I would guess that most people reading this blog have heard of Twitter, but I know many don't really understand what it is. Others are concerned about sharing so much information publicly.
I would describe Twitter as a very public, social version of online chat. Instead of just sending messages between small groups of people in a private way, the messages are all shared publicly by default. This means that anyone can go and search over the things people have been chatting about - either by searching keywords or "following" certain people they know.
Like many others, I first started using Twitter in March 2007 at the South by SouthWest Interactive festival in Austin, TX (SXSW). Between blogging, Twitter and Facebook, I have pretty much stopped sending out blast emails when I find interesting things I want to share. Instead, just post them to whatever is the most appropriate place.
If people like the kinds of things I send out, they can easily find them or subscribe to my feeds. Short links and thoughts get posted on Twitter. More private photos and personal communications go on Facebook, and longer explanations (such as this one) go to one of my various blogs.
This is much easier for me, and reduces the email overload on everyone else. Plus I get the "social effects" of using public tools and inviting unexpected responses and synergies (more on this later).
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