If you are not familiar with Twitter, it’s one of the more popular “micro-blogging” applications around at the moment (both for positive as well as negative reasons, but I’ll get to that later). For a wiki-rific explanation, Wikipedia explains Twitter very well and provides more insight to the application and it’s use.

So, why use Twitter? I’ve been using Twitter since September of 2007 as my virtual hallway conversations, to replace a part of my work day that simply doesn’t exist. I am a full time “remote” worker, collaborating with folks all over the US – but no one within 100 miles of me. Granted, I love working remotely, but there are some aspects of “traditional office life” that are useful and even appreciated. For me, Twitter fills that gap. Here is an example from my Twitter stream:

Okay, so no, this wouldn’t happen at a “real” office, but if I experienced something that I thought was funny (that wasn’t appropriate to share with my conference call), I would probably tell the folks on the other side of my cube. So, instead, I tell my Twitterverse.

I find Twitter to be good company when I’m bored, people I can access with something in common if need be, or even just a sounding board when I need an opinion. When I wanted to research eye surgeons prior to having PRK, I asked for some insight on how to find out about a doctor’s background. A friend of mine reached out to me after seeing my “Tweet” and gave me a link to the Texas Medical Board, and in essence, assisted in my decision in choosing a surgeon. Twitter can be all sorts of things to all sorts of people.

Now, Twitter hasn’t been 100% perfect. Call it growing pains, call it mis-management, no matter what you call it, there are lots of people talking about it. I’m more leery about Twitter now than I had been months ago – will Twitter still exist in 6 months? Will I lose contact with the people on Twitter I have begun to know on a personal level? In the last month a new Twitter-like service has been born called Identi.ca. Identi.ca is similar, but different. One common theme among many people on Identi.ca is that they are fed up with Twitter, and ready to jump ship, almost. It’s difficult to cut ties completely if you have an established network and don’t want to leave your network behind. Many are doing what I am doing and cross-posting to both Identi.ca and Twitter at the same time – which allows us to grow our network at Identi.ca, and not leave our friends behind at Twitter.

Will both survive? Hopefully this isn’t a “Neither can live while the other survives” kinda thing. Personally, I believe there is a place for BOTH services, and I look forward to watching Identi.ca grow, as I too continue to meet more folks there. It’s kind of like moving into a new neighborhood, everyone is friendly and eager to meet their neighbors.

You can find me at either service at the following addresses:
http://twitter.com/SharnAtlanta
http://identi.ca/sharnatlanta

See you online!