In a response to Microsoft watcher Todd Bishop’s post saying  Microsoft should buy Twitter, Mary Jo-Foley wrote Microsoft Shouldn’t Buy Twitter saying:

…But I’d argue Microsoft could simply do a Twitter clone — the same way that it has built its own Facebook-notification-like news stream into Windows Live — and reap similar results. In fact, the Softies are hinting they’ve already been experimenting with adding Twitter-like functionality to its business software (possibly via SharePoint). I’d bet the Xbox and maybe the Pink/Danger mobile teams have been looking at doing their own Twitter-like services too.

Seriously?! Microsoft could simply clone Twitter?!

Sure, Microsoft certainly has some brilliant tech folks that can surely implement or clone anything. It also has the resources to do that.
And yet, its mostly following the pack with its online offering pretty stagnant. Last time it tried anything like that was Live Home with its Facebook\FriendFeed like functionality and that’s pretty much dead…
It can certainly clone Twitter, probably even do a better job at it than the original, but will anyone bother using it?

Twitter has a fast growing, huge and vibrant community. Its also a well known brand name that’s getting a huge amount of media attention right now.
It survived its own fail whales, upgrade owls and all sorts of other nasty service downtimes simply because no one else can beat that…
You can clone technology but you can’t clone a community and brand strength…

Tags: Microsoft, MSFT, Twitter

(via Dor)

Tags: Humor, Twitter

Twitter is down again. Just ask http://www.istwitterdown.com/ …

It’s funny that we’re starting to take this for granted…

Tags: Twitter

From the guys at Common Craft:

Via Craig’s…

Tags: Twitter

I’ve been using Twitter quite extensively lately and I received some feedback (from my Facebook friend. my Twitter is automatically syndicated to my Facebook status) asking what’s Twitter\Twittering.

Twitter is a great way to communicate simple messages to a group of people who “follow you”. Initially, the service aimed to to answer the question “What are you doing now?” with a  short status message limited to 140 characters.
However, as its adoption became wider users found out it can be used for various other purposes – making new friends, learning of new events, getting updates as events take place…

So, if you want to make the best of this medium you should consider following these few simple rules:

• Follow Your Followers – That’s like making friends in any other social site. Twitter is not just about sending updates to your audience. You can also get feedback and engage in a conversation (of some sort). You need to follow your followers to be able to get their responses…
• Speak Up (Engage in a Conversation) - Participation is the key to letting people know you’re there, what you’re about.
• Ask (Initiate Conversation) – Ask questions. Listen to responses. Learn!
  From “Are comments working properly on my site?” to “Is this marketing approach appealing?”…  you’re followers probably have valuable input they can provide if you let them.

Got some other TwitterEthics to add?

Tags: Social Web, Twitter