The New Twitter

Looks like I may to redesign my page to fit the New Twitter better. It looks nice. I really love the top bar because all the things I want to get to are right there. But the right column is a bit too wide for me. I like to have my browser narrow so I can work on other things while reading Twitter. The part that I love the most are the messages. The redesign is wonderful! It makes sending and finding old DMs much easier. The new “send a tweet” feature is nice too. The pop up reminds me of an iPad app interface.

Overall, I like the redesign. Still keeping it simple by adding subtle changes. Thanks Twitter!

iPad App Review: Twitter for iPad

Twitter for iPad recently launched! The official Twitter app was updated to be a universal app, working both on the iPhone and iPad. At first glance, there doesn’t seem to be much bells and whistles, but once you figure out all the little hidden secrets, you’ll definitely love the new user interface.

When you first launch the app, you have a left panel with links to your Timeline, Mentions, Lists, Messages, Profile and Search. On the right side is your timeline of tweets. If you’re holding the iPad in landscape mode, the tweets only take up the center area of the screen. You might think that it’s wasting a lot of space the first time you see it. But try tapping on a tweet. The tweet will expand and create a new panel to the right of the timeline. The edge this app has over other iPad Twitter apps is the built-in browser that will display webpages, videos, and photos linked in tweets without closing the app. Having content display in-lined makes the Twitter user experience flow much more seamlessly. If you tapped a tweet that was part of a conversation, the tweets will also be grouped together in a new panel. This makes keeping up with conversations much easier!

As you click on tweets, new panels will appear to the right. You can swipe to slide through the panels to bring up more content. I find this to be an ingenious way to use the space of the iPad. A lot of content is displayed at one time and getting to specific data is as easy as a tap away.

Tips for getting the most out of the Twitter app:

Pinch a tweet and it’ll expand. I find it much easier to use two fingers (one on each hand) and drag out (mimicking a pinch movement). Some of the tweets are one-liners, so the tabs are pretty narrow. If you find a long tweet, it’s much easier to pinch.

Another tip is to use two fingers and drag down on a tweet. This displays the conversation (@replies) in a panel below. I thought this was a very clever way to display tweets. Be sure to keep both fingers on the tweet though. Once you let go, it’ll quickly roll-up like window shades!

If you have an iPhone, you may be interested in our walk-though of Twitter for the iPhone.

Download the Twitter iPhone/iPad app for free now.

More Screenshots

Viewing @replies and a follower’s profile.

The interface for replying and sending a tweet.

This post was originally published in Beatweek Magazine.

Twitter the Movie

If you saw the trailer to “The Social Network,” you’ll greatly enjoy this Twitter parody video (also embedded above).

More Info:

If Hollywood can make an overly dramatic film about the early years of Facebook, why can’t we make an overly dramatic movie about Twitter? Or at least the trailer to that movie! Check out the exclusive (parody) trailer for “The Twit Network” right here on Rated Awesome!

Huge thanks to the Gregory Brothers for creating the “I can Tweet” song that plays in the background. Check out more of their stuff and download the full song here.

Gregory Brothers Youtube

Social Networks: How to Integrate Them

This blog post is in response to a question someone at a University asked me:

Question: I have set-up/configured our Facebook, Twitter, and Blog this week. We are in the process of posting content to each, but I was hoping you could go over a few things with me. Mainly, how to integrate the 3 so that we don’t have to constantly update all 3 sites? And also, based on your experience, are there any general settings in each dealing with user interactivity that we should enable/disable?

Answer: I would first start with integrating Twitter into Facebook, instead of the other way around. The reason is because I think students are more familiar with the Facebook interface than Twitter.

How to make your Facebook posts go to Twitter

1. In a browser, log into Twitter.
2. In another tab in the browser, go to Facebook.com/Twitter. You will see your Facebook page and a button that says “Link to Twitter.”
3. Click on the “Link to Twitter” button
4. It’ll take you back to Twitter, prompting “An application would like to connect to your account.”
5. Click on “Allow.”

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Twitter Lists

I’m really enjoying Twitter Lists. I know there are a few services out there that do this already, but I like to keep my lists in one place on Twitter.

Twitter Lists are currently in beta, and have been released to a few testers. Note: Some links in this post may only work if you have lists added to your account.

