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Water Fiters & Softeners
Water Filters & Softeners for Perfect Coffee
Bottled water used to seem like a great idea, but the cost - both monetary and environmental - is just too huge to ignore. Still, what's a coffee lover to do when your water is so hard it's put a crack in your fillings or so soft that you're afraid it's going to leak out of your ears? Bad water is the wrong way to start a cup, so stock up on softeners, filters and the treatments you need to give your coffee grounds the blank canvass they deserve to paint a sumptuous flavor masterpiece on top of.
Resin Water SoftenerMake a more delicious espresso drink today! This in-tank, rechargeable water softener will do the trick. It will remove more of the mineral content from your questionable tap water before it hits the boiler and waterworks. Learn More$12.95
Out of Stock
Global Customized Water Kit AB Formula, five mil - Pack of Five DosesUp to 75% of your body is water and over 98% of your coffee is water. Makes sense to rehydrate and re-caffeinate with the best water, doesn't it? Global Customized Water specializes in customized water for large commercial coffee operations, and they've developed this easy-to-use water treatment solution for home coffee creators to enjoy. Learn More$12.99
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Saeco Aqua Prima Filter ReplacementThe Aqua Prima filter reduces substances that may affect smell and taste of water such as chlorine. As a result, you get a perfect cup of coffee with a natural and intense aroma and a rich and creamy foam. Learn More$17.99 As low as: $17.49
Back in stock on 7/29/2017
Charcoal Water Filters for Capresso Drip Machines - 3 CountHard working charcoal water filter removes up to 82% of chlorine and other impurities from your water. Fits Jura-Capresso MT600 or MG600 espresso machine models. Learn More$17.00
Out of Stock
Bestcup S Water Filter for Rancilio SilviaThe Bestcup S Water Filter reduces scale build up and gives you clear, particle-free water with no unwanted tastes or orders. Less time making the coffee leaves more time to enjoy the coffee! Learn More
Regular Price: $28.00
Bestcup Water Filter AdaptorThe Bestcup Water Filter Adaptor allows Bestcup Water Filters to be used in a wide range of coffee and espresso machines. They make filtering water quicker, faster, and cleaner using a four-step filtration method. It comes with a suction cup so the intake hose has room without being cramped. The Bestcup Water Filter Adaptor makes it possible to use Bestcup filters that reduce scale build up and provide clear, particle-free water with no unwanted tastes or orders. Less time making the coffee leaves more time to enjoy the coffee! Learn More$20.00
Rocket Espresso Water Reservoir FilterWith the Rocket Espresso Water Reservoir Filter you'll have crisp clean water with the right amount of minerals to extract a tasty espresso shot. Learn More$15.99
Delonghi Water Filter for Delonghi Super Automatic Espresso MachinesKeep the water in your Delonghi Super Automatic fresh and crisp with the replaceable Delonghi Water Filter. This filter will reduce limescale, improve the quality of your coffee and the performance of your machine while all the while giving your machine a longer lifetime. Learn More
Regular Price: $17.99
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Breville Charcoal/Resin Water FiltersProtect your espresso investment with Breville's dual charcoal/resin water filters! Designed to sit over the intake of your Breville espresso machine or coffeemaker, each filter greatly reduces scale buildup and other impurities that make your machine less effective and your coffee less delicious! Each filter lasts about 2 months, depending on the hardness of your water. Learn More
Saeco Intenza Water Filter ReplacementThe Intenza+ reduces substances that may affect smell and taste of water such as chlorine. As a result
- you get a perfect cup of coffee with a natural and intense aroma and a rich and creamy foam. Learn More
Regular Price: $14.99
$12.64As low as: $11.99


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Submit News
Iran Deploys Snipers to Combat Cat-Sized "Mutant" Rats
Jason Mick
March 5, 2013 5:29 PM
Recipient E-mail
Sender E-mail
(Source: Mirage Studios)
"Mutant" rodents can grow to 5 kg, are about as big as cats, outnumber residents 6-to-1
According to
a top government-owned English language newspaper in the United Arab Emirates --
The National
-- the streets of Tehran have been running red with blood, as the government has deployed military troops to kill mutant
While Iran's Revolutionary Guard is typically more focused on
hurling threats against its western adversaries
, it's been forced to focus on the homeland amidst chaos in Tehran. The city has been plagued by an insidious infestation of an unusual breed of rats, which reportedly grow to the size of a cat.
Mohammad Hadi Heydarzadeh, the head of Tehran municipality's environmental agency told a state TV news agency last month, "It's become a 24/7 war. We use chemical poisons to kill the rats during the day and the snipers at night."
So far 2,000 of the fearsome creatures have been killed.
The problem has become exacerbated as snow from the Alborz mountains seasonally melts, raising water levels and flushing the rats out of their subterranean lairs. Researchers estimate the rats may outnumber their human adversaries six to one. And these aren't your run-of-the-mill rodents. Reportedly they grow to around 5 kg (11 lbs).
Iran has deployed skilled snipers to combat the rodent menace. [Image Source: ISNA]
Ismail Kahram, an environmental adviser to the city council, says the rats have changed in appearance over the years. He comments, "They seem to have had a genetic mutation. They are bigger now and look different. These are changes that normally take millions of years of evolution."
U.S. experts say this is unlikely, pointing out that even common black rats can get quite large.
Dr. David Baker
, a laboratory animal veterinarian at
the Huffington Post, "Nearly all genetic mutations identified across the field of biology are harmful and confer a disadvantage to the species rather than an advantage. It's not like in the sci-fi movies. [But] during the Middle Ages, [standard] black rats in Europe reportedly grew large enough -- and children were small enough -- to carry off babies. Those had to have been some big rats."
Regardless of who is right, one thing is for sure -- these are some big rats.
One of Iran's massive "mutant" rats. [Image Source: Reuters]
The city uses tons of poison a year. The special toxin used causes the rodents to become very thirst before death, a blessing as they then go off to die in the sewers, limiting the public health risk. Still, it appears that the city is making little headway against the ever growing rodent threat.
The National (UAE)
The Huffington Post
"So if you want to save the planet, feel free to drive your Hummer. Just avoid the drive thru line at McDonalds." -- Michael Asher
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Range Map
Flamingos belong to one of the oldest bird families dating back 30 million years in their present day forms. There is continued controversy over their classification, but many researchers list flamingos in their own order, Phoenicopteriformes and in the family Phoenicopteridae. There are six species of flamingos: Greater flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus), Caribbean flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber), Chilean flamingo (Phoenicopterus chilensis), Lesser flamingo (Phoeniconaias minor), Andean flamingo (Phoenicoparrus andinus) and the Puna or James' flamingo (Phoenicoparrus jamesi).
Other researchers include flamingos in one of many different orders, based on anatomical or behavioral comparisons, fossil evidence or DNA. For example, some consider flamingos related to the storks and herons of the order Ciconiiformes, while some name them as a family related to waders and stilts within the order Charadriiformes. Others claim flamingos are related to the stork, ibis, pelican and New World vulture, while others group them with the family of geese in the order Anseriformes.
Flamingos have widespread ranges within South America, the Caribbean, Africa, and parts of southern Europe and southern Asia. Chilean flamingos, along with the Andean and James' or Puna flamingos, have an extensive range throughout much of southern South America in Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina and Uruguay.
Flamingos live in wetlands that may be very saline, alkaline or even fresh water. Chilean flamingos range from lowlands to high altitudes, along the coast or far inland and with great temperature variations.
Chilean flamingos are extremely hardy birds. They regularly live in lakes at altitudes up to 15,420 feet (4,700 meters), as well as at sea level. Chilean flamingos also withstand Altiplano (high plain) winter nights as cold as -22° F (-30° C) around hot springs, which prevent water from freezing. These lakes are usually inhospitable to all living creatures except for algae, diatoms, aquatic invertebrates and of course, the flamingos. If lakes in the Altiplano have fish, they usually have very few flamingos. The lakes, lagoons or coastal estuaries must be large and shallow to support very large populations of flamingo and their feeding habits.
The six species vary greatly in size, from 31 – 55 inches (79 – 140 cm) in height, with wingspans from 39 – 63 inches (1 – 1.6 m) wide.
Adult weight: Male - 6.6 pounds (3 kg) and females 5.5 pounds (2.5 kg)
Adult Height: stands 40 – 42 inches tall (100 – 105 cm).
Certain pigments found in their food provide the familiar and characteristic coloration on the feathers, legs and beak. While all flamingos have black flight feathers, they vary in length and placement. Chilean flamingos have more black on the end of their beaks and pale, yellowish-gray legs with red 'knees' (actually ankles) and feet.
Flamingos usually live between 20-30 years, with some wild flamingos living more than 50 years.
In the wild: minute particles of algae, diatoms (marine and freshwater algae), aquatic invertebrates, plant seeds and very small fish.
At the zoo: a commercially prepared diet that is specially formulated to provide the pigments necessary for coloration.
The chicks hatch after 27 – 31 days of incubation. The gray, downy chick stays on top of the nest between the wing and body of either parent. At birth, the chick has a straight beak. Both the female and the male feed the chick "crop milk." A gland in their upper digestive tract produces this bright red substance that is nutritionally similar to mammalian milk. Just 5 – 12 days after hatching, chicks within the colony leave their nests and form a crèche, a group of similar-aged chicks watched over by a few adults. For subsequent feedings, parents locate their offspring in the crèche through voice recognition. At 10 – 12 weeks of age, the chick's formerly straight beak develops the characteristic flamingo downturn and can effectively filter food. At 6 – 10 months of age, juveniles develop regular feathers that lack the distinctive pigmentation. At 1 year old or younger, juveniles can acquire extensive pink feathering that may be mixed with gray-brown contour feathers. Juveniles usually have full pink feathering by 2 – 3 years of age. Juveniles reach sexual maturity and can successfully breed between 3 – 5 years old.
All species of flamingos are highly gregarious and live in colonies. Their entire reproductive cycle occurs within a large flock, often consisting of thousands of individuals. In tropical or subtropical climates, flamingos may breed any time of year. Flamingos that live in temperate climates with distinct seasons breed in springtime. For the Chilean flamingo, this means that breeding on the Altiplano begins in November (seasons are reversed for regions south of the Equator). Since limited information exists about their breeding habits, it is thought that flamingos are monogamous and form strong pair bonds that may last for multiple years. However, some males can be polygamous and will attempt to breed with multiple females.
For months preceding and following breeding, flamingos perform ritualized group displays accompanied by noisy vocalizations that include growling and grunting. These displays include "head-flagging," where the out-stretched head is rhythmically turned back and forth; the "wing-salute," with wings held open and tail and head erect; the "twist-preen;" "wing-leg stretch" and marching in sequence and unison. Researchers believe that the purpose of these displays is to stimulate hormones and synchronize breeding attempts within the colony.
Flamingos prefer to nest when the water level is high enough and will provide sufficient food and protection from predators, but they will still mate if conditions are not ideal. Both male and female participate in building the nest, usually on mud or salt flats. The mud nest is typically cone-shaped with a trench or a moat excavated around the base. The female lays her single large white egg in a shallow depression on top of the nest. The nest may be quite large, from 12 – 18 inches (30 – 46 cm) tall and 12 – 24 inches (30 – 61 cm) wide at the bottom. If the nest survives the weather, the pair may re-use it in subsequent years and will refresh or rebuild the nest if necessary. If there are no mudflats upon which to build a nest, Chilean flamingos lay their eggs on bare ground. Breeding colonies consist of dozens, if not thousands of flamingo pairs. Male and female share the duty of incubation.
Flamingos rarely live outside of a large colony. Chilean flamingos commonly live with Andean and James' or Puna flamingos, much like the combined flocks of Greater and Lesser flamingos in East Africa. These highly social birds require a species-specific colony size of at least dozens of individuals. However, the size of a combined species varies, from 10,000 to more than a million birds. Compared to the Andean and James' or Puna flamingos, Chilean flamingos have slightly different beak structures. This allows them to feed on different types and sizes of food at greater depths. The Andean and James' or Puna flamingos feed at the surface. Thus, the different species of flamingos within a combined flock do not compete for food resources and this large colony provides security from predators.
In addition to feeding together, flamingos usually take flight together in lines or "V" formations. Unlike some water birds (such as ducks), flamingos cannot simply begin flying from a standstill. Instead, they must run extensive distances to build up sufficient speed and lift before they can take off. Once airborne, their flight speed can reach 37 mph (60 kmh). Even though they fly together, flamingos follow no strict migration patterns. Instead, according to climate and water conditions, they may widely disperse. For example, Chilean flamingos travel from the Andean Altiplano down to coastal regions and to the southern tip of Argentina. Flamingos rest or sleep in a one-legged stance facing into the wind, usually all together.
Flamingos have highly recognizable physical features with their long legs, long necks, distinctive bill shape and coloration. Relative to the body size of most birds, flamingos have the longest legs and necks. This allows them to wade in deeper waters and reach deeper for food. They also have webbed front toes to provide stability when walking in mud and to help with swimming.
The unique bills of flamingos allow them to filter the water for food much like baleen whales. Hairy, comb-like structures line their beaks and the tongue pumps water through these structures. This process strains the water and traps tiny food particles. The characteristic downturn in the bill keeps an even filtering gap between the upper and lower mandible, from the base to the tip. This narrow opening also prevents the entry of particles that are too large. Standing in water, a flamingo uses its long legs to stir up the mud, while holding its head upside down to scoop up water and food.
Chilean flamingos are on exhibit in the Temperate Forest. They share their exhibit with the Coscoroba swans and the southern pudu (small deer). The Temperate Forest also includes the Family Farm, Bug World, Wetlands and Asian cranes. Other birds on exhibit in the Temperate Forest include: various pheasant species, curassows and trumpeters from South America, and several softbills (jays, laughing thrushes, turacos, whistling thrushes, birds of paradise and mynahs).
TAlthough they have an estimated population of no more than 200,000, Chilean flamingos are not an endangered species. Other flamingo populations are not so fortunate. Andean flamingos have less than 50,000 individuals, and Puna or James' flamingos number less than 100,000. Since the 1970s, most flamingo populations in South America have declined sharply. Human activity causes the most serious problems for flamingos, due to lithium mining, water diversion, egg harvesting, agriculture, industrial projects, tourism-related disturbances and fish introduction into lakes. Other birds and some mammals eat the eggs and chicks.
However, there is hope for these beautiful birds. There are many reasons why flamingos should be considered a flagship species for wetland conservation. First, they are charismatic and easily recognized. Second, as local conditions change throughout the year, they use wetland resources extensively, moving from one wetland to another. Lastly, flamingos use coastal estuaries for wintering habitat – these are particularly important and productive wetlands. For information on the Flamingo Research and Conservation in the Americas project: http://cbc.amnh.org/center/programs/birds-flamingos.html.
The effort to save endangered species requires cooperation and support at the international, national, regional and individual levels. You can help in this cause. Join and become active in Woodland Park Zoo and other conservation organizations of your choice. Please do not buy products made from wild animal parts. Contact your elected representatives and express your views about conservation of endangered species and wild habitats.
Contact Woodland Park Zoo at firstname.lastname@example.com to find out how you can support conservation efforts at the zoo. Learn other ways you can help conserve wildlife and the habitats they require for survival by visiting our How You Can Help page.
Arengo, Felicity. "Flamingo Research and Conservation in the Americas."
BirdLife International (2007) Species factsheet: Phoenicopterus chilensis. Accessed January 9, 2008 at http://www.birdlife.org.
del Hoyo, J., Elliot, A. & Sargatal, J. eds. 1992. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Vol. 1. Ostrich to Ducks. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain. 589 p.
Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Phoenicopteriformes Family: Phoenicopteridae Genus: Phoenicopterus Species: P. chilensis
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By Mark LeVine In the 18 months since February 11, 2011, the military has squandered almost all of the goodwill that remained with the Egyptian people. True, some still support the military, either because they're part of the economic elite, the bloated security system, or are tied to both through patronage networks. The plight of [Read More…]
Morsi Wins in Egypt, A Win for the Revolution
June 25, 2012 by Leave a Comment


