Rachel wrote: | | I hate Twitter. It makes no sense to me at all. A pointless stream of pointless information. |
I guess it is..... if you have no need whatever for any bit of the information that's available. In that respect it's much like the internet, really - or newspapers, or magazines, or books..... etc.
If, on the other hand, there's a stream of information that you need from a known supplier of that information who happens to provide brief 140-character summaries and containing a link to that info on a constantly-updating feed basis, then it's not a pointless stream of pointless information.
For the person requiring such information, it becomes a useful stream of useful information, does it not? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Helen May
Joined: 10 Dec 2006
Posts: 19299
Location: Cheshire
|
| Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2010 2:02 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I can't see the point of it either Rachel! In fact I'm using the computer less and less these days.
H
_________________
88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!
I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ColinB
Guest
|
| Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2010 2:56 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Helen May wrote: | | I can't see the point of it either Rachel! In fact I'm using the computer less and less these days. |
Blimey - I would I could say that about computers! There's just no escape from them.
As for whether there's a need for Twitter and the likes, I guess it's down to what we individually need. I don't see the need for Motorcycle Weekly or Civil Engineering magazines or millions of websites, podcasts, radio stations, etc - the reason being that I just don't have a need for the information they contain. However, someone, somewhere does, and that's why they exist. Same with Twitter. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
SantaFefan
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 11258
Location: top of the cliffs in Norfolk
|
| Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2010 5:53 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I wrote a letter yesterday and posted it!... 
_________________
Johnnie Walker read out my message on Pirate Radio!  13/8/07
I have heard how radio should be. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
John W
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 3367
Location: Warwickshire, UK
|
| Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2010 6:06 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Today I posted a cheque to pay my credit card!
AND popped down to the post office to pay my power bills, by cheque!
(though I did tell npower the meter readings on-line).
I like using my cheque book and my post office!
_________________
-
John W |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ruddlescat
Joined: 16 Sep 2010
Posts: 18010
Location: Near Chester
|
| Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2010 6:19 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Yes I use my local post office as much as possible and I always go there to renew my car tax simply because people need to use the services otherwise the powers that be will have the excuse they are looking for to close our local facilities making everything done on line.
That's fine for people like me but I wouldn't want the elderly to lose their post offices many of whom are frightened by modern technology
Post Offices are like pubs they are part of the social fabric of many commmunities and in fact not long ago I actually went in a pub which also housed the local post office
What a great idea
_________________
Are you ready for a Ruddles? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
SantaFefan
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 11258
Location: top of the cliffs in Norfolk
|
| Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2010 6:23 pm Post subject: |
|
|
an' a firsscht classsh st...staa.. erp!..amp pleeash...
_________________
Johnnie Walker read out my message on Pirate Radio! 13/8/07
I have heard how radio should be. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ColinB
Guest
|
| Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2010 7:23 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Funny how we're all using a web forum, which is basically a set of publically-accessible php scripts which sit on a remote web server and whose posts data is stored in a MySQL Database. Progress, eh?
Still, the post office that has its own pub sounds like a bloody good idea to me, so to hell with progress!!!!!!! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
RockitRon
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 7646
|
| Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2010 9:34 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| John W wrote: | Today I posted a cheque to pay my credit card!
AND popped down to the post office to pay my power bills, by cheque!
(though I did tell npower the meter readings on-line).
I like using my cheque book and my post office! |
An expensive way of doing it, John. Most energy companies give a discount for paperless billing and/or direct debits (although Virgin has just written to customers saying that, as the majority of them are now on paperless billing the discount for that is being withdrawn!  )
The credit card companies do not yet charge for payment by cheque, as opposed to online banking or direct debit, but it wouldn't surprise me if they did.
_________________
Ron |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Soulsister
Joined: 14 Sep 2010
Posts: 242
Location: Good Old Sussex by the Sea
|
| Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2010 9:47 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Have to agree with Rachel.