Twitter Lists help you organize and discover new people with similar interests. And since list are created by real users, I’m sure you will find quality twitter accounts to follow.

Some Twitter Lists features include:

1. Ability to create up to 20 different lists of Twitter people
2. Ability to add people to lists, but not necessary follow them
3. Ability to follow other people’s lists

Useful Links:

1. Lists that I created and follow
2. lists that I’m a member of

Note: These links only work if you have Lists enabled in your Twitter account.
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Twestival Local LA

What is Twestival?
A Twestival or Twitter-Festival is a global series of events organized by volunteers around the world under short timescales, which bring people offline for a great cause. Twestival is run 100% by volunteers and independently from any not-for-profit; although the organizing teams do work closely to outline an achievable and measurable fundraising target. Twestival also sets out to identify key skills of volunteers and match these with the needs of the cause; particularly communications strategy, tech integration and social media training. Twestival Local takes place in cities around the world during September 10-15, 2009.

Twestival LA
Last February, Twestival LA raised close to $20,000 for charity:water in just one night and two weeks of planning! It was a night of music, comedy, fun, and meeting new friends, while raising money to help bring clean water to those who need it.

Twestival Local LA – Sunday, 9/13 at 6pm at Level 3 at Hollywood & Highland

Now we’re back, raising money and supporting two of our local organizations — CHRYSALIS and the LA Food Bank. And I’d like to invite you to our charity event!

What: Twestival Local LA

Where: Level 3 at Hollywood & Highland – 6801 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA (Map)

When: Sunday, Sept. 13th, 2009, 6:00pm – 12am

Cost: $20, $50, $100 donations

Website: LA Twestival.com

Of course, our event will have to be LA-style! Fox LA’s Good Day LA reporter, Suzanne Marques, will be hosting Twestival LA event! There will also be live musical performances by Dr. Hollywood, The Truth, and Terrakroma as well as comedy show by Ben Gleib, Ben Morrison, Tom Womack, and Josh Wade! And if you enjoy video games, check out the GirlGamer Lounge. And don’t miss out on the amazing raffle prizes and silent auction! Some of the amazing things that will be raffled/auctioned off are Poken, original artwork by Natasha Wescoat, Fatburger, Wildcard T-Shirts, Singelringen, Gift Bags from MegsMakeup, Vonster Books, Yoga Gals, Piknic, and many more surprises! Be sure to check back at LATwestival.com for up-to-date details!

Our Causes:

• CHRYSALIS is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping economically disadvantaged and homeless individuals become self-sufficient through employment opportunities. It currently helps more than 2,000 individuals a year change their lives through jobs.

• LA Regional Foodbank’s mission is to mobilize resources to fight hunger in our LA Community. Each dollar received by the food bank can actually provide four complete meals to those in need.

What is Twestival Local?

Blackberry App: TweetCaster

I wish I had a Blackberry to try out TweetCaster! I know Blackberry users didn’t have many choices for Twitter apps, so this one looks very promising. The funny thing is, @RichDocekal brought it to my attention because Blackberry Cool.com took a screenshot with my tweet in it. :) It was a nice surprise, thanks Rich and BBCool!

So if you’re using a Blackberry, try it out and let me know how it is!

Here’s more information about the app from Blackberry Cool.com:

A new Twitter client has hit the BlackBerry world, this one by Handmark. TweetCaster, is a free* Twitter app that is available exclusively for BlackBerry.

The user interface looks fairly clean, and it comes with all the basic Twitter functionality. Some of the features you’ll find with this client include:

• Ability to toggle between multiple accounts
• URL shortening
• Picture sharing
• One-step @reply and retweet capabilities
• GPS locator to find Twitter friends near you
• Real-time trending topics list

TweetCaster is currently the only Twitter application for BlackBerry smartphones offering the ability to toggle between multiple accounts.

Download TweetCaster by Handmark for your BlackBerry from tinyurl.com/TweetCaster. (*They’re asking for a Tweet in exchange)

-Blackberry Cool.com

What is Fail Whale?

Have you ever heard of “The Fail Whale” and wondered what it was? If you know anything about Twitter, than you definitely know what the Fail Whale is. But for those of you who haven’t, check out What is Fail Whale.info for the full story.

It’s amazing to see Fail Whale’s artist, @yiyinglu’s artwork become an icon in the Web 2.0 world. Check out Yiyinglu in a FailDress for Australian Sunday Life Magazine!