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Consultants said a draft of the environmental impact study will be completed in spring 2016.
The timeline for another crossing of the Cape Fear River has been pushed back again.
At a meeting Monday of the Cape Fear Crossing Work Group, consultants from URS Corp. said a draft of the environmental impact study will be completed in spring 2016, and a final study will be approved in the summer of 2017.
At a meeting in November, DOT representatives said the draft could be finished as soon as 2014, with the study being finalized as soon as 2015.
"From a citizen's and a public official's standpoint, this project has been put off and put off and put off.... I just don't understand how we keep getting different projected dates," said Laura Padgett, a Wilmington city councilwoman and member of the work group.
The group includes local elected officials who also sit on the Transportation Advisory Committee, representatives from the N.C. Department of Transportation and consultants who are working on the project.
The current timeline is the most accurate so far, according to the DOT, as they're beginning to get a better feel for exactly what the project will entail.
"We'll continue to try to compress the overall schedule, but now that we know how many acres we need to delineate and things we need to take into consideration, that's what they came up with when they put it into the scheduling software," said Jennifer Harris, head of the DOT's turnpike project development section.
Bill Sisson, a Wrightsville Beach alderman, said he'd prefer to have realistic, pessimistic projections over best-case scenarios.
"It's always easy to be surprised positively than to have to go back to your constituents and explain why this isn't going to happen," he said.
Landowners near the possible crossing sites already identified – just south of the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge and near Independence Boulevard – will receive letters in coming weeks letting them know consultants will be doing surveys in the area. Consultants stressed that the surveys are being used to determine where a structure could go and that no final decision has been reached.
"We just really want to emphasize that if landowners see us out there, it doesn't mean the bridge is going to be there," said David Griffin, a senior transportation engineer with URS.
URS representatives also said they want to sit down with David Hollis, Leland's town manager, to make sure they're on the same page about the town's proposed route from Independence Boulevard across the Cape Fear to a point just south of Town Creek, then heading west to the intersection of U.S. 17 and N.C. 87 at Bell Swamp. If the route passes initial consideration, though, it could mean the impact studies take even longer, depending on how much manpower is available to consultants.
Adam Wagner: 343-2096
On Twitter: @adamwagner1990


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Cespedes wins HR Derby over Frazier
Yoenis Cespedes defended his Home Run Derby title with nine homers to Todd Frazier's one in the fourth and final round Monday night.
Both Cespedes and Frazier had rallied to win their respective league finals in the third round. Frazier bested Giancarlo Stanton 1-0, while Cespedes overtook Jose Bautista 7-4.
Bautista hit the most homers (10) for the American League in the first round and earned a bye. Stanton also received a bye after going deep six times in the first round for the National League.
Frazier, of the Cincinnati Reds, recovered after a slow start. He hit just two home runs in the first round but reached the second round after winning a tiebreaker against Justin Morneau. Frazier then went deep six times in the second round to earn a date with Stanton in the NL finals.
Cespedes also reached the second round after winning a tiebreaker against Oakland Athletics teammate Josh Donaldson. Cespedes hit nine home runs, the longest at 416 feet, in the second round to face Bautista in the AL finals.
The derby was delayed about an hour due to rain in Minnesota.
Bautista led all participants with 10 first-round homers. His longest of the first round was 428 feet.
Stanton provided a first-round highlight when he hit a deep homer to dead center at 430 feet


