For those of you using social networks (and this number isin the millions), it’s interesting to note how each one works in a differentway with different results. Of course, there exist several of these sites, butthe most common remain Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn (though some mayspeculate).
Now, Facebook and LinkedIn seem to have very defined rolesand uses i.e. the former is purely a social platform (though businesses areincreasingly turning to it), while the latter works directly for professionalsthrough either business networking or career development. The two sites arealso designed to do exactly what they specify – play or work (in the broadestterms).
So where does leave Twitter?
Well, Twitter seems to be a combination of both. To behonest, I have only recently been using it extensively and am still working onwhether it is for me or not. I have already had my ‘meh’ moment but amploughing on – following sites and individuals and building up my ownfollowers, while viewing what’s trending and where the next big hashtag (#)lies.
As a friend mentioned earlier, Twitter is great for eventsas demonstrated by the Arab Spring or more recently with the Obamainauguration. Tweets can allow viewers to comment, follow and re-tweet inreal-time – getting as close and as opinionated to the action as possible. Thismovement forward brings not only a dose of social interaction but in the biggerpicture, a larger more complete sense of ‘community’. These need notnecessarily be your friends or people who you actually know; it could be anyonefollowing the same trends as you--almost like the old-school Yahoo! Chat groupsand discussion boards.
In this sense, Facebook and LinkedIn don’t wield such power.Granted both are extremely popular and have revolutionised the way we connectand communicate but there is a difference between a ‘tweet’ and a ‘statusupdate’ at its core.
I am still getting to grips with this difference and lookforward to exploring it further. If you have anything to share or add, feelfree to tweet me @rahul09. I just hope I don’t come across as a twit.
Rahul Ahmad is Head - Online, TheGoan.net
