Computer and Library Learning (Archived)

Twitter has gained quite a bit of attention over the last couple years; especially once celebrities like Oprah, Ashton Kutcher, and Stephen Colbert started using and promoting the service.  Ever wonder what all the hype is about?  Keep reading for a bit of background and some pointers on how to get yourself started.

Twitter is a service launched in 2006 which allows people to post short messages, called ‘tweets’, for others to read.  Tweets may not be any longer than 140 characters and can easily be sent and received using a computer (through the Twitter website or free/paid software options) or a smartphone (iPhone, Android phone, or Blackberry using free/paid app options).  You can also include photos, videos, and links to the content of your tweets.

It's nearly three years old but the video below does a great job in explaining what Twitter is and how it works.

As seen in the video, the early appeal and major selling point of Twitter was the ability to communicate quickly with friends and family and while this still holds true, it has evolved and grown to be more than just a communication channel between friends.  

Although Twitter can be used to post your own thoughts, being a vocal ‘tweeter’ is not a requirement.  Many people, including myself, primarily use it as a tool for receiving up to the minute information, news, and entertainment.  By selectively populating the list of people you follow, you can create a custom feed of information that is specifically of interest to you.

Twitter is also a useful in searching for breaking news, described by people who are experiencing it in person as it is happening.  After feeling the tremors last summer Twitter was the first resource that had any information about what had just happened.  Many small and large businesses, politicians, and non-profit organizations also use Twitter to market themselves, communicate, and gather feedback from the public.  You can search for specific users once signed up but for a quick look at who's tweeting in the city, here's a Listorious page of Toronto Twitter People and Lists.

If you’re interested in giving Twitter a try, here’s our ‘@ your fingertips’ guide to help you create an account and for a great list of basic termonology, head over to  The Happy Accident blog before posting your first tweet.  We also have a number of books about Twitter; browse our titles or cut to the chase with Sams Teach Yourself Twitter in 10 Minutes, a Safari Online eBook readable from your browser (your library card number is required to sign in).  Be sure to follow @torontolibrary once you’ve signed up!