The future of social interactivity on the Internet is about learning what your friends, and in some cases strangers around the world, are doing -- right now. It’s reflected in the emerging trend of microblogging, a popular tool for quickly posting short text entries about one’s daily activities. The “right now” aspect of this brand new form of blogging could also play a big role in the future of advertising and marketing.
Posting one or two line entries in a microblog allows you to update your audience quickly. You can post microblog entries directly on a hosting company’s Website, via email, instant messaging, or SMS.You can use a computer to post, but cellular phones are the prolific microblogger’s device of choice because they're the key to the “right now” concept.
Although the posts can be read on a computer, microblog services are creating mobile-friendly Websites that are easier to use and view.Increasingly, microbloggers are being offered client software for transmitting and viewing posts on phones.Indeed, “microblog” implies short messages, which are easier to read on a phone’s small screen.
Twitter, the most famous microblog company, limits messages to 140 characters.Pownce and Jaiku -- purchased by Google (Nasdaq: GOOG) -- also are well known. The short messages appear as a stream of conversations in reverse chronological order, just as with traditional Weblogs. You may allow specific people or anyone to view your posts, and add and delete friends, just as with social networking sites.
In fact, many social networking sites, such as Facebook , provide microblog-like features where users may post what they are doing.The lines between social networking and microblogging are blurring somewhat.
Banality is relative Microblogging is ideal for users who don’t want to write a regular blog post, which may often be much longer.It’s also for thoughts that might not be relevant to your regular blog, such as “I’m drinking a latte at Starbucks” or “I’m looking at the 150-inch TV at the Panasonic booth at CES” or “Where I can find an inexpensive red silk blouse in London?”
Microblogging has been criticized for the banality of the messages.But a friend, who might be passing by the Starbucks you're in, may want to join you after receiving the message.A business colleague might be able to find you at CES.A stranger in London might recommend a great shop for blouses.
Sure, you can provide the same information with a phone call or an SMS, but microblogging is immediate broadcasting to groups.The value of microblogging, as with traditional blogging, isn’t necessarily about how many readers you have.Check out Twittervision, a fascinating mashup of Twitter and Google Maps to see what and where people are twittering around the world.
Important ramifications Microblogging’s ramifications go way beyond arbitrary posts, such as “My cat vomited on the carpet for the second time today.”It’s a way to get the word out quickly in critical situations.W. David Stevenson, a homeland security expert, discusses the value of microblogging for families who can quickly provide information to each other during emergencies.
Private and public organizations are using microblogging to quickly broadcast vital information. Microblog posts offered timely updates during the devastating fires in San Diego last year when people were desperate to learn about the rapidly changing conditions. The Red Cross set up notifications on Twitter.
Companies are already experimenting with microblogging to create more opportunities to engage with audiences and employees.News organizations, such as CNN, CBS Marketwatch, and The New York Times, offer microblog feeds.In other cases, businesses are testing microblogs to provide short messages to project teams, without the spam and irrelevant messages inherent in email.
For better and worse, companies have discovered microblogging for advertising.JetBlue promotes its services and promotions with a Twitter feed, as do Carnival Cruise Lines and IntelSoftware.Microblogging is especially useful for limited-time offerings.
The microblog future Regardless of what you think about the concept, microblogging is here to stay. It is tailormade for the Internet: an always on, always connected, always reachable environment that’s accessed via multiple devices, technologies, and applications.You could always turn off your device, but most of you won’t.
I just posted a comment, in another of my "Thinkernet" columns ("Us vs. Them on 'The Internets'"), about how Twitter helped a journalism student get released from jail in Egypt. If you're interested in learning about it, check out my comment:
This isn't a "reply," but I wanted to post an addendum to my microblogging column: "The New York Times" has published a fairly long article about the effects of microblogging in politics, "Campaign Reporting in Under 140 Taps."
The article highlights the political Twittering of John Dickerson, the chief political correspondent for the online magazine, "Slate." But the article also notes that a few other journalists have started political microblogging, including Ana Marie Cox of "Time" and Marc Ambinder, a politics blogger for "The Atlantic."
I like being able to refer to other "Thinkernet" writers.
In my original article on microblogging, I linked to Mary E. Shacklett's column about shopping as a social activity, but it was eliminated because of space constraints. I mentioned her discussion of "social retailing," that employs e-mail, SMS and IM.
Thanks very much for pointing that out. I actually saw that headline, but it didn't register or I would have definitely noted and linked to it in my reply. I first saw the articles on TechMeme
I'm glad you like the topics I pick. It isn't always easy selecting a "big" wireless Internet "think piece" that examines a technology or concept that could or does influence the future of the Internet -- the theme of this Web site.
Just about all technology is a mixed blessing. Always-on services like Twitter have good and bad aspects. I certainly agree that these type of services -- microblogging, social networking -- are most useful and appropriate for people who, are willing to provide more information about their lives.
This greater openness and less desire for privacy is a hallmark of "Internet generations." I guess that typically means people under 30, although I'm ** way ** older and I'd love to be plugged into a worldwide information "datasphere," whether by sticking a jack into the back of my neck or a more elegant bioengineering/nanotechnology solutions!
Very timely: Check out Google's latest round of philanthropy....
