Twhat?

Do you use Twitter?  

Do you know what it is?

Twitter is a microblogging tool.  If that doesn't do anything to help clarify, let me try again.  I like describing Twitter as a broadcast mechanism.  I can broadcast whatever I'm doing, where I am, what I'm reading, and how the train's overhead announcements are driving me slowly insane to anyone and everyone who would listen.  Other people on Twitter can subscribe to broadcasts of friends and colleagues, news feeds, whatever they're interested in reading.

The reason I wanted to write this post is actually for my work colleagues.  I get asked quite a bit if I simply have no friends and that's why I tell the world these things.  As Dave says, "You do some really strange things.  No really, they are weird, come on!" 

There are lots of reasons people use Twitter and other microblogging tools for personal, professional, and of course egotastic reasons.  I wanted to call out some of the professional reasons I have started to really get into Twitter to defend myself against Dave and others who might think it's a bizarre way to communicate.

• Technical Updates/News: I am quite interested in web development, and many people who follow my Twitter comments are too.  When I find out new announcement or news (for example, the news last week about Silverlight on Windows Mobile / Nokia!), I like to share it. 
• Regular News: Twitter users know everything fast.  Really fast.  Way faster than any newspaper can publish a quick press release. It's a great way to stay up-to-date on general news as well.
• Tips/Tricks: People use Twitter a lot for pointers to new technology, websites or other online resources they're using.  They're often quite cutting-edge and interesting to check out, so that keeps me on my toes. 
• Links: Often I don't want to write a full blog post about an interesting article or news item.  Twitter is perfect for posting a link and possibly a very brief comment.
• Professional Contacts: Lots of my contacts in the industry are on Twitter.  It gives me a fast way to message them (going to their phone/IM/desktop client, however they've set it up) and vice-versa.
• Customer Issues: I keep Twitter running in a sidebar gadget when I'm in the office (unless I'm in a meeting - no attention span).  I can keep an eye on what's going on and answer technical questions, help people with Microsoft issues, and connect people with other colleagues who can help them.
• Event notifications: A lot of people use Twitter for advertising events or spreading news about them (conference session X is cancelled, event moved to this location, talk X is in room Y, etc.).  I've found it helpful for sharing information about and during events.
• Travel / Connections: Another common use, especially among frequent travellers, is using Twitter to keep their location updated.  I use this a small bit to help plan meetings with out-of-town folks when I find out we're going to be in the same spot, they have an afternoon in Dublin, or even that their flight is delayed by several hours so we have to cancel our face-to-face meeting & reschedule.

On a personal level, Twitter gives me the chance to get to know people a bit better, laugh with them, and stay up-to-date with friends and colleagues.  It's easy, because there are plenty of desktop and mobile clients, web access, SMS access, IM access, etc., so you can have your Twitter however you like best.

Twitter's not perfect of course.  I like features in Jaiku for things like "topic-specific" notices/discussions.  It works great for real-time microblogging at conferences or events.  Twitter is a one-size-fits-all, and most of my contacts are active there, so I use it more.  But for things where I'd like more of a group chat or in-depth discussions, Twitter doesn't really work.  Also, you may find it difficult to stay on top of your friends and contacts' messages.  Depending on the size of the group of people you follow and their activity level, it is often impossible to catch up if you've been offline a few days.  As Walter says, "Just let it go."