To just not 'get' twitter?

(99 Posts)
Geckos48 Wed 20-Nov-13 22:28:22

I dont understand how it works, I dont know how you have conversations on it.

I was hoping there was a forum for debate but it doesnt seem to work like that? You can just mention people in comments or 'retweet' what they have said?

What is the point of it?


You 'follow' people apparently - but why??

Urv Wed 20-Nov-13 22:29:28

I don't either. I joined and thought WTAF. It's like a strange culture I know nothing about. Sorry, no help.

Geckos48 Wed 20-Nov-13 22:30:50

Well, at least I know I am not alone!

I have tried a couple of times but I dont really get it.

BeCool Wed 20-Nov-13 22:33:04

I don't get it either. I've been instructed by MN'ers and people on FB and I still don't get it. it just seems so illogical and disjointed to me.

And I have to use special keys to create the hashtag on my keyboard and I can never recall what it is.

RubyrooUK Wed 20-Nov-13 22:33:47

It's basically like a channel where you broadcast your thoughts. If other people follow you, they can read your thoughts and comment on them.

If they really like what you have written, they might retweet it. It's less like a forum for conversation and more like millions of people broadcasting their news to everyone else.

Ruby, but why??
I want to understand, but don't care enough about other people's opinions get it...

It's not for conversations. It's not great for in depth conversations, or for being able to store past conversations. There are other media for that. It is good at instant info - travel updates, weather forecasts, flash mobs, protests, watching telly. And for seeing what people have said on current events using hashtags. It's good for sharing links - say you're an author or musician. Or for trying to get fundraising for your charity efforts- it links to mapmyrun, for instance, if you're marathon training. And for disseminating your blog, if you write one.

What were you hoping to use it for?

NuggetofPurestGreen Wed 20-Nov-13 22:41:10

Because some people say funny and/or interesting things about random stuff or about current events or tv shows or books or films or other things that you might be interested in. You can then say funny or interesting things back to them (or not if you don't want to).

It's also a good way of keeping abreast of the news and what not.

Reiltin Wed 20-Nov-13 22:42:34

To me, it seems to have one piece of the functionality of Facebook but none of the rest. So I'm a Facebook girl smile

NuggetofPurestGreen Wed 20-Nov-13 22:42:53

As Melanie says it's not great for in depth conversations but it's good for quick chats!

LadyMetroland Wed 20-Nov-13 22:43:13

I don't get it either

what's all the hashtag business about? I see it all the time in other places too

NuggetofPurestGreen Wed 20-Nov-13 22:45:00

True Reiltin but the difference is the number and type of people you get updates from. Facebook is more for keeping up with people you know, Twitter is for hearing what strangers (or celebs if that's your bag) have to say.

jkklpu Wed 20-Nov-13 22:45:02

It's really good if you have a niche interest and you and the others with an interest can share info and links about that. It's also great for instant news or learning about new things. But it takes time to learn how to use it and, if you don't have the time or really don't have an interest you want to follow, then it's probably not for you. That doesn't mean, though, that it's rubbish, just that you need to persevere to get the most from it.

Geckos48 Wed 20-Nov-13 22:45:03

Yes I am much more a facebook person.

There seems to be more forum for debate on there too.

Ah, see, I don't get FB either grin - I deregistered <proud>

NuggetofPurestGreen Wed 20-Nov-13 22:46:19

My last post reminds me of a tweet I read once (ha) :

Facebook makes you hate people you know, Twitter makes you love people you don't know.


Caitlin17 Wed 20-Nov-13 22:47:11

YANBU. I don't see the point. I especially don't see the point of business or government departments tweeting.

Geckos48 Wed 20-Nov-13 22:47:39

Wow pacific that is some courage you have there!

Caitlin17 Wed 20-Nov-13 22:47:49

I don't see the point of Facebook either.

NuggetofPurestGreen Wed 20-Nov-13 22:47:52

Me too pacific you won't get me off twitter though smile

I don't get it either tried it one, didn't understand.

My 19yr old told me he was on it the other day, cant remember how it came up, he couldn't give me a compelling argument as to how it would improve my life so im not going to bother. Will stick to Facebook.

Punkatheart Wed 20-Nov-13 22:49:40

I am a writer and Twitter for me is essential. I also love it. I connect with other writers, hear about competitions, enter competitions. I also connect with publishers and agents - sometimes they have got in contact with me and I have even got some writing work from it. A number of publishing professionals prefer their writers to be on Twitter - they can show they are social and that they support other writers and in turn, are supported themselves.

If there is news or an event in my local area, it's a great source of info. If there is someone who you could never meet or talk to in real life - Twitter might give you a chance. I have had a row with a stupid film director who encouraged people to eat wolf in one of his films. Ah, it was good to vent.

Hashtags give everyone a subject that they can hang a conversation around.

I write for a website, I edit a magazine - all of which I can publicise on Twitter.

10 million people use Twitter in the UK alone. It is a powerful source of info and used constructively, can be of huge benefit to everyone who needs to market themselves in any way.

It is no more complicated that the phone was once upon a time. As you can see, I am a Twitter evangelist!

LCHammer Wed 20-Nov-13 22:50:25

It can be a bit annoying when it's all about retweeting what the lovely people at this place or that place have going on. A bit self-congratulatory. I follow a few 'angry' people and that can be quite fun, I like the imaginative use of language. But on the whole, I don't get it either.

greenbananas Wed 20-Nov-13 22:52:18

I don't get it either, and I also distrust Facebook. I am much happier having real conversations with the people I see every day, and staying in touch with old friends by phone and text.

It all seems so egoistic to me - people thinking that the whole world wants to know what they think of the weather. .. But I accept that I am possibly missing something here and that Facebook and Twitter are improving the world. ..

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