Caveat:I still do not understand all the hoopla about twitter. The amount of text one can enter on a single twitter entry is only a few words, which means those who have a lot to say would have to keep adding one entry after another. One way to get around that would be to create the entry on a link on a blog and link it on twitter. In fact, that seems to be the way most bloggers are using twitter: updating their daily blog entries on twitter. But they still have to enter one link at a time … time wasting. I would probably have been willing to copy and paste onto my twitter account my blog entries for a specific day if I could just copy them all and dump them all at once! But I certainly do not have the desire or the time to keep going to twitter to update the contents of my blog entries - one link at a time! But it does not seem to hinder some famous bloggers such as whatreallyhappened.com and others. Check them out on twitter.

I keep scratching my head to get a hint as to why this twitter business has gotten fame in such a short time? What else could it be besides what I have described below on this link? There are in fact so many other innovations that are worth being elated about. Newsreaders and rss feeds come to mind. Reading daily articles via Newsreaders has saved me hundreds if not thousands of hours over the years! There are others that I have listed on the top of my blog under the link titled [how to]. Chances that I would ever recommend 'twitter' on that list is nil.

---

Caveat: Do not use your very precious email address to sign up for twitter. You are required to provide to twitter an email address and your password to that email address. What I watched in horror immediately after my account was created was a large number of email addresses (in my case several thousand) that twitter displayed on my screen! What it did was that it accessed all the email addresses from the sent-folder to whom an email was sent from that email address! It was then asking me to invite those people to join twitter! I immediately copied and pasted those email addresses and had a look at them. I was not even aware that I had that many email addresses and did not recognize some of them. There is a reason for that. From time to time, I do write email messages to the authors of some articles either complimenting them for a great article (rare) or chastising them for their deliberate lies - especially on the question of Palestine (not so rare!) Some on that email list were very personal contacts. Would I have provided a certain treasured email address if I knew that twitter would have free and unfettered access to my email contacts? Of course not! It would be safer for people to just create a brand new email account (such as 'johntwitter@yahoo.com') and then create your twitter account. Twitter would then go to your sent folder only to find it completely empty! Poetic justice! For those who already fell fictim to twitter by providing it a treasured email account, it would be wise to immediately after change your password to that email address so that twitter would not have access to the contents of that email address.

I stumbled upon this twitter account by sheer accident. I am posting it here because it is very typical of what 'twitter' is about. The account holder appears to have lots of 'twitter followers'. Why would anyone want to follow this person? Twitter was created just for this sort of posting: people posting the events of their lives on a daily basis for others to see. But why should I care how this 'twitter' spends her hours?

http://twitter.com/hardcoreheather

http://twitter.com/Katiekins32

# just watched Gone in 60 Seconds, man I never get tired of that movie. Nothing like the roar of a 67 Shelby GT 500, oh its like heaven :)9:50 PM Jul 26th from web

#Radiologist said I did not fracure or sprain/strain my shin. I have hydroxyapatite deposition disease in my knee.11:39 AM Jul 26th from web

#Just watched National Lampoon's Blackball on Hulu, good movie11:33 PM Jul 25th from web

#Iced the crap out of my knee & took Ibprofen so I could take Chloe to I-Hop. Poor kid is going crazy with daddy gone and mommy all gimpy.2:32 PM Jul 25th from web

#Has too much to do and now I can't do any of it b/c of my stupid shin possibly being fractured :(9:39 AM Jul 25th from web

#I forgot how much crutches SUCK!!!!!!!!!! My hands and arm pits are sore :(12:23 PM Jul 24th from web

#I have managed to cause Inflammation of the quadriceps insertion point and now I need a brace..It REALLY hurts and it sucks :(5:24 PM Jul 23rd from web

#is having a really hard time picking a monologue....oh well, the quest continues :)10:54 PM Jul 21st from web

#Working hard and thinking a glass of wine after the kid goes to bed tonight is in order to help relax.1:56 PM Jul 21st from web

#listening to Barry White while I work on chart and bill out insurance10:40 PM Jul 20th from web