Twitter in Time Square

I was walking around Time Square in New York this weekend and saw “Twitter” scrolling on the led board! How cool is that? :)

I’m Tweeting This!

I originally bought the “I’m Tweeting This” tee from ThinkGeek to wear at Twestival LA. But when it got too cold, I put on a a TweetTee hoodie on. :) It’s quite comfy, so I thought I’d put it on today. Feeling a little sick and tired, but also quite geeky today.

*points to the bottom* I just installed the Disqus wordpress comment plugin today. Care to test it out for me? :)

Twouble with Twitters

This is the funniest thing I’ve seen all day. It’s an animation about Twitter.. It shows how non-Twitters see us Twitter-addicts. ;)

“Did you get my tweets? I just twoted all over the place!” Funny!

Thanks @cloud79 for sending it to me!

Original animation on _Current

New Media Vault Event

Daynah & iJustine / Taken by Albertech.net

I attended LA Mixers & Tubefilter‘s "The New Media Vault" event at the Crocker Club on Thursday, Feb 26th, 2009 and had a great time! It was great meeting Twitter friends for the first time, as well as making new ones!

The venue was quite unique. It use to be an old bank that was converted into a bar. We had a ton of fun exploring the vaults and such. ;)

One thing I forgot to bring this night was a CF card for my Digital SLR. Boy I was bummed! So I can’t tell you I how happy I was when Wm. Marc let me borrow one of his. Thanks so much Marc, you saved the night!

More about the event.
Beautiful photos taken by Albertech.net. Thank you so much!
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YogurtLand Tweetup

I made it out to the first LA Tweetup at YogurtLand! It was fun seeing @christinelu again, and meeting her son, @mikeprasad from gamerGirl, @rocknrollgeek from TechZulu, and @jspepper from Pop! PR Jots.

Excited to see each other, we forgot to take photos of the yogurt! But you can trust me when I tell you that it was very yummy. ;) My favorite of course is Taro! You have to try it!

And what’s a Tweetup without Twitter Badges?! That idea just came to me this morning.. so I had to print some out. ;)

After dessert, @mikeprasad, @rocknrollgeek, and dragonal went walking around Little Tokyo to get a snack. I know, it’s a little backwards. ;) We had weird eating habits that day.

After 5pm, we parted, dragonal and I went to the event at The Grove to meet up with friends and see the Christmas Tree Lighting show! ;)

See the YogurtLand Tweetup Photos from 11/23/2008

Libraries after an Earthquake

A surprising thing happened at work today. We were hit by a semi-big earthquake earlier in the morning. I know I should be use to earthquakes by now, but this one was hard and kept rolling! It must have been the longest 20 seconds of my life.

But not to worry. The SERVERS are all alright! ;)

My first reaction was to duck and cover under my desk. When the rolling stopped, I tweeted. Yes I know. How geeky huh? Hey, twitter gets you the news as it happens! I was a quite shaken up. I then noticed a flood of tweets about the earthquake, one being iJustine, who just happened to be in LA, and feeling an earthquake for the very first time. Us Californians really know how to welcome someone!

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Fail Whale

Twitter users, I know you want one. ;) Thanks for linking me Brian!

Source: The hero that is Fail Whale

Too Many Tweets

Awww, Twitter is stressed from too many tweets! Just thought the image was cute.

What to do When Twitter is Down

Now I know what I can do when Twitter is ever down! Thanks iJustine!

Is Twitter Down?

IsTwitterDown.com is a great and simple website that tells if you if Twitter is down. And at this exact moment in time, it is.

Stressed!

I’m stressed. But.. so is Twitter!

Twitter Killed the Blog Star

@Veronica I think Twitter is ruining my ability to blog. I haven’t had a good blog post idea in over a week :/

@mcnitt twitter killed the blog star.

@daynah In my mind, and in my car, u can’t rewind, u’ve come too far. Twitter came and broke your heart. Put all the blame in microblog!

heh, and this is just one of the reasons why I love Twitter. We complete each other’s sentences and thoughts!

Although I see Veronica’s point. I haven’t written many meaningful blog entries in a while. And when I do blog.. they seem to be under 140 characters.. LOL

Thanks for the tweets Brian & Veronica!

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