Difference between revisions of "Twitter"
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== History == | == History == | ||
| − | Twitter | + | The founders of Twitter were Jack Dorsey, Noah Glass, Evan WIlliams and Biz Stone. Jack Dorsey launched Twitter in July of 2006 where it rapidly gained users worldwide. Currently, it has over 300 millions accounts and generates over 300 million tweets per day. People often refer to Twitter as "the SMS of the Internet". <ref> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twitter#cite_note-9 </ref> |
| − | The company that operates Twitter (Twitter Inc. is based in San Francisco. The word "twitter" was a perfect name for the site according to Dorsey. He explains that its definition is 'a short bust of inconsequential information' and 'chirps from birds'. <ref> http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2009/02/twitter-creator.html </ref> | + | The company that operates Twitter (Twitter Inc. is based in San Francisco. The word "twitter" was a perfect name for the site according to Dorsey. He explains that its definition is 'a short bust of inconsequential information' and 'chirps from birds'. <ref> http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2009/02/twitter-creator.html </ref> This refers to the 140 character limit. |
| − | Dorsey remained the chief executive officer of Twitter until October 16, 2008 when Evan Williams took over the CEO role, and Dorsey became chairman of the board. Williams stepped down as CEO 2 years later and Twitter's chief operating officer, Dick Costolo became the new (and current) CEO. | + | Dorsey remained the chief executive officer of Twitter until October 16, 2008 when Evan Williams took over the CEO role, and Dorsey became chairman of the board. Williams stepped down as CEO 2 years later, in 2010, and Twitter's chief operating officer (COO), Dick Costolo became the new (and current) CEO. Dorsey remains an executive chairman to this day. <ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twitter</ref> |
| − | + | After Costolo took over is when Twitter started to gain user strength. Twitter went from 400,000 tweets posted per quarter in 2007, to 100 million tweets posted per quarter in 2008, and by March 2010, users were sending 50 million tweets per day. <ref> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twitter#cite_note-9 </ref> | |
The Twitter interface remained the same through much of this growth, but in late 2010, the company began rolling out a revamped Twitter. The new site now had the ability to see pictures and videos without leaving Twitter itself by supporting websites including YouTube and Flickr. | The Twitter interface remained the same through much of this growth, but in late 2010, the company began rolling out a revamped Twitter. The new site now had the ability to see pictures and videos without leaving Twitter itself by supporting websites including YouTube and Flickr. | ||
Revision as of 21:35, 8 December 2011
Twitter is a free online microblogging service that allows users to post statuses or updates in 140 characters or less. These updates are known as "tweets". Users can follow the accounts of other users, and other users can follow them. Following on Twitter doesn't have to be mutual, unlike being friends on Facebook. Twitter is often used by celebrities so their fans can follow them and offers a 'verified' ability where celebrities can prove who they are to Twitter and their fans. This helps eliminate fake pages and ensures validity for fans. This is unique in the fact users feel closer to their idols where as like Social Networking sites do not have this tool.
Contents
History
The founders of Twitter were Jack Dorsey, Noah Glass, Evan WIlliams and Biz Stone. Jack Dorsey launched Twitter in July of 2006 where it rapidly gained users worldwide. Currently, it has over 300 millions accounts and generates over 300 million tweets per day. People often refer to Twitter as "the SMS of the Internet". [1]
The company that operates Twitter (Twitter Inc. is based in San Francisco. The word "twitter" was a perfect name for the site according to Dorsey. He explains that its definition is 'a short bust of inconsequential information' and 'chirps from birds'. [2] This refers to the 140 character limit.
Dorsey remained the chief executive officer of Twitter until October 16, 2008 when Evan Williams took over the CEO role, and Dorsey became chairman of the board. Williams stepped down as CEO 2 years later, in 2010, and Twitter's chief operating officer (COO), Dick Costolo became the new (and current) CEO. Dorsey remains an executive chairman to this day. [3]
After Costolo took over is when Twitter started to gain user strength. Twitter went from 400,000 tweets posted per quarter in 2007, to 100 million tweets posted per quarter in 2008, and by March 2010, users were sending 50 million tweets per day. [4]
The Twitter interface remained the same through much of this growth, but in late 2010, the company began rolling out a revamped Twitter. The new site now had the ability to see pictures and videos without leaving Twitter itself by supporting websites including YouTube and Flickr.
Features
Twitter encourages you to "follow your interests". [5] It's common to follow your friends, industry experts, and celebrities. Once an account is set up, your tweets are publicly visible by default. However, there is a setting that allows people to restrict their viewers by privatizing their account. People can "tweet" from a computer on the website, from smartphones/tablets, or by texting (SMS).
Tweets
Not only can you tweet whatever you want, you can also reply to others tweets simply by mentioning the other user in your tweet. Mentioning someone can be done by using the "@" sign followed by their Twitter username. Users have the ability to mention more than 1 user in a tweet, too.
"Retweeting" is common on Twitter as well. If users want to copy someone's tweet so that one's own followers see it, they can do so by retweeting it and either adding text to the retweet (if you have enough characters left) or simply retweet it with no additions.
To help with the small character limit in tweets, there are tons of URL shortening services that are commonly used. Some include: bit.ly, Twitpic, and Twitter has it's own t.co domain that shortens all URLs posted on the site.
Trending Topics
One of Twitter's main features is the trending topics feature on the right sidebar of the site. Here you'll find that users will group together topics by the use of "hashtags". Hashtags are words or phrases starting with a "#" sign. Tending topics become popular through word of mouth and are the way that people often first learn of breaking news.
Direct Messages
Other than tweeting, users have the ability to direct message or "DM" other users. Direct message are privately send message that only the person you send it to can see. The only way 2 users can DM each other is if they are both following each other.
Verified Accounts
Verified accounts were introduced on Twitter in order to create revenue as well as to protect corporations and celebrities from fake Twitter sites distributing inaccurate information to followers. These verified accounts are obtained through payment to Twitter. A verified account is displayed by a blue and white check symbol following the username of the individual of corporation. This is Twitter's way of confirming that the individual or corporation is who they claim to be.