#Pushed Play super hard even though I feel like utter butt & got an hour long workout done in 45 mins. Now I am back at the office working.7:22 PM Jul 20th from web

#off to bed10:38 PM Jul 19th from web

#Just got home from Derby Wars at the Budweiser Event Center5:49 PM Jul 19th from web

#My crotch is so freaking sore from spinning yesterday. I need to go buy some of those padded pants.12:48 PM Jul 18th from web

#every possible thing that could go wrong IT wise on the first day of the new system went wrong. Chuck E. Cheese here we come :)5:18 PM Jul 17th from web

#@hardcoreheather you can say that again sister9:30 AM Jul 16th from web

#is here, thats about the best I can offer right now.9:02 AM Jul 16th from web

#just got home from the office, off to bed now...Night :)2:51 AM Jul 16th from web

#@hardcoreheather uh oh, whats wrong sweetie?11:13 PM Jul 15th from web

#Just worked out with Megan and really pushed, I feel GREAT!!!12:41 PM Jul 15th from web

I created my 'twitter' account when the 'twitter buzz' was buzzing around - i.e. when it was first launched but the account sat there with no entries for many months. I decided to delete my account and here is the message from twitter.

Good…bye? (Note: this action is permanent)

Are you sure you don't want to reconsider? Was it something we said? Tell us.

Before you delete your account, know this:

This action is permanent: account restoration is currently disabled.

You do not need to delete your account to change your username. (You can change it on the settings page. All @replies and followers will remain unchanged.)

Your account may be viewable on twitter.com for a few days after deletion.

If you're creating a new account and want to use the same user name, phone number and/or email address associated with this account, you must first change them on this account before you delete it. If you don't, the information will be tied to this account and unavailable for use.

We have no control over content indexed by search engines like Google.

Restore my account

Please enter the username or email address of your deleted account to restore it.

I decided to restore my account and contrary to their early message being unable to restore your account with the same username, I managed to do so in a matter of a couple of minutes. So why does twitter say one cannot restore an account after one deletes it and yet allow you to do so? Who knows and who cares!

Twitter.com

* Login

* Join Twitter!

Restore your account

We've sent a verification email to the address we have on file.

Please follow the directions in that email to restore your account. If the email is never recieved please contact us.

---

Yes, I did notice the way twitter spells 'received'!

Here is my only entry on twitter on June 23, 2009 after the account remained with no entries at all for many months ... did not even know how to spell 'twitter' ... spelled it 'tweeter'. Why does the same message bearing the exact date and time appear twice at my twitter account 'twitter.com/ziomania'? I don't know and I don't care!

I am confused about tweeter! I signed for a tweeter account a while back, months ago but never came back and signed on. So here we go . ...10:58 AM Jun 23rd from web

am confused about tweeter! I signed for a tweeter account a while back, months ago but never came back and signed on. So here we go . ...10:58 AM Jun 23rd from web

How to do 'this and that' on your twitter account.

This is from the 'settings link' on twitter Account From here you can change your basic account info, fill in your profile data, and set whether you want to be private or public.

Tips * Filling in your profile information will help people find you on Twitter. For example, you'll be more likely to turn up in a Twitter search if you've added your location or your real name. * Change your Twitter user name anytime without affecting your existing updates, @replies, direct messages, or other data. After changing it, make sure to let your followers know so you'll continue receiving all of your messages with your new user name. * Protect your profile to keep your Twitter updates private. Approve who can follow you and keep your updates out of search results. Twitter with SMS Sending updates to Twitter while you're away from your computer makes things much more interesting. It's all done through text messages (aka "SMS"), which you probably use all the time anyway, so there's not much to learn. Twitter doesn't charge anything for this, but standard text messaging rates or bundles may apply from your carrier. If you use your mobile in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada or New Zealand you can also receive updates via SMS. You can text "OFF" to stop receiving and "ON" to start again.