Press release: http://www.google.com/intl/en/press/pressrel/20080117_googleorg.html
CNET News article: http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9852369-7.html?tag=nefd.top
Google is giving money to InSTEDD (Innovative Support to Emergencies, Diseases and Disaster) to use cellular and the Internet, including services like Twitter and Facebook, to disseminate information during emergencies, such as weather disasters, epidemics, etc.
People who think microblogging is simply about banality should think again. (Yeah, Twittervision really is fascinating!)
I like the topics you pay attention to on this forum, your posts always fuel a lot of discussion. Microblogging seems a bit of a mixed blessing, and I hadn't thought that much about examples in which it actually would be useful––in stead of just for fun/general annoyance.
What I would like to see happening, is Twitter or other microblog facilitating software to become fully GPS paired––so that Microblogs could get tagged to a specific location. That's why I really liked that widget you mentioned in which twitter and google maps have been integrated. In that case, if you're looking for that red shirt in London, a helpful citizen could more accurately turn you in the right direction. This option would however only appeal to those who's life is transparent already, and don't mind that...
There's no doubt we are receiving more and more information as the years go by. And the younger we are, the more information we are -- and will be -- receiving.
The definition of information overload is changing. What we thought was "a lot" of information ten years ago is the norm today. What is the norm today will be a drop in the proverbial nformation bucket tomorrow.
I'm sure many of the social networking, microblogging and other "presence" type of sites will eventually die/fall out of favor. But the trend is clear: Increasing amounts of information. With blogging, microblogging, GPS-based services, social networking, etc. combined with greater wireless coverage, we will become more attuned to multitasking.
As a "Thinkernet" writer, Dr. Kim Solez, discussed a day ago, there is a more efficient and growing "digital intelligence" --
Some people hate this trend and will rebel against it. Indeed, even tech-savvy people are having a difficult time dealing with the plethora of "presence" services demanding attention. But most of us will cope, and the speed and amount of information with which we need to deal will increase.
Oh -- it's not a very good idea to drink and do much of anything else -- microblog, blog, speak to your bosses wife/husband....
I haven't yet decided whether microblogging is a useful social tool or unbridled narcissism. I like the status updates on Facebook. It helps me keep in touch with friends who recently moved to Finland, in spite of the time difference. Twitter even proved useful at Christmas when I was trying to find a Wii for my daughter -- one twitter from my husband and several minutes later, a friend told me exactly where to find one.
But I can't escape the feeling that in general, it's simply too much information. For instance, I can tell from the Facebook status messages of an acquaintance that she's depressed but I don't know her well enough to ask about it. And then there was the drunk twitter from another friend insulting his fiancee's boss which caused a bit of a ruckus. Note to self: don't drink and Twitter.
Which all leads me to wonder, are we really better off knowing so much more about each other?
The ThinkerNet does not reflect the views of TechWeb. The ThinkerNet is an informal means of communication to members and visitors of the Internet Evolution site. Individual authors are chosen by Internet Evolution to blog. Neither Internet Evolution nor TechWeb assume responsibility for comments, claims, or opinions made by authors and ThinkerNet bloggers. They are no substitute for your own research and should not be relied upon for trading or any other purpose.
It is difficult to underestimate the value of wireless data in Haiti in aiding relief workers and residents in wake of the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that hit the country on January 12. Quite literally, wireless data has been a life-saving technology.
I'm cautiously optimistic that Apple's iPad will be successful because it's Apple-like and non-Apple-like. Those characteristics have major advantages and disadvantages that affect the value of the iPad. UPDATED 12:25 PM
May the gods be praised! Google (Nasdaq: GOOG) has finally unveiled what appears to be its online file storage capability -- a so-called Google Drive or GDrive -- for consumers and businesses.
Hysteria has reached fever pitch as techies around the world can hardly contain themselves until January 27, when Apple Inc. (Nasdaq: AAPL) is rumored to be announcing its new tablet computer. Also, during the past several months, interesting tablets and concepts for tablets have been unveiled by other manufacturers. The New York Times has called 2010 "The Year of the Tablet."
In Charles Dickens's classic story A Christmas Carol, Ebenezer Scrooge asks the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come about scenes he will be shown from his future: "Are these the shadows of the things that will be, or are they shadows of things that may be, only?"
Smarter Collaboration: How to Thrive in a Challenging Business Environment Market conditions are changing faster than ever, and organizations need to improve their agility and adaptability in order to provide better service and improve processes. The ability to work with customers, business partners, and employees as effectively as possible - while at the same time holding down costs - is a key to success. READ THIS eBOOK
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More companies are trolling social networks to find and vet potential job candidates. Beware the pitfalls of blurring the line between personal and professional lives.
Research shows that the youth of today like Facebook – but not blogging or Twitter. Does that mean Facebook has won, or just that it's not yet out of favor? Will all the services we see today fade into Ovaltine-or-Wheaties status in just a few years?
Research shows that the youth of today like Facebook – but not blogging or Twitter. Does that mean Facebook has won, or just that it's not yet out of favor? Will all the services we see today fade into Ovaltine-or-Wheaties status in just a few years?
What kinds of companies are doing the most innovation in the data center? Turns out it's midtier enterprises that are taking the "Just Right" approach.
Ray Kurzweil's Blio and Apple's iPad tablet will make it easier than ever to have books "read" to us, says Dr. Kim, who believes that talking tablets will become interwoven into our consciousness as we "merge" with the increasingly elegant machines we hold in our hands.
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