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Strikeforce Melendez vs Healy Saturday September 29th 2012
Strikeforce Melendez vs Healy Predictions- This Episode of the show covers Predictions for the 5 Main Card Fights on the Strikeforce Melendez vs Healy.
The Strikeforce Melendez vs Healy Prelim Predictions are available @ kamikazeoverdrive.net
Main Card
Lightweight Championship bout: Gilbert Melendez (c) vs. Pat Healy
Light Heavyweight bout: Gian Villante vs. Guto Inocente
Lightweight bout: Isaac Vallie-Flagg vs. Adriano Martins
Welterwieght bout: Jorge Santiago vs. Quinn Mulhern
Lightweight bout: Josh Thomson vs. Caros Fodor
Preliminary card
Lightweight bout: Jorge Gurgel vs. Mizuto Hirota
Women's Bantamweight bout: Amanda Nunes vs. Cat Zingano
Light Heavyweight bout: Mike Kyle vs. Dion Staring
Welterweight bout: Nah-Shon Burrell vs. Yuri Villefort
Lightweight bout: Estevan Payan vs. Michael Bravo
kamikazeoverdrive.net @ http://kamikazeoverdrive.net/
Check out my MMA Rankings for 8 UFC divisions; the UFC Champions and top 21 contenders for there respective titles @ kamikazeoverdrive,net. Please comment and subscribe to my channel: Kamikaze Overdrive MMA Predictions
New and Expanded Betting Packages can be purchased @ kamikazeoverdrive.net for $10.
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FeartheFighter.com @ http://www.fearthefighter.com/
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MMACRYPTS.com @ http://mmacrypt.com/forum/
COUCHFIGHTER.co @ http://couchfighter.co/
ADRENALINE TRAINING CENTER @ http://www.adrenalinemma
FENICHEL'S FANTASY FIGHT LEAGUE @ http://www.FantasyMMAWorld.com


text:
Hi-Tech Village Hall Opens In Skaneateles
The Village of Skaneateles and NYSERDA today announced the grand opening of the first municipal net-zero energy building in New York State. The Skaneateles Village Hall, formerly a vacant fire station, will house new village offices and a police station and is expected to produce more energy than it consumes. Officials met at the site today to announce the grand opening.
The village was awarded $546,000 for the energy efficient building improvements by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority through Governor Andrew M. Cuomo's Regional Economic Development initiative.
The $1.5 million project is expected to reduce energy usage by more than 62,000 kilowatt hours of electricity annually and result in the avoidance of 46 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually.
"The Village of Skaneateles should be commended for its demonstrated leadership and for this dynamic net-zero energy building that can serve as a valuable model for other municipalities," said John B. Rhodes, President and CEO, NYSERDA. "Increasing energy efficiency across all sectors of New York's economy remains a cornerstone of Governor Cuomo's efforts in advancing the State's clean-energy economy through public-private partnerships in every region of the State thereby ensuring a clean, affordable and sustainable energy future for all New Yorkers."


text:
Anxiety can fill you with worry and fear. Sometimes anxiety is healthy. It alerts you to a potential threat and prompts you to respond and take action. But, for some people, anxiety gets so bad it causes problems in daily life. If you find yourself in a constant state of anxiety, you may have an anxiety disorder called generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Speak with your doctor or mental health professional to learn more. He or she can help.
With GAD, you might worry about money, your family and friends, work, or the world in general. You might not even be sure what you're anxious about. Whatever it is, though, you have an intense fear that the worst will happen. These feelings never really go away. This constant worry affects your quality of life and makes it hard to function. GAD can cause physical symptoms, too.
People with GAD often think they have a physical illness. The disorder can cause symptoms, such as:
Muscle tension, especially in the neck and shoulders.
Nausea and stomach problems.
Frequent headaches.
Feeling lightheaded.
Restlessness, trouble sleeping.
Feeling irritable and on edge all the time.
GAD can be treated with medicine or therapy, or both. Medicine helps to reduce symptoms, so you can continue with your daily routine. Therapy helps you understand the cause of your anxiety and learn how to manage it. Both forms of treatment help you deal with obstacles that anxiety causes in your life, so you can be healthier and happier.


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Mitzvah Play Date with Exceptional Young Adults - JCC Rockland
Ages: TE
450 West Nyack Road - 845-362-4400
West Nyack, NY 10994
Description: Local teens are invited to help host a play date for their peers who have special needs. Come shoot pool, play games, bake cookies, or do other activities with young adults from various agencies throughout the community. Host teens can get community service credit for their participation.


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You might need a driver for your card. You could also try changing the xgamma settings.
# xgamma -help for more info.
# echo 100 > /proc/acpi/video/NVID/LCD/brightness where NVID would be the directory where my LCD brightness settings are located.
Your may be different. Look in the ./video directory for the appropriate name. The number 100 being somewhat arbitrary. The max here is 100 again yours may be different.


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Jessica Simpson's New Weight Watchers Commercial: Watch Here!
Posted Thursday December 20, 2012 10:35 AM GMT
She's on her way to becoming a mother for the second time, and Jessica Simpson looks fabulous in her brand new Weight Watchers commercial.
The newly-released clip features the "Dukes of Hazzard" dame out in the sunny desert sporting slim-fitting jeans and a black top underneath a flannel shirt.
And Jessica makes the excellent point that though she definitely had to watch what she ate, it wasn't torture dropping fifty pounds.
"I didn't need to be perfect to get here, to lose over 50 pounds on Weight Watchers. I'm only human. I love food, I love life. I had no idea I could be so in control and so free at the same time," she gushed.
Photo Credit: Weight Watchers
filed under Jessica Simpson, Celebrity News


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Online Resources for Future Librarians
The past few weeks have been great for people who are looking for information about what librarians do right now.
First, check out the Library Day in the Life project. It was created by the fabulous Bobbi Newman to provide a way for librarians, and others in libraries, to share what they do with the larger world. This has been very nice for those of us in libraries to learn what other library folks do, but is particularly useful for people just getting interested in the field, who want to see what a day in the life is really like. I've blogged this in the past, but had to miss this year because I was on vacation.
Also check out the post So, you're thinking about becoming a librarian? by Erin Dorney. One of the best pieces of advice I can give is to talk to librarians to see what they have to say. And talk to a bunch, all of our perspectives are based on our own specific context. Erin gives some great answers, so click on through to read it.


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A Salt Lake County family of three and a neighboring elderly couple were temporarily without homes Thursday after a fast-moving, three-alarm fire broke out overnight.
Investigators said a 12-year-old boy had confessed to accidentally starting the blaze by playing with matches near an open container of gasoline.
Unified Fire Authority Capt. Clint Mecham said the first of several 911 calls came from the first home involved in the blaze, bringing UAF, South Salt Lake and Murray crews to 4394 S. 730 East.
"When the first firefighters arrived they found heavy smoke and fire coming from the carport. As they worked to lay hose lines, the flames quickly spread into the home associated with the carport and then to the neighbor's house," Mecham said.
By 1:15 a.m., crews by then numbering 75 personnel declared the fire controlled. Firefighters worked another two hours to douse hot spots and secure the scene.
A mother, father and child from the "extensively damaged" first home and the elderly couple from the second home, which sustained some roofing and attic damage, escaped unharmed, Mecham said.
The fire caused an estimated $250,000 damage to the first home and $150,000 in damage to the second residence.
Twitter: @remims


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When customers arrive at Ventura U-Cart Concrete in Ventura, Calif., to pick up and haul their own mixed concrete, a cart is chained to the truck's undercarriage. The plant operator pours a small quantity of concrete in the cart, and off the customer goes, out the exit and onto the day's special project. In less than 15 minutes, Ventura has sent another do-it-yourselfer on the road. "Selling concrete to the u-haul customer is our primary business," says owner/operator Gary Ryan, who also sells contractor tools and supplies.
Down the coast, United Rentals, San Diego, has been doing a brisk stationary mixer business since 1987. With 75% of its customer base consisting of small and large contractors, United Rentals sells concrete by the quarter-yard.
With a public demand for quick service and a willingness to undertake more projects, versatile and aggressive producers are gaining a competitive edge by using onsite stationary volumetric mixers combined with rental carts to create profitable businesses.
Previously an area concrete contractor for 15 years, Gary and David Ryan-equal partners-bought an existing material supply company in 1994. There were few customers, and the equipment was worn out. The Ryans worked 70-hour weeks to build a healthy, lucrative business. Their efforts have paid off. After generating about 100 yards of concrete per month at first, the company's sales have multiplied to about 300 yards per month.
About 80% of the company's stationary volumetric mixer customers are contractors who work on such projects as sidewalk repair. A large number of these contractors are engineering firms that use small quantities of concrete for such projects as storm drains, curbs, gutters, water mains, and pipes. "Even big contractors will have a need for only a yard or two of concrete," explains Ryan. The other 20% of the business consists of homeowners making such home improvements as storage sheds, patios, and driveways. The Ryans began batching concrete with an old paddle mixer. However, 2 years ago they purchased a truck-mounted volumetric mixer at World of Concrete. "We were so impressed with the technology," comments Ryan, "that 6 months later we bought a stationary volumetric plant to replace the paddle mixer." With a 30-yard-per-hour capacity, the system has two aggregate bins holding pea gravel and a 1-inch minus mix--which Ryan refers to as that most commonly used in concrete--and a large cement silo.
Says Ryan, "It's only four minutes per yard-that's pretty fast. We tell customers they can be in and out of here in 15 minutes maximum."
Ventura has 18 carts: seven single-axle hydraulic lifts, seven double axles, four rotary carts usually used for longer routes. A yard of concrete, including the cart, costs $100, with extra charges if hydraulic carts are not rinsed off, if customers leave significant amounts of concrete and rotary carts.
United Rentals charges $90 per yard, which includes use of a hydraulic lift cart for 3 hours, and adds a $50-per-hour charge for any additional time. Those who return carts with concrete pay $85.
Working hard to maintain a good reputation, Ryan stresses, "Contractors are pretty demanding. You have to meet certain standards to do business with them."
Ryan's marketing methods yellow pages, word of mouth, brochures and followup with office visits.
Ryan plans to double business in 2001. Having invested about $150,000 in the stationary volumetric mixer and carts, Ryan and his son expect to pay them off in another year and a half.
Bill Meade, co-owner of Meade Concrete Products Inc., Lexington, Ky., installed a volumetric mixer onsite less than 2 years ago. According to Meade, the stationary mixer also serves as an excellent marketing tool for the company's diverse inventory. "Do-it-yourselfers and homeowners who come in to pick up concrete for projects see some of the other products we have besides concrete block."
Chester Deboe, owner of A.C. Krebs Co., Louisville, Ky., is the block producer who encouraged Meade to invest in the stationary volumetric mixer. What gave him the idea a dozen years ago to pursue this application? "I read something in your magazine," he responds with an amused tone.


