The OIT Help Desk is now using Twitter to post short and timely notices when we become aware of unscheduled service disruptions during the normal business day. Using Twitter will supplement our existing process of posting information and status updates via email and web postings.
Students can also follow the Google Student team on Twitter.
What is Twitter?
Twitter is a free social networking and micro-blogging service that enables its users to send and read other users' updates known as tweets. Tweets are text-based posts of up to 140 characters in length which are displayed on the user's profile page and delivered to other users who have subscribed to them (known as followers). Senders can restrict delivery to those in their circle of friends or, by default, allow anybody to access them. Users can send and receive tweets via the Twitter website, Short Message Service (SMS), RSS, or external applications. The service is free to use over the Internet, but using SMS may incur phone service provider fees.
How can I use Twitter?
There are a variety of ways to use Twitter. If you want to just view other people's tweets, you can subscribe to the RSS feed or view their Twitter page for those accounts. If you want to be able to interact with others via Twitter and/or receive tweets on your cell phone via SMS, you will need to create a Twitter account.
Create your Account
To create a Twitter account go to twitter.com and click the "Get Started--Join!" Button. This will walk you through the account creation. Once your account is created, it's best to find someone to start following. Go to http://twitter.com/oithelpdesk and click the Follow button below their icon. Now all tweets from oithelpdesk will be delivered to your twitter page or twitter client.
Twitter via SMS (Text Messages to Your Mobile Phone)
If you have configured your phone to use Twitter (in the Twitter Settings menu under Devices), you can also turn Device Updates on. Twitter will then send you a text message instantly when oithelpdesk updates their status; otherwise, leave them off and you'll receive updates to your normal twitter page or twitter client only. Note: Selecting Device Updates will result in text messages to your cell phone and could result in additional charges.
Twitter via RSS
Most modern email programs, web browsers, as well as many other web-based applications or third party applications allow you to subscribe to RSS feeds to receive information. Tweets will show as news items in the RSS feed.
Twitter Clients
There are lots of twitter clients available that you can use to bring your twitter feed to your desktop without needing to stay on your twitter page. You can find some popular ones here: twitter.com/downloads
Finding People to Follow
Want to find other people to follow? One of the best things to do is look at who else is following people you follow. Go to twitter.com/oithelpdesk and click on their followers. Here you may find other people you know or are interested in. If so, click their profile and choose Follow.
Your First Tweet
Alright, you're ready to tweet, how do you do it? There are LOTS of ways!
- Go to Twitter.com and login, once logged in you can post your tweet from your twitter page
- If you configured your phone for device updates, you can send a text message to 40404 with your tweet
- If you decided to try a twitter client, follow the instructions for that app to post your tweet
You have 140 characters to say what you want. Be creative in how you word your update so it fits!
Have more questions?
Twitter.com has a great community for learning more about how to use twitter. Check them out at http://help.twitter.com/ and check out these pages.