Twitter, heard of it? No, it’s not the return of the local Robins or Blue Jays to your back yard, although I can’t wait for that to happen, it’s a software program designed to stay in touch with friends and family.
It is really a micro-blogging site that is restricted to 140 characters that you can use from a cellphone or via your favourite instant message client.
If you want to have a look, surf over to www.twitter.com where you will find a simple, pretty site with a great big green button inviting you to “Join the Conversation”. Punch the button and fill out a few questions.
Now you need to add the folks you want to communicate with. You can search for those who are already Twitter members by typing their name or invite them to join via email by typing in their email addresses separated by commas into the box provided.
Now sit back and wait for a few friends to reply to your invitation. Once you have a little group to talk with you can post your first update. Select the “home” link and type your message into the box provided. Keep it short (140 characters max.) and interesting. When you are done hit the “update” button. You have just sent your first “tweet”.
You’ll want to go to your Twitter home page (www.twitter.com/YOURUSERNAME and view your latest update. Here you can add a photo of yourself. An RSS feed is on the page too that lets people subscribe to your updates.
Many people use twitter on their cellphones. To enable this option you’ll need to go to your “settings” menu, select Phone & IM and add your cellphone number with area code. A verification message gets sent back to you that you need to reply to. Text back +447781 488126. Careful, as you will be charged for these tweets so you may want to turn off those you don’t want to receive messages from by replying “off” to their first message.
Most of us will restrict Twitter use to our computers so you will need to enable your Instant Message program to accept the Twitters. On your twitter home page go into the settings and look for the Phone & IM link. Twitter supports AIM, Gtalk, .MAC, Jabber, and LiveJournal. If you use an instant messenger program now these will be familiar to you if not Google one and you’ll see what it is all about. Choose your IM client from the drop down menu and enter your username.
Now you will be taken to a new page where you will need to verify your IM account. Punch the “verify your account” button and Twitter will attempt to open your IM client. A window will appear and you will need to launch the application and hit send.
That’s it. You are all set to Twitter with friends and family.
It is really a micro-blogging site that is restricted to 140 characters that you can use from a cellphone or via your favourite instant message client.
If you want to have a look, surf over to www.twitter.com where you will find a simple, pretty site with a great big green button inviting you to “Join the Conversation”. Punch the button and fill out a few questions.
Now you need to add the folks you want to communicate with. You can search for those who are already Twitter members by typing their name or invite them to join via email by typing in their email addresses separated by commas into the box provided.
Now sit back and wait for a few friends to reply to your invitation. Once you have a little group to talk with you can post your first update. Select the “home” link and type your message into the box provided. Keep it short (140 characters max.) and interesting. When you are done hit the “update” button. You have just sent your first “tweet”.
You’ll want to go to your Twitter home page (www.twitter.com/YOURUSERNAME and view your latest update. Here you can add a photo of yourself. An RSS feed is on the page too that lets people subscribe to your updates.
Many people use twitter on their cellphones. To enable this option you’ll need to go to your “settings” menu, select Phone & IM and add your cellphone number with area code. A verification message gets sent back to you that you need to reply to. Text back +447781 488126. Careful, as you will be charged for these tweets so you may want to turn off those you don’t want to receive messages from by replying “off” to their first message.
Most of us will restrict Twitter use to our computers so you will need to enable your Instant Message program to accept the Twitters. On your twitter home page go into the settings and look for the Phone & IM link. Twitter supports AIM, Gtalk, .MAC, Jabber, and LiveJournal. If you use an instant messenger program now these will be familiar to you if not Google one and you’ll see what it is all about. Choose your IM client from the drop down menu and enter your username.
Now you will be taken to a new page where you will need to verify your IM account. Punch the “verify your account” button and Twitter will attempt to open your IM client. A window will appear and you will need to launch the application and hit send.
That’s it. You are all set to Twitter with friends and family.
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