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NICK VAYENASAffiliation:
NYC based Trombonist, Trumpeter, Vocalist, and Composer/Arranger. Member of singer Michael Buble's Band.
Artist's BiographyAfter years of juggling life as a creative musician on the NYC scene to touring the globe as a sidekick to Michael Buble, one of the music industrys biggest stars, Nick Vayenas is ready to step once again into the spotlight as a musician of style and substance. With his latest solo album, the self-titled Nick Vayenas, Nick displays an astonishing breadth of skill, featuring himself on Vocals, Trumpet, and Trombone. However impressive the tools at his disposal are, theyre merely in service of the mature, unique voice that brings them to life.
Nick Vayenas builds on the vision demonstrated on Nicks critically acclaimed 2009 debut album Synesthesia, which featured none other than Aaron Parks, Patrick Cornelius, Matt Brewer, Gretchen Parlato, and Kendrick Scott, and was notable for its blending of live acoustic performances with electronic sounds, for its compelling conceptual purity, and for featuring Vayenas virtuosic mastery of the trombone. This latest album frames Vayenas talents more solidly within the Jazz and American songbook traditions. It also shows more sides of his personality, giving fully equal attention to new workings of classic material mixed with original compositions. For his new album, Nick eschews a compositional narrative thread, presenting a more complete representation of his musicianship. I wanted to make an unpretentious record, Nick explains. I like music that grooves hard, has strong melodic content, and exposes the listener to various moods and emotions.
Vayenas evolution as an artist reflects a life in and of music. He seamlessly straddles both the commercial music industry and the more creative jazz and improvised music world, having worked comfortably with international pop superstars like Michael Buble and Josh Groban, and respected New York jazz artists like Kendrick Scott, Dayna Stephens, Blue Note recording artist Lionel Loueke (a long time collaborator) and Patrick Cornelius alike. He is equally at home performing in intimate New York jazz clubs such as The Jazz Gallery and The Blue Note and in huge arenas making music for tens of thousands such as the O2 Center in London, and his years spent touring the globe and paying his dues in the music scene have prepared him for the most musically personal statement of his life so far. Nick Vayenas releases June 2012 on Whirlwind Recordings. For more information, please see: www.nickvayenas.com
Nick Vayenas is a Conn-Selmer artist.
A young composer finding a new sound all his own. --JazzTimes
This album is well conceived and more than casually ambitious. -- Nate Chinen, The New York Times
A resourceful young improviser. -- Nate Chinen, The New York Times
A valiant opening salvo for a new musician on the scene whose star should rise quickly. -- Michael Nastos, All Music Guide
Vayenas and company\'s endeavors will surely give adventurous music fans something to look forward to -- Greg Camphire, All About Jazz


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Washington : Government Printing Office
|Chap. 645
|Seminole Indian reservation.
|Chap. 645
|15 U. S. C. ch. 16.
|Sec. 2
Page 748
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of Americas in Congress assembled, That the equitable title to the lands and interests in lands together with the improvements thereon, acquired by the United States under authority of title II of the National Industrial Recovery Act, approved June 16, 1933 (48 Stat. 200), the Emergency Relief Appropriation Act of 1935, approved April 8, 1935 (49 Stat. 115), and section 55 of the Act entitled "An Act to amend the Agricultural Adjustment Act, and for other purposes", approved August 24, 1935 (49 Stat. 750, 781), administrative jurisdiction over which was transferred from the Secretary of Agriculture to the Secretary of the Interior by Executive Order Numbered 7868, dated April 15, 1938, for the use of the Seminole Tribe, is hereby conveyed to the Seminole Tribe of Indians in the State of Florida, and such lands and interests are hereby declared to be held by the United States in trust for the Seminole Tribe of Indians in the State of Florida in the same manner and to the same extent as other land held in trust for such tribe.
The lands declared to be held in trust for the Seminole Tribe of Indians in the State of Florida under the first section of this Act and all lands which have been acquired by the United States for the Seminole Tribe of Indians in the State of Florida under authority of the Act entitled "An Act to conserve and develop Indian lands and resources; to extend to Indians the right to form business and other organizations; to establish a credit system for Indians; to grant certain rights of home rule to Indians; to provide for vocational education for Indians; and for other purposes" approved June 18, 1934 (48 Stat. 984), are hereby declared to be a reservation for the use and benefit of such Seminole Tribe in Florida.
Nothing in this Act shall deprive any Indian of any
Page 749
individual right, ownership, right of possession, or contract right he may have in any land or interest in land referred to in this Act.
Approved, July 20, 1956.


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Find a Job
Search our online job board.
Our online job board contains listings for open positions, both on and off campus. It allows you to search your options by category, wage, hours per week and more.
First, choose the type of job you seek:
Position that requires work-study
Includes on-campus and community service jobs
On-campus position not requiring work-study
Connects you to the human resources online job board
Off-campus position
Lists openings available to all students
International Students
Most international students have restrictions regarding where they are able to work. If you're an international student, check your employment eligibility, or contact International Student and Scholar Services for more information about work-related restrictions.


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Grammy Award-Winning Soprano Ana Maria Martinez Performs with Mercury, 2/14-15
For the first time in the orchestra's history, Mercury will feature Grammy Award-winning soprano, Ana María Martínez, in its upcoming Valentine's Day program tonight, February 14 & 15.
Love Songs with Ana María Martínez features a diverse repertoire of romantic compositions written for starry-eyed lovers, Friends and family alike.
Handel, Cantato Delirio Amoroso, HWV99
Purcell, Dido and Aeneas
Handel, Concerto Grosso Op. 6, #4
Handel, Giulio Cesare in Egitto
To purchase tickets, call (713) 533-0080 or visit www.MercuryHouston.org. Tickets are available in the $10, $20, $40 and $60 range.
Ana Maria Martinez enjoys a world-sweeping schedule of performances studded by illustrious "firsts". The Houston Grand Opera and Oscar and Lynn Wyatt awarded to Ms Martinez the inaugural Lynn Wyatt Great Artist Award. She is an alumna of the Houston Grand Opera Studio. Local audiences look forward to return engagements with The Grand Opera, the scene of her critically acclaimed role debut as Cio-Cio San in Madama Butterfly and where she has featured in some of her favorite roles, including Rosina in IL Barbiere di Siviglia, Nedda in I Pagliacci, Mimi in La Boheme, Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni, la Contessa in Le Nozze di Figaro and Liù inTurandot. Strong connections in our local arts scene and a platform of achievement in the performing arts community.
Prestigious stages around the world welcome her accomplished lyric soprano voice. She has appeared in productions as diverse as selections from the Broadway musical West Side Story performed in Carnegie Hall with the New York Philharmonic, to an appearance in a Lyric Opera of Chicago production of Faust singing the role of Marguerite. Significantly, she has set some milestones in the performance world, portraying Mimi in La Bohemewith the Abu Dhabi Festival in the United Arab Emirates, for the city's first ever fully staged opera production; and with the Houston Grand Opera, the role of Lucero in the world premiere of Daniel Catán's Salsipuedes. The 2012-13 season continues the accomplished tour, with major role debuts with the Opera National de Paris as Antonia in Offenbach's Les Contes d'Hoffman; and as Eva in Wagner's Die Meistersinger with De Nederlandse Opera. A highlight No Doubt will be her performance in the inaugural season of the Placido Domingo Festival in Malaga, Spain - with Placido Domingo himself conducting.


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Kids, like young Paul Hemphill, went speechless in the presence of Fred Hatfield the third baseman.
Kelly, who graduated from Pitt in 1933, should easily waltz past Colorado Rockies third baseman Ty Wigginton's UNC Asheville.
"Ted just had that natural ability," said Hall of Fame second baseman Bobby Doerr.
Seriously: why no profile of White Sox third baseman Kevin Youkilis, probably the most visible Jew in contemporary sports?
For the third base it may be advisable to have a signal with the baseman to notify him of a throw.
There was a laugh at this, and Mackay, the third baseman, looked a little sheepish.
It was Pink Northrop, right fielder, who finally recovered it and threw it frantically in to second baseman.
This was Orville Foxhall, second baseman of the Wyndham nine.
Third baseman smothered it as it arose from the ground for the first bound and threw swiftly.
Then Burkett, the burly first baseman of the Giants, strode to the plate.


text:
By common agreement the situation in Iraq is dangerous and deteriorating. By similar common agreement there is no appetite for international intervention to do anything about it. Neither the US or Europe or anyone else will be sending forces into the besieged cities Mosul or Kirkuk. After more than a decade of unsuccessful wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, there is no public or political support for engagement anywhere – not in Syria, Libya or now in northern Iraq. Though totally understandable, I think this is profoundly wrong and very dangerous. Read more
© The Financial Times Ltd 2016 FT and 'Financial Times' are trademarks of The Financial Times Ltd.


