Sunday, November 28, 2010

Practicum #4 - Jana Levinson

The transformation from the old Twitter to the new Twitter has generated an even more simple design setup that enables users to more easily utilize the site for various reasons. Unlike Facebook, Twitter has a minifeed that consists solely of text-based updates that may include up to one picture per post. Additionally, users can view who they are following, who is following them, and what topics are trending on the website at the moment. All of these features can be accessed from the users opening screen, making it extremely easy to navigate around the website.

Due to the fact that there is no one uniform use of Twitter, users can utilize the website for an assortment of reasons. The website offers a simpler version of a social networking site that is available to users that have a variety of different motives. Twitter can be used for individuals to keep up with the news, find out gossip and information from celebrities or just simply see what friends have to say. Unlike Facebook, the 140-character limit per post enables multiple posts to be read quickly and efficiently. This permits individuals obtain a great amount of information in a short amount of time. Additionally, the link shortener that the website provides allows users to post links to websites on their Twitter without impeding too much into the 140-character limit. This allows popular users such as The New York Times, People Magazine, and celebrities to post links to articles and other websites while at the same time being able to write text in the same posts.

Although approximately 19% US Internet users are active on Twitter, there are many individuals that find the website too simple. Twitter does not provide the complex user experience that other social networking websites such as Facebook, which may deter individuals from using it. Many people compare Twitter to status updates on Facebook and they don’t understand the point. These individuals clearly do not see the new aspects that Twitter brings to social networking such as interaction with celebrities and direct access to news and gossip.

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