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Twitter 101: Tips and Tricks

by Terrence O'Brien on March 26, 2009 at 01:59 PM


What else can I use Twitter for?

Twitter is great for posting the daily ins and outs of your life, and keeping up with your comedian friends' (or actual comedians') ramblings, but Twitter really shows its usefulness when you venture beyond the basic messaging functionality. Dan York has detailed how to use Twitter as a "virtual water cooler" (for those of us who don't spend most of their days in an actual office), how to draw on the Twitter masses as a source of information (such as how to fix a broken gadget or the best places for sushi in Las Vegas), and how to use it to stay on top of current events (like the Presidential Inauguration or the Oscars).

We've also seen how Twitter can be a source of breaking news. If you're on the Twitter Web site, you can use keywords in the search field at the top to find real-time results and trends. You can search by tweeting with '#tags.' Essentially, you add the '#' symbol in front of a keyword topic and send it out (for example, "#WBC," if you're looking for info on the World Baseball Classic) and you'll get a list of all the tweets that match that tag (it's also a great way to categorize your own tweets on a subject). While you can use the search box to look for the occurrence of words in someone's tweet, #tags are better for quickly categorizing updates, tracking a topic, and finding new people to follow. For that reason, we suggest using them in your own tweets.

You can also use tools like TwitterFall or Tweetdeck to automatically watch for certain tags or trends. This means that you don't have to luck into an update and can instead get up-to-the-minute tweets about any topic you want. You can also get updates from traditional news sources like CNN or the BBC. This is really just scratching the surface. Twitter can also track packages, set alarms, and even let you keep a to-do list. You can even plan a trip to London with it. Twitter is as useful as you make it.


Celebrities on Twitter

    Recently, media personalities have taken to celebrity Twitterers like fat kids to the neighborhood ice cream truck. But don't be fooled, dear readers. We here at Switched are the fattest on the block. So, without further ado, we present to you the most ridiculous, significant, misspelled and/or out-of-context tweets by the most recognizable folks we could find. Enjoy.

    Shaquille O'Neal
    "I'm goin to the alamo tomorro to get one of those daniel boone squirrel tail hats, I'm n san antonio, in case u didn't kno were the alamo is"

    Getty

    Tina Fey
    "I don't know why I even bother chewing corn anymore."

    Getty

    Ashton Kutcher
    "There's nothing cool about being a pimp. Pimp = Slave Owner"

    Getty

    Britney Spears
    "Britney went to Jerry's Deli last night for after shopping at Target. She had a black and white milkshake with dinner. Lauren"

    Getty

    John Tesh
    "JT is shopping with women. I need a guy film."

    Getty

    Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz
    "When I'm asleep on the inside only you get my acid washed mind."

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    President Barack Obama
    "We just made history. All of this happened because you gave your time, talent and passion. All of this happened because of you. Thanks"

    Getty

    Senator John McCain
    "YEs!! I am twittering on my blackberry but not without a little help!"

    Getty

    John Cleese
    "Thinking about tooth decay..."

    Getty



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