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Thursday, January 20, 2011
How to Use Twitter
"What's that you say?" I asked. "140 characters? What can you do with that?"
Turns out: A lot actually.
Twitter is awesome. Awesome I tell you! It is the end of boredom, it is an incredible way to feel instantly connected with faraway people (even celebrities and other people you don't know), it is the Great Font of Interesting Stuff.
But it can be intimidating at first.
For those who haven't checked it out, Twitter is basically a stream of posts by people you follow, all less than 140 characters. And you Tweet short messages to your own followers. It's pretty much that simple.
So! Here are a few tips on how best to use Twitter:
Pick a Good Username
This is, admittedly, not that easy now that there are millions of people using Twitter. But your username is you on Twitter. It's how people communicate with you, it's how you'll be identified. So don't go choosing @LoserMcLoserMan and be like, "Oh, well, I'll go changing that later," or "I'll just go by my display name.
You can't. You are @LoserMcLoserMan forever. (Ok, well, according to the comments section you can change it but still.)
So choose wisely, and since every character counts, err on the side of short. The people who want to mention you will thank you.
Follow Interesting People
The best way to enjoy Twitter is by following very interesting people. You can always check out Twitter's Who to Follow suggestions to browse by your interests, you can search for your favorite celebrities, or just see who is being retweeted a lot by your friends and follow them. Your Twitter experience is really only as good as the people you follow and interact with.
Once the number of people you follow grows to a certain point, you can create lists like "Friends" and "Celebrities" and "Reality TV Stars" so you can keep things manageable and quickly check in on the people whose Tweets you don't want to miss.
And, ahem, shameless plug and all that, I'm on Twitter here.
Tweet What You're Best At
For the most part Twitter is super easy. You just write something short, hit Tweet, and there you go. Boom. You just told people about how you saw a cat jump in a toilet. And the Internet thanks you.
But to really build a following, it's important to be useful in some way. Some people scour the Internet and find really great links. Some people participate and organize chats. Some people are funny. Some people are clever. Some people are interesting.
But as always: just be yourself. You'll have the most fun that way and it's really the most effective way anyway.
Use URL Shorteners
140 characters isn't much, especially when you're sharing links. So! If you want to share a link, you'll need to use a link shortener.
What's a link shortener? It basically turns this: http://blog.nathanbransford.com/blahblahblah into this: t.co/xxxxxx When people click on the short link it opens up as the big link.
There are two main ways of going about the shortening of links. If you see an official Tweet button (like the one at the bottom of this post), you can always click on one of those and they'll usually use Twitter's own t.co shortener.
Otherwise, some people swear by bit.ly.
(Wonky explanation for the differences of opinion between t.co vs. bit.ly that you should skip unless you're really curious: On Twitter.com, the t.co displays as the big link you're sharing once you post even though Twitter doesn't count those extra characters toward your 140. So the advantage is that people can easily see what they're clicking on and may be more likely to click on them. But some people swear by bit.ly because it makes it easier to copy that link into another Tweet. t.co vs. bit.ly is sort of like the Jets and the Sharks of the Twitter world. And there are other rebels out there as well.)
Learn What @replies Mean and What They Do
There is a crucial principle about Twitter that even some relatively experienced Tweeters sometimes miss. And that is the @reply.
When you start a post with @NathanBransford, not everyone who follows you sees that Tweet. Only your followers who follow @NathanBransford see it.
This is a completely genius feature. It means that people only see back and forth conversations that are relevant to them--you only see replies between people you follow. But it also means that if you want to mention @NathanBransford to more than just people who follow me, you'll have to start with something other than the @. Like a period. Or a word.
Also, as Corinne points out, if you actually click the Reply button rather than simply typing @Corinne, in New Twitter people will be able to easily see the conversation thread.
Have Good Twitter Manners
Sure, with only 140 characters it's tempting to just grab someone's link and Tweet it to your followers. But if you use someone's link it's important to give them credit with their full Twitter handle, such as "via @colsonwhitehead" or even just "(@colsonwhitehead)"
Also you should be following @colsonwhitehead. That is important. Not because you have to follow someone whose links you used, but rather because @colsonwhitehead is hilarious.
A hashtag is a word with a # at the front. People use this on Twitter to make a topic easily searchable. You can click on a hashtagged word and see real-time search results of people using that hashtag on Twitter. So if you wanted to have a live chat or if there's a popular topic of the moment, you can see real-time dialogue. (See Colleen's comment for more on following chats)
Hashtags have also become somewhat of an inside joke, and people sometimes like to use hashtags at the end of their posts to be funny even when it's not a popular term. Like #Justsayin.
When you see a funny or insightful post, it's really fun to retweet that post to your followers.
There are two ways to retweet. One is old school, one is new school.
Old school: Tweeting "RT @personsusername Their Tweet"
New school: Twitter has an official retweet button. This will retweet that person's Tweet to your followers. This is also partly how Twitter's "Top Tweets" are determined - by the number of people who retweeted them using the retweet button.
Again, there are different schools of thought about this, but I lean toward the new school. It can be a little jarring when someone uses the New School retweet and someone I don't know shows up in my feed, but it seems to me like it's the best way of really giving that person credit for their amazing Tweet.
(See sheribomb's comment for another important distinction on new vs. old)
Have Fun
The best thing about Twitter is the spirit. There's something about that 140 character limit that makes people witty and funny and wise. You'd think having such a short space would dumb things down, but it's almost like meter in poetry--the constraint makes people work harder to say things that count.
So enjoy it!
And keep an eye out for hilarious cats.
Please add your own Twitter tips in the comments section, and I'll add especially good ones to the post!
108 comments:
- Alan Orloff said...
Any tips on using those hashtag thingys?
- January 20, 2011 at 10:10 AM
- Becca said...
I had a twitter once, but deleted it years ago.
I suppose I should get one again to fully take advantage of social networking.
- January 20, 2011 at 10:10 AM
- Lori Brighton said...
Yes! Please, someone explain Hashtags!
- January 20, 2011 at 10:13 AM
- Terry Odell said...
With the new 'real time' twitter stream, is it acceptable or bad manners to repost something a few times over the course of the day?
And could you address retweeting?
- January 20, 2011 at 10:14 AM
- Laura Campbell said...
- This comment has been removed by the author.
- January 20, 2011 at 10:14 AM
- Laura Campbell said...
Thanks for the post. At first, I honestly thought Twitter was absurd and refused to participate. It was bad enough I spent so much time on the soul sucking Facebook. Eventually, I wised up to all the good it could do for my writing career. My blog's traffic has picked up with the use of Facebook.
Now, as I see how often Twitter is used among friends and celebrities and with your post I feel more confident to take on Twitter. So, I'm going to give it a try. Cross your fingers!
- January 20, 2011 at 10:16 AM
- Terry Spear/Terry Lee Wilde said...
I link mine to Facebook, twittering only when I have something important I like to share--new release, new cover, contest, something fun, and often get comments from Facebook fans both on my blog, in emails, Facebook comments and personal Facebook messages. It's a great way to connect! Best of all, it's automatic.
- January 20, 2011 at 10:20 AM
- Ted Fox said...
Thanks for the tip on the @reply. I've only been on Twitter for about two months, and I had no idea that worked that way.
I resisted Tweeting for a long time, but I have to admit, for a humor writer, it is a good vehicle. Plus, I've set it up so my three most recent Tweets display automatically on my blog. It lets me update content multiple times a day.
And who doesn't want to hear my thoughts about eating Nerds for the first time in over a decade?
Wait, don't answer that.
- January 20, 2011 at 10:20 AM
- Ma. Elaine said...
this would really be a big help! thanks! =)
- January 20, 2011 at 10:21 AM
- Transparent Mama said...
Yes, hashtags Nathan? I have also linked my Twitter posts to Facebook so I can post at both from my phone. And I don't have a smartphone.
Oh, and how do you reply to someone?
- January 20, 2011 at 10:22 AM
Where do people find the time? The tweeting and retweeting and following and checking in to make sure to answer other's tweets to you.
Geez, I feel super guilty right now because I have to leave in an hour and I'm at the Bransford blog instead of stealing 5 minutes to work on my WIP. Not. Enough. Time... If someone can make more than 24 hours in a day, THAT I'll sign onto. Nathan?
- January 20, 2011 at 10:23 AM
- Wolf Hoelscher said...
Also don't underestimate the power of LinkedIn, specifically if your blog is business-related. I generate a lot of traffic from my connections there. You can easily connect your Tweets with LinkedIn or use HootSuite's "hootlet" feature to send out posts to all your social media accounts at once. Wow, I feel like a dork.
- January 20, 2011 at 10:25 AM
- Kissed by the Creator said...
Hey its how I found you, via Rachel G. and I've learned so much just lurking. So eventhough I don't tweet that much, it has benefited me GREATLY! Well said.
- January 20, 2011 at 10:26 AM
I got a blog a couple weeks ago, and told myself I would only post on it when I had something insightful and interesting that would better other people to say.
It has nothing in it.
I assume Twitter would follow the same route.
Everyday may be an adventure for me, but it doesn't mean other people want to tag along.
- January 20, 2011 at 10:26 AM
- Catherine Blakeney said...
You can also import twitter code onto a website or blog. I use my twitter account for live instant updates to the front page of my website. (Because of this, I try to avoid mundane things like "going to the grocery store.")
- January 20, 2011 at 10:27 AM
- Corinne O'Flynn said...
I'm no expert, but I attended a hashtag "event" and understood Twitter for the first time.
Example: You can sit in the "search" screen and search for, say... #askagent during the event time and see realtime questions being posed to agents by others, ending with the #askagent hashtag. You can ask a question addressed to nobody, but with the hashtag it will be seen and agents can reply to you. It is interesting. And you can always see the posts via search. I've also seen #YAlitchat do this too. Find other writers using #amwriting
Hashtags are also a way to add some snark to your post. #justsayin
- January 20, 2011 at 10:30 AM
- the Ape said...
I think if you want people to follow you on Twitter, you need to remember the "who cares?" question before you tweet. Unless you are funny or have an interesting angle, no one cares about how you are stuck in traffic or what you are eating.
Be generous and offer your followers something. Watch the complaining, too.
- January 20, 2011 at 10:33 AM
- T.N. Tobias said...