Twitter with SMS Sending updates to Twitter while you're away from your computer makes things much more interesting. It's all done through text messages (aka "SMS"), which you probably use all the time anyway, so there's not much to learn. Twitter doesn't charge anything for this, but standard text messaging rates or bundles may apply from your carrier. If you use your mobile in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada or New Zealand you can also receive updates via SMS. You can text "OFF" to stop receiving and "ON" to start again.

New Follower Emails: Email when someone starts following me Direct Text Emails: Email when I receive a new direct message Email Newsletter: I want the inside scoop—please send me email updates!

Account From here you can change your basic account info, fill in your profile data, and set whether you want to be private or public. Tips * Filling in your profile information will help people find you on Twitter. For example, you'll be more likely to turn up in a Twitter search if you've added your location or your real name. * Change your Twitter user name anytime without affecting your existing updates, @replies, direct messages, or other data. After changing it, make sure to let your followers know so you'll continue receiving all of your messages with your new user name. * Protect your profile to keep your Twitter updates private. Approve who can follow you and keep your updates out of search results.

Read this section about Twitter's privacy policy carefully. They have no pretenses about how your personal and private info would be used. They tell you that they would share the info with about anybody willing to pay for it. It is very worrisome if not outright scary!

Twitter Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy is effective as of May 14, 2007.

Twitter provides this Privacy Policy to inform users of our policies and procedures regarding the collection, use and disclosure of personally identifiable information received from users of this website, located at www.twitter.com ("Site" ) or collected through our social networking service, including via SMS, WAP and Instant Messaging ("Service" ). This Privacy Policy may be updated from time to time for any reason; each version will apply to information collected while it was in place. We will notify you of any material changes to our Privacy Policy by posting the new Privacy Policy on our Site. You are advised to consult this Privacy Policy regularly for any changes.

By using our Site you are consenting to our processing of your information as set forth in this Privacy Policy now and as amended by us. "Processing" means using cookies on a computer or using or touching information in any way, including, but not limited to, collecting, storing, deleting, using, combining and disclosing information, all of which activities will take place in the United States. If you reside outside the U.S. your personally identifiable information will be transferred to the U.S., and processed and stored there under U.S. privacy standards. By visiting our Site and providing information to us, you consent to such transfer to, and processing in, the US.

If you have any questions or comments about this Privacy Policy or our use of your personally identifiable information, please contact us at .

Information Collection and Use

Our primary goals in collecting personally identifiable information are to provide you with the product and services made available through the Site, including, but not limited, to the Service, to communicate with you, and to manage your registered user account, if you have one.

Information Collected Upon Registration. If you desire to have access to certain restricted sections of the Site, you will be required to become a registered user, and to submit certain personally identifiable information to Twitter. This happens in a number of instances, such as when you sign up for the Service, or if you desire to receive marketing materials and information. Personally identifiable information that we may collect in such instances may include your IP address, full user name, password, email address, city, time zone, telephone number, and other information that you decide to provide us with, or that you decide to include in your public profile.

Additional Information Your full user name and your photo, if you decide to upload one, are displayed to people in the Twitter network to enable you to connect with people on Twitter, as specified in your privacy settings. Once a member, you may provide additional information in the profile section, including but not limited to your bio, your location, as well as your personal web site, if you have one. Providing additional information beyond what is required at registration is entirely optional, but enables you to better identify yourself and find new friends and opportunities in the Twitter system. If you activate the mobile phone options per the Terms of Service at www.twitter.com/tos, we will collect your cellular phone number account information. You will receive notifications on your cellular phone account in a number of cases, such as when a Twitter member adds you as a friend or sends you a message. If you contact us by email through the Site, we may keep a record of your contact information and correspondence, and may use your email address, and any information that you provide to us in your message, to respond to you.

Use of Contact Information In addition, we may use your contact information to market to you, and provide you with information about, our products and services, including but not limited to our Service. If you decide at any time that you no longer wish to receive such information or communications from us, please follow the unsubscribe instructions provided in any of the communications.