I'm on it - as of two weeks ago - and I still can't see the point of it. I have a look at my page once a day, and it's this great long list of twitters from the few things I'm following. Who in hell has got the time to sit and click through that lot, and I'm only following about half a dozen 
The Radio 2 one in particular is just a list of who's on now - Ken Bruce on air, Jeremy Vine on air etc. etc, which I know already anyway. I'm also getting linked twitters from the sites I'm following - so I get tweets from people or organisations I've never heard of.
It was explained on here that you are supposed to link it to your mobile phone - but given the number of tweets I'm getting the friggin phone would be going off every other second and there's no way I could be doing with that.
There may be a knack to it - but whatever it is - I haven't got it. If the more enlightened on here can explain, it would be appreciated  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ColinB
Guest
|
| Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2010 10:10 pm Post subject: |
|
|
The problem with social networking tools like Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc., is that our perceptions are shaped by those who use them for entirely frivolous ends. However, as far as Twitter is concerned, it's important to use it as a means of satisfying a particular need.
As I mentioned earlier, if there's a need for an up-to-second information feed from anywhere on the planet that provides small packets of info as constant updates of news or information, then Twitter is absolutely ideal.
Recently, I followed a Twitter feed from an important conference in the USA from a person who was a delegate and who was updating the feed from his iPhone. It was vital (for me) to know what was being discussed and Twitter's updates were the perfect solution to all those who were following the feed (by invitation, I should add).
Sure, the person on the "supply" end could have phoned everybody once a minute or sent text messages or sent to an email list from a laptop. But he Tweeted the bursts of info.
It was the most effective and efficient way to do it.
Technology works best when it satisfies a need - but if the end user wishes for it to be only a toy (like Facebook is regarded by so many users) then that's what it will be for that user. If, however, there's no need for the info then there's no need to use it. That's why I don't subscribe to Motorcycle Weekly. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
John W
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 3367
Location: Warwickshire, UK
|
| Posted: Sat Oct 16, 2010 9:41 am Post subject: |
|
|
Col, you are trying very hard to convince us on Twitter 
So those really important bursts of info, how did you filter them from all the other followed stuff?
_________________
-
John W |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Mark Mayhew
Joined: 11 Dec 2006
Posts: 2897
|
| Posted: Sat Oct 16, 2010 10:39 am Post subject: |
|
|
I am a big LinkedIn fan-my wife refers to it as Facebook for intellectuals.
Certainly a very good site if you are looking for a job. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ColinB
Guest
|
| Posted: Sat Oct 16, 2010 2:46 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| John W wrote: | | So those really important bursts of info, how did you filter them from all the other followed stuff? |
Two ways - either don't follow more than you need to, or set up different user accounts.
Most users try to get as many followers as possible, and that's OK if you need to propagate links for publicity or search engine optimisation purposes, but if you only need to keep an eye on particular feeds then it's a good idea to keep a specific log-in/profile for that purpose.
I have feeds dedicated to particular classes of information. For instance, I have one that just keeps an eye on developments and rumours for Apple iPod/iPad etc. I have others that watch feeds on particular software, etc. Part of my work (technology journalism) requires that I'm "in the loop" and Twitter is the ideal way of achieving this.
Like I said above, it's great if you have a need for the info that Twitter feeds contain but if there's no need then it's fine to say that it's "of no use".
| Mark Mayhew wrote: | I am a big LinkedIn fan-my wife refers to it as Facebook for intellectuals.
Certainly a very good site if you are looking for a job. |
I use it, too. The problem with LinkedIn is that many users take it too seriously. I often feel like telling some people to get a life!!!!! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
iwarburton
Joined: 08 Dec 2006
Posts: 2133
Location: Northumberland
|
| Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2010 6:01 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I registered on Twitter on an impulse and got no further with it.
I don't quite get it and feel that Facebook is sufficient for my needs.
Ian. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ColinB
Guest
|
| Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2010 6:34 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I actually got some business out of my Twitter feed today. I posted a link to a new sales page I put on my website and - hey presto - somebody got in touch and commissioned me to do some work on the back of it.
I like Twitter!
See - like I said above, it's all about what your needs are. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
John W
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 3367
Location: Warwickshire, UK
|
| Posted: Fri Nov 12, 2010 6:05 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| RockitRon wrote: | | John W wrote: | Today I posted a cheque to pay my credit card!
