Thank you for the overwhelming comment responses to my last blog. Wow, I was so blown away by what none of you wrote. So I guess that leaves me with charting the course of my blog ad hoc. I really do want to know your thoughts on Twitter vs Facebook. Twitter to me just seems ridiculous - there, it's out. At least Facebook is a comprehensive connection tool. Twitter appears to me to be for suited for people who like to have a group of others orbiting around them with very little interest in those people personally. Who really cares, or of what consequence is it, whether you really are having a double decaf latte right now? Now I must qualify that I don't think my boss, Ps Rob (who only started Twittering last week) fits into the above 'orbit' category. But I do think he may be disappointed with the what the people he is following actually choose to tell him. I also know he will be one of the very few who share actual exciting things in his tweets, but he'll be a rarity (just felt the need to qualify this point in the interests of on-going job security).
Oh, and isn't the weather great! I'm a Minnesotan now, we're supposed to comment on the weather daily.
Oh APR, isn't it cruel not to have anyone comment on your posts?
Now in regards to Twitter vs. Facebook, I think it's unfair to compare one to the other because although they are competitors they both serve different purposes. You see, when Twitter was new (long before they started talking about it on the news) it was introduced as a microblogging tool, I think that description fits very well, so you as a blogger, to condemn Twitter is like stabbing your little brother :-) how do you like that analogy?
Yes, many people misuse it, but isn't that the case for many things in life too? You can't just condemn everyone on Twitter and save Ps Rob, so let's say it's like 50/50 the people who use it to share with others and the people who use it for their own ego.
Facebook on the other hand is a tool for connecting and sharing with friends (On Twitter we don't really have to be friends to follow each other, just like blogging). I'm not 100% into Twitter yet and the main reason is because the site crashes everyday, they were not ready for such growth and are having a hard time to keep up with it.
The other thing I like about Twitter vs. Facebook is that it is smaller, in FB I have almost 400 "friends", that's quite overwhelming when you are about to put something in there, you gotta think about everyone who's gonna get it. On Twitter I only have 14 followers, I love that and I intend to keep it a very small group of people whom I let follow me and vice versa, kinda' like the circle of trust.
The other thing that makes Twitter different is that it is more designed to be used with your cellphone, you tweet and get tweets through your cellphone whether is an SMS or an application and you rarely have the need to go to the website. Facebook is more designed to be use with a web browser, yes, you can do most things with your cellphone but honestly it sucks.
One thing though I love about Twitter is its simplicity, you tweet and that's it! no stupid quizzes, or groups, or become a fan here or there... The other reason why Twitter is becoming so big is because companies are using it (more than Facebook) to connect with it's customers. There are countless stories on the internet about people complaining about companies on Twitter and actually getting help immediately from those companies, all thanks to Twitter. Likewise on the personal side of things, people have received help or assistance while in the middle of sticky situations by just tweeting.
You shouldn't underestimate Twitter, after all Facebook changed its design to look more like Twitter and not the other way around. Yes, that last Facebook redesign that everyone hates, was Facebook trying to remain competitive by looking more like Twitter, I think that says something. Now if you just don't like Twitter that's absolutely understandable, but since you asked for opinions.
Posted by: Leo | Friday, 24 April 2009 at 07:53 AM
Thank you so much Leo. I feel much better now. If everybody used Twitter the way you do I would be it's biggest proponent. I have nothing against the premise of micro-blogging or Twitter's purpose or function. What bothers me is that people aren't using it for that. So I guess I have more of a problem with the Ashton Kutcher's of this world who use Twitter for purely narcissistic purposes "hey, I have 1 million people following my every move, how awesome am I." Now, if you're one of the 1 million then good for you (assuming your not Leo...)
Posted by: APR | Friday, 24 April 2009 at 10:19 AM
No, I don't like Ashton Kutcher that much...
I'd follow you though :-)
Posted by: Leo | Friday, 24 April 2009 at 05:44 PM
I don't know about twitter but I just started Facebook and enjoy the conection to people I havn't seen in a while. I also like the pictures it brings it all together.
Posted by: Tom Selchow | Friday, 01 May 2009 at 02:23 PM
Still trying to figure Twitter out. I've always thought you'd need one of those fancy phones to use twitter. And seriously, what if no one would want to "follow me". I'm not sure I could handle the rejection. Again, though, I'm not sure how it really works.
Posted by: Nancy | Monday, 11 May 2009 at 01:49 PM
Just thought I'd let you know that if you had posed these questions last fall when you were blogging more frequently, I think you would have had much more responses. However, since you hadn't blogged since LAST YEAR until the previous blog, you kind of lost a strong group of "followers." Yes, that is a Twitter term but I am using it anyway. :) Considering today was the first time I saw your 2009 blogs, it may tell you how often I check it anymore since I got really tired of seeing "Merry Christmas" at the top of the page. However, I may consider checking back more frequently now.
Ok, so Facebook & Twitter. Well, I am on FB (as you know) and quite enjoy it - even convinced my mom to join! Now, Twitter, I have yet to understand it's full purpose. But, then again, that's what I thought about FB before I got suckered in. So... not sure I can give good feedback on comparing both. Guess you will have to go off feeback of those, like Leo, who are on both. That's all I got...
Posted by: DP | Saturday, 23 May 2009 at 03:53 PM
I just started facebook recently. It gives me and opertunity to share whats on my heart and I get blessed by what others have to share.
Posted by: Tom Selchow | Tuesday, 26 May 2009 at 05:10 PM
Hi just commenting, plus i got no feedback on my golf text. i know u cant play so i promise im not rubbing it in. i did play the round of my life on friday! im getting way better now so by the time i play u it might be a real game! ok bye 4 now
Posted by: Gareth Richards | Sunday, 16 August 2009 at 07:51 PM