All this Web 2.0 hype started a feeding frenzy that resulted in several new Internet-based applications coming on the scene. Of course, this means that unless you have a Facebook or MySpace account, you’re somehow sadly behind the times. The latest must-have phenom is Twitter, which is a sort of cross between a blog and an instant message.
My favorite tech news source, TechRepublic.com extolled the virtues of Twitter, but I’m more skeptical. Government Technology magazine recently covered Twitter applications in government, and its potential role in continuity of operations in the event of emergency … I’m still not convinced.
When new instant messaging first came out as an Internet application, I used it sparingly. I was working in Hong Kong at the time and my project team was scattered in three separate apartments in two adjacent high rise buildings on Lantau Island. We all used AOL in our work and play, so it was convenient to see who was online when you were and to pass IM notes back and forth about project work or where to go for dinner. However, when I returned home it soon turned into a distraction and I came to resent people intruding into my desktop while I was working on something important. I turned it off and never went back.
I use text messaging, but only sparingly. Since I travel a lot and often have to meet with colleagues or clients who are in transit themselves, it’s easy to drop a text message about airplane delays or other logistics to keep others informed. I don’t use it much beyond this, and I find it amusing to watch others hunch over their cellphones thumb-typing long messages.
Obviously, I’m a blogger, but readers may choose to read a posting or ignore it. They may subscribe, or not. Blogs are not intrusive by nature, while Twitters are barging into your attention to let you know every mind-numbing thought or reference that they wish to pass along.
I choose not to Twit, but I’ll reserve judgment as to whether I ever will. Someone has yet to demonstrate a compelling business case to learn and apply this technology.
Chris Crawford www.justiceserved.com
Photo credit = Twitter
Entries (RSS)
[...] I mentioned before, I am not a fan of Twitter and have yet to find a worthwhile application for its features even though I have an account. But [...]
Frankly, I don’t see the value of twitter. I read one market research report that revealed that nearly half of all tweets was “pointless babble.” Only 9% had “pass-along value.” Perhaps only 4% was “news.” Okay, I’m a senior citizen, but I get Instant Messaging. I get MySpace, FaceBook and Friendster. Heck, I even get an occasional rap song, if the beat and melody are just right. But this SMS for the internet seems a bit too thinly clever — a bit too much fad and flash in the pan, for my tastes. Maybe there’s a Zen side to this. Anyone care to Enlighten me?
We see eye to eye on this, Shaun, thanks for dropping by!!