AND popped down to the post office to pay my power bills, by cheque!
(though I did tell npower the meter readings on-line).
I like using my cheque book and my post office! |
An expensive way of doing it, John. Most energy companies give a discount for paperless billing and/or direct debits. |
Yes, you're right RockitRon.
Now that I provide npower with customer readings (Gas and electric) via the net, I rang up to ask about direct debit and one of their direct debit options is the variable where they still send you a paper bill and debit two weeks later, so I rang up and arranged that, and the lady said:
'Thank you Mr Wright, you will get your £100 discount in October 2011'
_________________
-
John W |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Angela W
Joined: 11 Dec 2006
Posts: 7183
Location: North Yorkshire
|
| Posted: Fri Nov 12, 2010 6:25 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| John W wrote: | | RockitRon wrote: | | John W wrote: | Today I posted a cheque to pay my credit card!
AND popped down to the post office to pay my power bills, by cheque!
(though I did tell npower the meter readings on-line).
I like using my cheque book and my post office! |
An expensive way of doing it, John. Most energy companies give a discount for paperless billing and/or direct debits. |
Yes, you're right RockitRon.
Now that I provide npower with customer readings (Gas and electric) via the net, I rang up to ask about direct debit and one of their direct debit options is the variable where they still send you a paper bill and debit two weeks later, so I rang up and arranged that, and the lady said:
'Thank you Mr Wright, you will get your £100 discount in October 2011' |
Is that a direct debit to pay the whole bill (as I already do for my telephone with BT) just wondered, as I would be interested in doing that. I like to pay for what I have used and not by monthly direct debits. Thanks!
_________________
Pirate Johnnie Walker played my request on 11 April 2009 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
John W
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 3367
Location: Warwickshire, UK
|
| Posted: Fri Nov 12, 2010 7:45 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Angela W wrote: | | Is that a direct debit to pay the whole bill (as I already do for my telephone with BT) just wondered, as I would be interested in doing that. I like to pay for what I have used and not by monthly direct debits. Thanks! |
Yes. We've been with npower since at least 2007, both elec and gas, and they started issuing a dual bill last year which has the readings for both. The estimate readings were so out of kilter last bill that I took the option of entering them on their website, and I thought if I'm doing the readings then it would be OK to go direct debit (sorry Crawford, local village post office man)
I didn't realise the discount was £100 till the lady mentioned it, hope they keep their promise next year
_________________
-
John W |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
nod
Joined: 24 Dec 2006
Posts: 3558
|
| Posted: Sat Nov 13, 2010 12:32 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Rachel wrote: | | I hate Twitter. It makes no sense to me at all. A pointless stream of pointless information. |
I agree, put it with Blogs in Room 101  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ColinB
Guest
|
| Posted: Sat Nov 13, 2010 12:36 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| nod wrote: | | Rachel wrote: | | I hate Twitter. It makes no sense to me at all. A pointless stream of pointless information. |
I agree, put it with Blogs in Room 101 |
In fact, why not put forums and.............. the whole internet into Room 101? Just because someone doesn't have a personal use for something doesn't render it universally useless! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
nod
Joined: 24 Dec 2006
Posts: 3558
|
| Posted: Sat Nov 13, 2010 8:05 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| ColinB wrote: | | nod wrote: | | Rachel wrote: | | I hate Twitter. It makes no sense to me at all. A pointless stream of pointless information. |
I agree, put it with Blogs in Room 101 |
In fact, why not put forums and.............. the whole internet into Room 101? Just because someone doesn't have a personal use for something doesn't render it universally useless! |
Nothing wrong with the internet as a whole, or forums |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ColinB
Guest
|
| Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2010 3:55 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| nod wrote: | | Nothing wrong with the internet as a whole, or forums |
..... or Blogs (many websites are built on a XML blog platform) or Twitter (if you're issuing news and information).
So perhaps the whole of the internet should be done away with. And even the electricity that drives them, perhaps? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