You can actually change your display name if you want to. I've done it several times.
- January 20, 2011 at 10:35 AM
- Nathan Bransford said...
Updated the post to include hashtags.
- January 20, 2011 at 10:36 AM
- sheribomb said...
Thanks for the great article, @nathanbransford! :) I love Twitter too.
I have one bone to pick: I'm not entirely sure it's bad manners to use someone's link without following them. I think accreditation with the username is enough, as long as it's clear how you found the link. For example, if I'm following the hashtag for a conference, and they're tweeting with that hashtag, I think it's okay to use their link without following them (especially if they're tweeting 100 times a day). Also, if I found the link through someone who retweeted it (who you do follow), I would accredit both usernames and be okay with it as long as I'm following one of them.
Re: hashtags: I wrote a little twitter guide once. Here's what I said about hashtags:
#Anything is a called a hashtag. Hashtags are used to label/tag tweets. Hashtags are often used comically to label the content of a tweet.
I'll also add that you can click on a hashtag to see what other people are saying with the same hashtag, so it's great for following conferences, TV shows, etc. from multiple points of view.
- January 20, 2011 at 10:36 AM
- Nathan Bransford said...
You can change your display name, but it's your username that's actually the more important one. You're really @username on Twitter.
You may be able to change it (I haven't tried), but I would still give it a lot of thought.
- January 20, 2011 at 10:37 AM
- SkepticHeretic said...
I don't think the @reply piece is correct...
You ONLY see @reply (such as @NathanBransford) if you follow both NATHAN and the person who wrote the @REPLY.
Thats why you see a lot of people repost what someone replied back to them with, so that their followers know what they're talking about.
HASHTAGS are used to find subjects in twitter and for trending (I think)
If you want #NathanBransford to trend you get a bunch (a few thousand should be good) people to tweet with #NathanBransford in the tweet and it will show up on Twitter trends.
- January 20, 2011 at 10:37 AM
- Nathan Bransford said...
Oh yeah, I agree, you don't have to follow someone whose link you used. I was just saying to follow Colson Whitehead because he's hilarious. I'll clarify that.
- January 20, 2011 at 10:38 AM
- Rebecca T. said...
Well, I had a whole brilliant explanation for hashtags, but I see that Nathan already added it.
I love Twitter and I love hashtags! It's my favorite procrastination tool.
- January 20, 2011 at 10:38 AM
- Renee Pace said...
#greatpostNathan. I liked your blog. I'm still learning twitter and how to use it and try to link it to my other writing but confess I'd rather write the book.
- January 20, 2011 at 10:40 AM
- Nathan Bransford said...
Thanks, I can see how I worded it wasn't totally clear. I amended it slightly.
- January 20, 2011 at 10:40 AM
- B.E.T. said...
Okay....this sir was educational. Thank you!!
- January 20, 2011 at 10:41 AM
- swampfox said...
Email, cell phones, texting, websites, blogs, YouTube, FaceBook, MySpace, (anything I forgot?) and now Twitting...!
There was a time when I thought PAGERS were something special!
I would say, nowadays, email and cell phones are pretty much mandatory. If you want exposure, then, websites and blogs are highly recommended. FaceBook and MySpace I would think are optional methods to advance your platform. YouTube? Depends on what you have to present...and now Twitter?
If I was 20 years younger I suppose. But I think this time, I'll pass. Doesn't mean I won't change my mind. I finally got a cell phone, after all.
- January 20, 2011 at 10:42 AM
- sheribomb said...
Nathan - Thanks for clarifying! I'll have to check out @colsonwhitehead :)
- January 20, 2011 at 10:45 AM
- Nathan Bransford said...
Updated to include retweeting
- January 20, 2011 at 10:45 AM
Useful, many thanks. What's trending?
- January 20, 2011 at 10:46 AM
- jpcabit said...
Hey hey all.
As far as interestingness goes, it doesn't have to be something as useful as "Great article on writing: [insertlinkhere]" although I do follow some of those links if they are interesting. But I must say that even if a post is irrelevant, if it's funny/amusing, then it's good in my book.
And cool beans about the @reply! I never knew that. Wondered how that worked out.
@jpcabit ;)
- January 20, 2011 at 10:46 AM
- Corinne O'Flynn said...
@Usernames can be changed. I have changed my @name twice on twitter. #beforeiknewbetter
- January 20, 2011 at 10:47 AM
- Nathan Bransford said...
ok thanks Corinne.
- January 20, 2011 at 10:48 AM
- sheribomb said...
Since Nathan says to leave Twitter tips, I wanted to add that you can download a twitter client rather than just using twitter on the website. This really helps if you manage more than one twitter account (such as your personal one and one for a professional blog). I use Tweetie on my Mac and the Twitter app on my iPhone. They're both great because I can tweet from multiple accounts without logging off and on again. Also, Tweetie will give me a notification if I have a new @reply or direct message on any of my accounts, which is very helpful for interacting with other twitter users. :)
- January 20, 2011 at 10:51 AM
- Dara said...
I don't really have anything useful to add...I've only recently been getting into it. But it's fun and I've connected with so many other writers through it.
- January 20, 2011 at 10:55 AM
- clindsay said...
Nathan -
You should probably explain how to use Tweetchat.com as well in order to better follow a hashtag.
For example, every Wednesday night at 9:00 PM, @Georgia_McBride hosts #YALitChat. Participants can log onto Tweetchat.com, enter the hashtag only once and then post and read every tweet by every use participating in the chat. It' a great tool!
(BTW? YA writers should join in that chat - it's wonderful!)
PS: You can easily change your username on Twitter. But I think it just confuses people.
- January 20, 2011 at 11:00 AM
- sheribomb said...
Okay, I'm revealing that I'm a crazy twitter person, but I have another thing to add re: retweets.
If you use the "new school" retweet feature, the retweet will only show up in the feed of people who are not following the user whose tweet you retweeted. This can be good so you don't annoy your followers, but if you specifically want people to know you like something, especially if it's by a popular user (such as @neilhimself or @wilw), you should use the "old school" retweet protocol.
Personally, I use "new school" retweet if I have nothing to add and "old school" retweet if I want to add a comment. :)
- January 20, 2011 at 11:00 AM
- Heidi said...
These are great tips. Thanks, Nathan!
Things I've noticed not to do:
Don't only retweet. If something is particularly funny, insightful, or interesting, then please share it with the people who might be missing out, but we want to see some original thoughts too.
Don't go on tweeting binges. I used to follow a few people who would wake up in the morning, send out forty tweets in the space of fifteen minutes, and then be silent for the rest of the day. It's annoying when your entire feed is filled with one person.
- January 20, 2011 at 11:08 AM
- Joseph L. Selby said...
If you use goo.gl as your URL shortener and you have a Google account, it will actually track (a la Google Analytics) how many times someone has followed your link.
- January 20, 2011 at 11:09 AM
- Corinne said...
Great tips. Might I make one addition?
When replying to someone, click on the arrow button. Do not just type in their name. Doing the former will allow other people to track the conversation. That way, if you say "I agree!" people will just need to click the Tweet to see what you agree with instead of going to the other person's feed and seeing one statement about cute kittens and another about how Snooki's book is a work of genius, leaving them to wonder which one, exactly, you're agreeing with.
- January 20, 2011 at 11:14 AM
- scott neumyer said...
Twitter has easily been the most beneficial thing for me both personally and professionally over the past few years. A great resource indeed.
- January 20, 2011 at 11:23 AM
- Danielle La Paglia said...
Great tips, Nathan.
I will say that I disagree on your Retweet preferences. If you hit Twitter's Retweet button, the tweet will not show up on lists that people follow. I almost exclusively view Twitter through my lists and NOT the main feed and those Retweets only show up in the main timeline. If you want people who follow you on a list you have to use the old school RT @blahdeblah in order for them to see it.
- January 20, 2011 at 11:37 AM
- danaalisonlevy said...
Hi Nathan-
Great post! Two things to add: first, if you are, for instance, a YA author and just starting the Twitter, the easiest thing to do is to ask one of your crit partners or writer friends or a forum buddy if they're on Twitter, then see who they follow. I added around 100 names of authors, agents, editors, etc., by just looking at the few folks I knew.
Second, I'd love to hear you weigh in on Tweetdeck vs. Tweetchat vs. other sites that make it easier to follow along.
- January 20, 2011 at 12:06 PM
the problem with the 'new school' way of retweeting is that those tweets sometimes don't show up if you're using a twitter program. for instance i have the google sidebar with a twitter ap on it and i don't see a single one of the new form of retweets. i have to check on my phone's ap or go to the original website.
- January 20, 2011 at 12:07 PM
- Tracy Hahn-Burkett said...
An addition to the point about Twitter clients: TweetDeck can make an unwieldy Twitter page far more manageable. It allows you to sort the people you follow into columns under headings you name (e.g., Writers, Business Contacts, Personal Friends). You can then catch up on one column at a time if you want--which makes it much easier to track entire conversations--and if you're reluctant to unfollow someone, you can remove them from a column without actually unfollowing him.
- January 20, 2011 at 12:09 PM
- Sarah Allen said...
Thanks for this! I've been using Twitter for a little over a year, now, and I've been using it with some success as a way of publicizing my blog. Some of the most intriguing writer-marketing type tweets I've seen quote directly from the book as a hook for people reading their tweets. Thanks for the great advice, best of luck!
- January 20, 2011 at 12:11 PM
- JohnO said...
I'd add three other bits of advice:
1) Take advantage of Twitter lists
In short: organize people you follow by list. E.g., Writers/editors/agents in one, news in another ... whatever. Very powerful tool.
2) Strongly consider moving to a third party social media app as soon as possible.
The native Twitter web interface the not nearly as robust as other interfaces like TweetDeck and HootSuite.
The latter, for example, allows you to set up three columns: your main feed, your mentions, and perhaps a list.
3) Find Twitter discussions.
Colleen touched on it. Here is another good list:
- January 20, 2011 at 12:13 PM
- Kristin Laughtin said...
I recently got a personal Twitter account just to bounce messages back and forth to a few of my friends, and I've found there's a lot more to Twitter than I had expected! I'm glad I can practice with this one for a while. I'd have driven everyone nuts if I had started a writing-related account and tried to gain followers without any idea what I was doing. This post is also very useful and confirmed some of the things I had suspected re: how the system works, so thanks!
- January 20, 2011 at 12:23 PM
- Kristin Lynn Thetford said...
Nathan - Thank you so much for this post! I just began using Twitter a few days ago, and what you wrote is extremely informative.
Thanks again!
- January 20, 2011 at 12:24 PM
- Nicole said...
In my experience, Twitter's been great for learning fascinating tidbits about others who essentially already have a name and following.
I haven't personally had much luck with it for making actual connections with people though. Seems like it would be one of the toughest social media venues to break into in a meaningful way without a presence elsewhere.