Log Data When you visit the Site, our servers automatically record information that your browser sends whenever you visit a website ("Log Data" ). This Log Data may include information such as your IP address, browser type or the domain from which you are visiting, the web-pages you visit, the search terms you use, and any advertisements on which you click. For most users accessing the Internet from an Internet service provider the IP address will be different every time you log on. We use Log Data to monitor the use of the Site and of our Service, and for the Site"™s technical administration. We do not associate your IP address with any other personally identifiable information to identify you personally, except in case of violation of the Terms of Service

Cookies

Like many websites, we also use "cookie" technology to collect additional website usage data and to improve the Site and our service. A cookie is a small data file that we transfer to your computer"™s hard disk. We do not use cookies to collect personally identifiable information. Twitter may use both session cookies and persistent cookies to better understand how you interact with the Site and our Service, to monitor aggregate usage by our users and web traffic routing on the Site, and to improve the Site and our services. A session cookie enables certain features of the Site and our service and is deleted from your computer when you disconnect from or leave the Site. A persistent cookie remains after you close your browser and may be used by your browser on subsequent visits to the Site. Persistent cookies can be removed by following your web browser help file directions. Most Internet browsers automatically accept cookies. You can instruct your browser, by editing its options, to stop accepting cookies or to prompt you before accepting a cookie from the websites you visit.

Information Sharing and Disclosure

Service Providers We engage certain trusted third parties to perform functions and provide services to us, including, without limitation, hosting and maintenance, customer relationship, database storage and management, and direct marketing campaigns. We will share your personally identifiable information with these third parties, but only to the extent necessary to perform these functions and provide such services, and only pursuant to binding contractual obligations requiring such third parties to maintain the privacy and security of your data.

Compliance with Laws and Law Enforcement Twitter cooperates with government and law enforcement officials or private parties to enforce and comply with the law. We may disclose any information about you to government or law enforcement officials or private parties as we, in our sole discretion, believe necessary or appropriate to respond to claims, legal process (including subpoenas), to protect the property and rights of Twitter or a third party, the safety of the public or any person, to prevent or stop any illegal, unethical, or legally actionable activity, or to comply with the law.

Business Transfers Twitter may sell, transfer or otherwise share some or all of its assets, including your personally identifiable information, in connection with a merger, acquisition, reorganization or sale of assets or in the event of bankruptcy. You will have the opportunity to opt out of any such transfer if the new entity's planned processing of your information differs materially from that set forth in this Privacy Policy.

Changing or Deleting Information

If you are a registered user of the Site, you may access and update or correct the information you provided to us by e-mailing us at .

Security

Twitter is very concerned about safeguarding the confidentiality of your personally identifiable information. We employ administrative, physical and electronic measures designed to protect your information from unauthorized access.

We will make any legally-required disclosures of any breach of the security, confidentiality, or integrity of your unencrypted electronically stored personal data to you via email or conspicuous posting on this Site in the most expedient time possible and without unreasonable delay, consistent with (i) the legitimate needs of law enforcement or (ii) any measures necessary to determine the scope of the breach and restore the reasonable integrity of the data system.

Links to Other Websites

Our Site contains links to other websites. The fact that we link to a website is not an endorsement, authorization or representation of our affiliation with that third party. We do not exercise control over third party websites. These other websites may place their own cookies or other files on your computer, collect data or solicit personally identifiable information from you. Other sites follow different rules regarding the use or disclosure of the personally identifiable information you submit to them. We encourage you to read the privacy policies or statements of the other websites you visit.

Our Policy Towards Children

The Site is not directed to persons under 13. If a parent or guardian becomes aware that his or her child has provided us with personally identifiable information without their consent, he or she should contact us at . We do not knowingly collect personally identifiable information from children under 13. If we become aware that a child under 13 has provided us with personal identifiable Information, we will delete such information from our files.

Are you looking for a lost relative or a lost friend? Not to worry! It looks like twitter is busy compiling a database of everyone on the planet who willingly but foolishly provides them with their personal information to store and to be retrieved by anyone lse!

The most famous twitter account holder is probably Barack Omaba. Check out his twitte account at www.twitter.com/Obama

• Home page
• Click here for all archives for all years