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Twitterizing Your Design Life
Linda points to some basic “rules” for Twitter, but questions other rules provided by users.
If you aren't on Twitter or you don't know about its intricacies, then Linda will introduce this social media tool to you in this article and in following articles. Linda points to some basic “rules” for Twitter, but questions other rules provided by users. She also provides links to find other graphic designers and programmers on Twitter.
@, RT, d and more...
Using Twhirl, I'll show you quickly how to use Twitter, no matter which social media client or tool you use to view and post comments on your Twitter account(s):
My Appomattox_News Twitter account is in the box at upper right on the Twhirl Web page. This is a floating client that you can tweak to stay on top of any page you surf so you don't miss a beat. Or, you can hide it and bring it up whenever you choose (sys tray / dock icon support). Note all the little "tools" this client holds at the top and bottom of the box. Here's a close up of the bottom tools and how to use a few of them.
If you want to learn how to use all of Twhirl's tools, download the client and read the FAQ and documentation at Twhirl. I only wish to cover the tools that any Twitter user needs to know, no matter how that person uses Twitter:
Garbage Can: Clear any comments you make with one click. Warning: Once you've made a comment in Twhirl, hundreds of people may have already seen it. But, clearing a stupid or false comment as quickly as possible is the best way to stop others from seeing it. Unless, of course, someone has copied your comment and spread it around...(called "Retweeting" or RT).
@: The @ sign in Twitter is similar to an address in email. Only, you're addressing the person at Twitter. Omit anything before the @ and use the user's name, such as @Appomattox_News, and you'll talk directly to that person. However, everyone will see those Tweets, so you'll want to use another method to contact the person privately.
DM, or Direct Message: On the Twhirl toolbar, the DM is indicated by the envelope link. If you're not using Twhirl to send a message to someone privately, then you can preface the person's Twitter name with "d" like this: d @Appomattox_News
RT or Retweet: If you like what someone has said on Twitter, you can spread it around to your followers (and anyone else who happens to catch your RT). In Twhirl, you point to the person's avatar and click on the arrow at bottom right (in lime green). A little sign will pop up that says, "retweet." In other clients, you may need to RT manually, and you would accomplish that feat thusly: RT @Appomattox_News.
Sending a Message: All you need to do is type away in the space provided by Twhirl or any other user client for Twitter. The only rule here is that you are limited to 140 characters. Not words – characters, including spaces.
Tip: If you want someone to RT your message, make it short. That way, your message and their RT response can fit within 140 characters.
Basically, the above information is all you need to know to get started on Twitter. Now, however, you need to decide how you want to present yourself on Twitter.
Linda Goin
Linda Goin carries an A.A. in graphic design, a B.F.A. in visual communications with a minor in business and marketing and an M.A. in American History with a minor in the Reformation. While the latter degree doesn't seem to fit with the first two educational experiences, Linda used her 25-year design expertise on archaeological digs and in the study of material culture. Now she uses her education and experiences in social media experiments.
Accolades for her work include fifteen first-place Colorado Press Association awards, numerous fine art and graphic design awards, and interviews about content development with The Wall St. Journal, Chicago Tribune, Psychology Today, and L.A. Times.