It's just kind of a nice bonus on top of other methods. Anybody else have insights on that theory?
- January 20, 2011 at 12:26 PM
- Kelly Bryson said...
I was just wondering how to shorten links ten minutes ago. Thanks, Nathan! Great info.
I'm on Twitter, but I mainly use it to lurk around the agents I'm thinking about querying. Not in a creepy way, but in "could we maybe work together?" kind of way. It's a lot more informal than blogs and websites, so sometimes you see a bit more of the "real" person and if they like to get drunk a lot or hate all the people that query them, or think all cats should die.
I'm not saying where I stand on those issues, although I will admit that my husband is allergic to cats, so cats in our house are taking their lives in their own paws.
- January 20, 2011 at 12:38 PM
- Ishta Mercurio said...
Ah - THANK YOU! You of the ever-helpful, ever-awesome blogging skillz! I have been thinking about joining Twitter, but had no idea of how to even begin. You just saved me hours of emailing and asking questions and muddling my way. You rock.
- January 20, 2011 at 12:59 PM
- Jenn Crowell said...
Couple tips I've learned:
1. Case studies have been done that show that bit.ly-shortened links are most often clicked on (as opposed to tinyurl or owl.ly ones, for instance).
2. Analytics have also shown that the best time to tweet (in terms of getting your tweet noticed/retweeted) is 4 pm on a Friday.
3. You can use a free online service called SocialOomph to schedule tweets for a particular time.
4. Be warned with the Twitter clients: many of the popular ones (like TweetDeck) don't allow you to change display font size, and all those columns make for HARD reading. (I've found that a really lightweight app called DestroyTwitter is the only one that lets you play with font sizes.)
5. There's a great guide to Twitter for writers on the Inkygirl (www.inkygirl.com) website.
Hope this helps!
- January 20, 2011 at 1:06 PM
- Anne R. Allen said...
What a great post. I wish I'd had some kind of guide like this when I started tweeting a year ago. I had to learn through trial and error. Lots of error. And Danielle and Ayla, thanks so much for the info on the new retweets.
I'd also like to second the comment about Tweet binging. I hate it when the whole thread is coming from one person. Don't be a Twitter hog.
And thanks to Colleen Lindsay for info on tweetchat.com. That will make following #chats much easier!
- January 20, 2011 at 1:11 PM
- Book Bird Dog said...
Am going to try using the hastags to read and send. Thanks.
- January 20, 2011 at 1:24 PM
- D.G. Hudson said...
Interesting information. Perhaps I'll use it someday, when I feel the need.
I tend to observe and assess where I really want to spend my time, and twitter doesn't show up on the radar yet.
My thoughts on this are posted on one of my blogs:
But thanks anyway, Nathan, for all the information you make available for your blog followers.
- January 20, 2011 at 1:29 PM
- Raquel Byrnes said...
Yup, found Twitter intimidating at first but a great tutorial PDF made everything easier to understand. I do swear by bit.ly for the customization alone.
Great post. very helpful.
Edge of Your Seat Romance
- January 20, 2011 at 1:50 PM
- Matthew Rush said...
I have to admit I still don't really get Twitter. I mean our Good Friend Tahereh made me sign up months ago, and I'll admit I had a blast the first few days, coming up with several (hopefully) clever #betterfirstlines and #zombieproverbs, but then it got old, fast.
I think my problem may be that I follow too many people. Still, though, the only time I had fun was when I sat there and watched it all day. I don't have time for that.
I know you wouldn't tout it to us if it wasn't worth it Nathan, so I suppose I will give it another try, but honestly I have two twitter acounts, one for writing/publishing and another for sports. I haven't checked either one in days.
- January 20, 2011 at 1:52 PM
- Diana said...
How much time would one need to devote to twitter to get the most out of it?
My personal preference is to check on things once a day, then move on to something else. Twitter and facebook don't seem to work well with that preference.
- January 20, 2011 at 1:53 PM
- Bryan Russell (Ink) said...
Whatfor is this "Twitter"? Where are the birds? Is there birds?
Also, Colson Whitehead is an absolutely wonderful novelist. The Intuitionist was brilliant.
- January 20, 2011 at 2:01 PM
- Jen Albin said...
Another great way to build your following list is to choose someone you like (say @nathanbransford) and look at who they are following.
You also might want to mention tweetchat and tweetdeckj
- January 20, 2011 at 2:06 PM
- Tahereh said...
this is BRILLIANT, nathan.
thank you.
- January 20, 2011 at 2:17 PM
- February Grace said...
My cat's funnier on Twitter than I will ever be...
I actually miss writing for Twitter and a few friend's Tweets specifically (and yours, of course, oh strong one with the Force) and this makes me long to go back. Can I tell you what drove me from Twitter faster than my cat toward a nip-filled mouse? (Or the Rancor toward a pig-guard at Jabba's palace?)
Twitter spam.
People who Tweet 10 times in a row and drive everyone else off your main page. Or people who only, ever, and always, Tweet about their book.
It gets old. Really. Fast.
You've almost lured me back though. You, and Hillary Jacques, I really miss her Tweets.
Friends don't let friends Tweet spam...let alone for the love of Doug(las Adams) reTweet it.
Another fabulous post. I hope you got the hang of today (being it's a Thursday, I'm still not really...um, hanging yet.)
- January 20, 2011 at 2:27 PM
- Gregory K. said...
Great stuff, Nathan. I want to second Colleen's note about joining in on Twitter chats. Debbie Ohi (@inkyelbows) has a great post about chats that cover the various ways to participate AND the chats themselves: Twitter Writer Chats. (I am biased, but I think all should join #kidlitchat on Tuesdays as well as #YALitchat on Wednesdays and and and!).
The chats and their transcripts are also great places to find folks to follow.
Another tip is to either set Twitter up to notify you when you get new followers OR to check your follower list from time to time to see who you might want to follow.
And finally... with clients like Tweetdeck or HootSuite, you can set up columns based on interests or keywords. I have one for "middle grade review" which shows me any tweet mentioning those three words, for instance. It's a great way to filter information and not get overwhelmed by tweets.
- January 20, 2011 at 2:44 PM
- T. Anne said...
Thanx for the twitter tutorial! I find it more valuable than facebook as far as writers/agents/publishers go, but that's JMHO.
- January 20, 2011 at 2:50 PM
- Mira said...
This is so helpful. I love that you're explaining the basics, like re-tweeting and @ and hashtags. It's like this whole other language for those of us not yet involved - so thank you.
I can get addicted to anything, and I just can't fit another addiction on my plate, not if I'm also going to do things like work and have a paycheck, so I'm holding off on Twitter. It looks like too much fun! I enjoy reading some folks, though, and someday, I'll wade in. I'll revisit this post when I do.
- January 20, 2011 at 2:58 PM
- Kelli said...
While this isn't true everywhere, here in Little Rock, we have an amazing local twitter community. We hold Tweetups (and hashtag all events #LRTweetup)- And not, a tweetup is not a time where everyone gets together and tweets, we get actual face time together. The relationships (both personal and business) that have formed have been great.
If you're new to twitter see if your town has an existing community, it's a great way to plug in. And finding that community could be as easy as checking out other locals lists.
- January 20, 2011 at 2:59 PM
- lexcade said...
i was incredibly skeptical of twitter in the beginning, and it took me a LOOOONG time to get over my skepticism. i took the plunge initially to follow Terrell Owens when he was in talks with the Bengals the first time. and then i started tweeting, following agents and other writers, and now it's where i spend way too much of my time :-/ but i've learned an incredible amount about writing via twitter. a few authors and agents post really REALLY helpful links.
- January 20, 2011 at 3:22 PM
- twittertales said...
I tell twitter stories, which is hard work but great for buzz. I also wrote a how-to guide at http://twittertales.wordpress.com/2011/01/04/102-write-a-twitter-tale/
- January 20, 2011 at 4:28 PM
- Lisa Yarde said...
I still find some aspects of Twitter to be complete nonsense, but the benefit of it is truly in following and making new connections. There are people who I'd be SO scared to speak to in public, but Twitter has somehow leveled the field and made the communication less intimidating.
- January 20, 2011 at 4:30 PM
- Lydia Sharp said...
Check out @NathanBransford's excellent post about The Twitter. [insert url here] #stuffyoushouldknow
thx! RT @lydia_sharp: Check out @NathanBransford's excellent post about The Twitter. [insert url here] #stuffyoushouldknow
@crazywriterchick You're welcome. :)
- January 20, 2011 at 4:33 PM
- Nick Lewandowski said...
Twitter is also great if you like to keep up with breaking news stories. Following an outlet like BBC World will give you a succinct list of headlines you can skim in a hurry for what interests you.
Following specific journalists can also be very interesting. For example I follow a couple guys in Cairo who were very diligent in tweeting as they covered the Alexandria church bombing and resulting protests, which gave a very unique and yet easily digestible perspective of events as they unfolded in real time.
- January 20, 2011 at 6:07 PM
- Meredith said...
Awe! That makes me miss Twitter! I use to be such an expert but then... I just up and left it all. I miss all the friends that I made from all over the world!
Great post!
- January 20, 2011 at 6:08 PM
- Munk said...
tweet and retweet were sitting on a fence, tweet fell off... #Justsayin
- January 20, 2011 at 6:19 PM
- Luxieryder said...
Don't forget to use the search function. I search on my name every few days and find new reviews etc that google alert and searches don't always pick up.
- January 20, 2011 at 6:37 PM
- Margo Gremmler said...
Another bit.ly fan here...
Besides the super-easy customization, you can't ignore the huge trackability and metrics advantages. Take any bit.ly link and add "+" to the end of the web address, and you'll see a whole screen of stats about the link! (Maybe it's just me, but metrics seem to inspire evil laughter: mwa-ha-ha-ha!)
Enjoy :)
- January 20, 2011 at 6:49 PM
- Susan Kaye Quinn said...
I just recently moved you from my "agents" list to my "writer-friends" list. ;)
- January 20, 2011 at 7:50 PM
- Carol Riggs said...
Wow, a Twitter Tutorial! Hmm, doesn't sound so bad (I always said Never). I certainly didn't want to join just to get lost in the annoying technology of it and have NO idea how to do it right. I'll keep it on the back burner now. You have a partial convert here. :)
- January 20, 2011 at 7:51 PM
One of the most difficult things is how to get followers. There's a certain way to do it and not everyone understands. In other words, if you don't have something someone wants, like being a literary agent who may or may not be able to open the gates for you, the odds are no one's going to follow you...ever. So you have to be creative in other ways.
- January 20, 2011 at 8:34 PM
I use twitter to follow people who are already successful in industries I want to better understand. When I was writing my book, I found your website and learned much about publishing.(Forever grateful!) I sold that project and as revisions near completion (A year later, thank you) I'm considering what I want to work on next. I'm particularly interested in TV and Film, so I follow writers working in those mediums. Twitter seems like a modern day solution to an age old problem--the old boys' network. Said another way, I get to be a fly on the wall. And if I come up with something clever or meaningful to add, all I have to do is hit reply. I've made connections with people all over the country. I don't know if ultimately this will help with book sales or increase name recognition, but besides the time investment--it's FREE!
