Note: Actually, starting everything Twitter-related word with “tw” is a bit of a pet peeve of mine, as well. The things I’ll do for a clever blog post title.
Facebook Links
This pet peeve isn’t limited to Facebook, actually. Links to iTunes (the worse – it attempts to launch a program!), LinkedIn, newspapers, or any service requiring a login/membership creates the same problem. But due to its popularity and/or culture, Facebook gets the most abuse on Twitter. Newsflash: I’m not on Facebook. And I shouldn’t have to be to view information that has nothing to do with Facebook (general pictures, local events, etc.)
Yet people freely throw up shortened links (that obscure the destination) without annoucing they lead to Facebook, Imeem or whatever walled service of their choice. Annoying. Give a heads-up; announce the service or make the Facebook event public.
#followfriday
I first noticed the #followfriday Twitter meme two months ago. The idea is to suggest Twitter accounts for others to follow. Great idea. However, most people end up using the #followfriday hashtag and then listing as many Twitter accounts that will fit in the 140 character message. No content or explanation. Let’s stop that please.
Davidé and I are among a growing number of users who have tweeted our frustration over this. And this morning, @Ohdoctah tweeted:
If you really want to suggest a Twitter account to follow, please give me some context. Like so:
Oh, and if the person already has thousands of followers, do you really need to keep suggesting them?
Yeah, yeah… We’re almost a week into February. Whatever. Blame it on a rough week, bad memory or laziness on my part. Or a combo. I like combos.
Surprisingly (to me), my How I use Twitter post has generated an influx of new follower requests. So um… I’m trying to get to that inbetween client work.
Anyway, as the title indicates, here are my latest, favorite tweets. As you’ll notice, I’m not linking to them anymore. You’ll be alright.
So you’re on Twitter and (possibly) wondering why I’m on it, too? You’ve come to the right place!
My tweets are a mixture of comments on the web experience (including web design/development, blogging, social media, etc.), music, movies, black folk issues, LGBT issues and random, personal tidbits. These are my interests. I tend not to be interested in sports, politics, hip hop or top 20 network television programs.
I used to “protect” my tweets (make them private) unless I was attending a public function with heavy Twitter participation, such as SoCon or SXSW. However, Twitter has gotten so popular, that it’s more of a hassle for me to switch back and forth.
That stated, my Twitter stream is pretty diverse. As a result, my followers far outnumber the accounts I follow. There are simply too many. If you’re following me and I haven’t returned the favor, send me an email (< hover), keeping the following in mind:
Generally, I follow:
- People I know IRL (in real life)
- Longtime virtual/web friends
- Web Designers, Developers, Producers
- Social Media participants
- LBGT folk
- Atlanta folk
- Generally interesting people
Generally, I do not follow:
- People I don’t know who tweet about things I don’t care about
- Social Media/PR/Marketing “experts”
- Most apps/products
- Accounts that haven’t updated much (or at all)
- Accounts that only tweet an RSS feed
- Fake anything accounts
- People who don’t tweet in English (because it’s the only language I can read)
I will unfollow:
- Accounts that tweet offensive and/or insensitive crap
- Accounts that haven’t updated in months
- Accounts that tweet too often and/or about things I don’t care about
Note: This post is updated as my use of Twitter changes.
