I know why the caged bird...um...Tweets.

Since I'm the only person I know *in person* who uses Twitter on a fairly regular basis, I've been asked at least once for a mini tutorial type of thing. There are endless numbers of sites now offering tutorials and "suggestions" on how to use Twitter. I don't think there are any real hard and fast rules or a truly right or wrong way to use it, so this post is just an overview based on how I have come to understand how Twitter works. Personally, I see it more as a marketing tool than as a means of real communication. I don't know if it has longevity, but I'm enjoying the novelty of it right now, at least, and I've made some interesting connections using it. Anything that allows me to internet-stalk some of my favorite authors (and other interesting folks) with their permission can't be all bad, right?

So here we go...

Common functions include:

-The direct reply, which is @username and then your message (keeping in mind that the 140 character limit will include the characters for the @ and the username). In order to respond to another user, always use the @username to begin the post. In replying to something someone esle posted, you can use the reply function (shows as a little arrow icon to the right of any other user's posts).

-The DM (which is a direct message that only you or the person you are sending the DM to can see - the equivalent of private messaging). DMs are limited to 160 characters.

-The "Re-Tweet", which is most often abbreviated as RT - this is reposting a Tweet from someone else. Some people instead of the RT attribute a post to another user by denoting it (via @username) after the body of the post, especially if they are just reposting a link.

-The Delete function. I use this when I misspell or have a grammar SNAFU. It can be done using the trash can icon to the right of the post. You can only delete your posts, not anyone else's.

-The Favorite function. This is the little star next to other people's posts, and if you really like a post, you can save it as a favorite by clicking the star.

-Blocking and Unfollowing. Unfollowing is for those you followed who you thought were interesting and clever at one point, only to discover that it is a fine line between witty and obnoxious. Blocking is for those who fond you but that you don't have any interest in having "follow" your Twitter activity - this list includes profiles solely set up to pitch a product or someone's poorly designed marketing or personal finance website, spammers, and the inevitable pornbots offering "adult content". Sure, all of them add to your follower count, and any new followers that look genuine I'll check out...but anything that indicates "XXX" anything, or seems to be following me based on a random keyword search, or looks like it's just being used to sell someone's attept at marketing the unmarketable, will get blocked.

Other only slightly useful tips:

Unless you want constant updates from all of the profiles that you follow (especially if you choose to follow people who update constantly), turn your mobile device settings off. There are also sites (such as Twittersnooze) that will allow you to temporarily block another user's posts from showing up in your feed for a period of time, instead of depending on an endless unfollow/follow cycle.

With Twitter now the new hot thing among people who like to catch a trend after it has already peaked, there are a million different sites offering various apps and other things to help you use your Twitter account and manage your feed. I don't really use them, myself, but you can find some of these widgets and apps at the bottom of your feed page by clicking the "goodies" link. You can also find some using Google (a couple of the most popular would be TweetDeck and TwitPic), but I say use the unaffiliated sites with some caution.

This is the Fail Whale - what you'll see when Twitter's servers get overwhelmed by the mad crush of marketing-spam, pornbot and fake celebrity profiles:


Questions? Confusion? Just hate the whole concept of Twitter and want to rail against it? Get thee to the comments, then!