And another thing, my editor highly recommended I get on twitter and join the community of my 'target audience'. Since those are the people who care about the things most meaningful to me, it's a pleasant no-brainer. As always, thank you.
- January 20, 2011 at 8:57 PM
Okay, I'm going to comment anonymously simply because I don't want to put my name to my ignorance. But here's my question: do you have to use texting on your cell phone to tweet? Is there a way to use Twitter without cell texting? Cause I don't text, but I'm going to a writers conference soon, and if having a cell phone to Tweet on will be advantageous during the conference, I'll go get one tomorrow.
- January 20, 2011 at 9:25 PM
- Kristi Helvig said...
Awesome post. All I have to say is that I joined Twitter this year, and if I can do it, anyone can. I love bit.ly and Tweetdeck. :)
- January 20, 2011 at 10:54 PM
- Pen and Ink said...
I use TinyURL http://tinyurl.com/
To me, the most amazing this was following Astronaut Mike who was tweeting from space. Hello Future. I love you
- January 21, 2011 at 2:52 AM
- wendy said...
Seriously awesome. Thank you so much. I have a twitter acct, but I just dance around the peripheral of its many uses.
Great information - thanks Nathan. This will come in handy. And thank you for coming in with more info on the hashtags :)
Don't like the new twitter set up as much as the old as now the backgrounds are hidden behind the top layer of info. Many twitterers had backgrounds that showcased their talents or interests and which said a lot about them.
- January 21, 2011 at 4:38 AM
- Margaret Adams said...
Twitter Tactics
I write a regular Follow Friday post on my blog to complement the Follow Friday tweet that I also write.
I started doing this because I wanted to explain to my followers why I follow people on Twitter.
It's a very popular blog post series. Customers and others tell me they like to know why I follow people on Twitter.
It's an approach that helps to get Twitter conversations going, too.
- January 21, 2011 at 7:13 AM
- Teresa said...
I am a HUGE twitter fan. For writers this is the place to be - not Facebook (I think is lame). Hashtags in the search box: #pubtips, put this in and get the stream of publishing tips from industry professionals. Find publishers and agents to follow. #askagent - agents let you ask questions - not query or pitch them, find out what's in, what's not.
#amwriting - connect with other writers.
Hashtags are used to IM a specific topic from anyone who adds that to the post.
There are so many to choose from, you'll get more writing tips the more people you follow. I'm @ http://twitter.com/TeresaLWatts if you'd like to chat about writing
- January 21, 2011 at 10:03 AM
- Kelli said...
Anon Question-
If you have a smart phone, just download an app, Twitter for iPhone is great, I've also used Tweetdeck and Echophone. Also there are BB apps, but I'm not familiar with them.
If you have a non-smart phone, I think texting might be the only way. (someone feel free to clarify this if I'm wrong).
- January 21, 2011 at 10:16 AM
- Ironic Mom said...
Beyond making connections, I believe Twitter can help your writing. First of all, it makes me account for every word I use. I often will tighten (i.e. edit) a tweet before launching it. Twitter also helps me to notice moments.
I have made powerful connections and friends.
Two tips:
(1)Use proper spelling as much as possible. Abbrev'g evry wd is annoy'g.
(2) If you have a large following, you can also develop private lists of your favourite tweeps. This helps you to keep in contact with those you care the most without offending anyone.
Finally, two of my writing friends and I tweet daily under the hastag #wordbitches. We are snarky women who try to write 500+ words per day and report to each other. It's an all year NaNoWriMo for underachievers.
Happy Tweeting, everyone. Look for me @Ironic_Mom
- January 21, 2011 at 10:58 AM
- Margo Gremmler said...
You don't have to use a smartphone at all – you can tweet from a browser or a laptop/desktop app. Just check out twitter.com in a browser. If you want a dedicated twitter app, a great one is Tweetdeck.
- January 21, 2011 at 11:45 AM
- Donna said...
I'm a lot more ignorant as to how Twitter works than this post can address. I don't really get it.
So, correct me if I'm wrong... I follow someone and those tweets start arriving... where? To my phone? Is this how most people use Twitter? (Personally, I prefer to have a relief from the electronic deluge, not let it follow me everywhere.)
I realize there's a Twitter site you can visit to check a person's tweets, but I don't find this particularly convenient or appealing.
So is Twitter the reason that I'm now surrounded by people staring at little screens on my commute every day? On the positive side, being forced to overhear personal phone conversations seems to have dwindled to almost never, so I guess that's a reason to be grateful. Thanks, Twitter.
- January 21, 2011 at 11:52 AM
- Chase March said...
- This comment has been removed by the author.
- January 21, 2011 at 12:27 PM
- Chase March said...
Sometimes 140 characters is not enough.
You can divide your thought into two or more tweets by doing this.
(1/2) Today I .....
(2/2) That's why ....
Just type the entire comment in and then highlight part 1 of 2. Copy it and then delete it.
Now post part 2/2 that you have on the screen.
You can now paste the first part of the message and tweet it.
This way when someone looks at the timeline, they can read the entire message in order.
I find this to be a very handy way to tweet a message that simply won't fit in the small space alloted to us.
- January 21, 2011 at 12:30 PM
- Liz said...
Thought I knew Twitter, but learned something new. Thanks!
- January 21, 2011 at 1:02 PM
- CricketB said...
The new school retweet keeps the old time, so if you retweet something from yesterday it shows way back in the history rather than as something new. Your friends don't actually see it.
- January 21, 2011 at 4:30 PM
- John Jack said...
I've been kicking around what it is about Twitter that I need to understand in order to come to terms with. What does it mean to the cultural zeitgeist?
Mass culture wee tween twiter speak?
Sound bite ad hominem rhetoric?
Message story boarding, sort of a linguistic water boarding torture?
Okay. I get it now. Twitter will, is, influencing language. With only 140 glyphs upon which to express a complete thought compressing language is bound to happen. It's already apparent in text messaging and spreading into the culture. Language will change even more than it has from the Internet. Maybe it will change so much that Twitter speak becomes its own language and nonnative speakers will not understand and will need intepreters.
- January 21, 2011 at 6:41 PM
- Beth said...
So if you have chosen to protect your tweets and you do an @ response to someone you follow but who doesn't follow you, can he/she see your message?
- January 21, 2011 at 8:00 PM
- Caitlin said...
I've been on social media sites for just about ten years now and yet I've still been a little afraid to take the plunge into Twitter! I've been planning on making the leap soon, though, and I'll definitely be referencing this blog while I'm getting used to it. Thanks Nathan!
- January 22, 2011 at 8:49 PM
Great post Nathan. I think Twitter is a great resource for writers. Why? Bc for one, it makes the wordiest writers, week, less wordy. Short & sweet & to the point, in 140 char or less. Two, it helps you connect with other writers & agents, and for those writers trying to be published, the access to #askagent or #yalitchat or other similar real-time chats is awesome. Plus, Twitter is just fun.
Quick question: is there an etiquette thing about following people? Specifically, if they follow you, are you expected to follow them back? Just curious. Thanks!
- January 23, 2011 at 8:31 PM
I meant, "it makes the wordiest writers, well, less wordy."
Not week.
Curse the iPad's suggestive typing. Oh, and #typingtoofast.
- January 24, 2011 at 6:21 AM
- Lucinda Bilya said...
Thanks for the great information.
I changed my Twitter name and username today without a hitch. Thanks for the advice on that.
Changing the names is as easy as going into the profile of your account and change it.
I have a question for you, Nathan. Where can I get one of those blue "t"s with the link to my twitter account so I can stick it to my website? (like what you have)
I also wanted to attach a "B" for the google blog.
I build my webpage with basic html...so...where do I find the code to link them together?
Anyone have info...I sure appreciate it.
word ver: rebot (a robot's twin)
- January 26, 2011 at 10:34 PM
- Katie said...
I resisted Twitter for years. "No one really cares if I sneeze," I always argued. But in the name of networking, I finally broke down and got one... yesterday.
Thanks for the information about hashtags; they confused me. I'm sure the link shortener will come in handy shortly (pun intended).
<>< Katie
- January 31, 2011 at 3:35 PM
- Jessica said...
What about Twitter Etiquette? I mention this because there are a few things that can make me unfollow someone.
For example! @Replies are FABULOUS. I like @replies! But man, it is REALLY annoying when my Twitter stream is nothing but a long conversation between two people. If you are having a conversation, please, for the love of all things good, switch to DMs or a chat program! If a mutual friend has to scroll down pages to see anything other than your conversation, that is not a nice thing.
Also, retweet abuse is not a nice thing. Remember that your followers are following you because they want to see what YOU have to say... not to see what everyone you follow is saying. I have unfollowed people before because their stream was more retweets than their own tweets (and they used old-school retweeting exclusively, so I couldn't block the retweets).
- February 9, 2011 at 8:25 PM
- Jeff Hopp said...
Hash tags can be a great way to keep up on a live event. Sometimes when I can't watch the game I use Twitter to keep up on the action.
- February 26, 2011 at 2:12 PM
Sierra, if you're out there, I hear you. (Of course, that doesn't mean I'll talk back...) ;-)
To be honest, Twitter frightens me. People have compared it to a cocktail party (hm, joke in there somewhere...?), but I liken it more to an open mic/poetry slam or *gasp* public speaking. I actually changed my college major to avoid taking a rhetoric course -- and not surprisingly, substituted an English elective in its stead.
Is it against the rules of "netiquette" to have someone write all your tweets/blog/etc. for you, i.e. a freelance copywriter you hire as part of your PR team? Or is the whole point of this social stuff exactly what it says on the label, to get to know the people behind the keyboard?
Word verification: avversp. Sounds like "averse," which is exactly what I am to the whole social media thing. (Not so much the "media" but the "social" part of it.) :-(
P.S. Pardon if I sound a bit uninitiated, but who is this Mr. Whitehead of whom you speak -- er, tweet? ;-)
- August 18, 2011 at 1:47 AM
hi Nathan,
Ok thanks for your help on the @replies issue bu could you clarify this query please - which is related.
If i click the REPLY link to someone's TWEET and send in a reply, I do not see my tweet in the list of replies listed below their original Tweet. I can see other people's replies but not mine -- why is this?
- January 3, 2012 at 2:48 PM
- Rick Crawford said...
I've got to day it -- I hate Twitter. I have an account but it is hard to get my head around. Maybe I need to read your article a few more times because twitter is crucial if you blog.
- July 16, 2012 at 12:44 AM
- nospin_43 said...
why with tweets from the same person can I sometimes use the reply function and other tweets it doesn't work.
today there were 2 consecutive tweets by him on one reply worked on the other it didn't?
- February 13, 2013 at 2:26 PM