As the world goes Twitter crazy, so the micro-blogging site is in danger of overloading its users with information. Fortunately, there are hundreds of tools out there that help you sort the tweets from the chaff. At twitdom.com you will find around 700 applications and sites devoted to refining the Twitter experience. Here are 10 of the Times Online’s favourites.
What is Twitter?
Twitter is a free social networking and micro-blogging service that enables its users to send and read other users’ updates known as tweets. Tweets are text-based posts of up to 140 characters in length which are displayed on the user’s profile page and delivered to other users who have subscribed to them.
1. Twittervision
A map of the world, which not only displays tweets, but shows you where they’re coming from.
2. Twitter job search
Searches only for employment ads, mostly posted by recruitment agencies.
3. Twitscoop
Live monitoring of the hottest search terms on Twitter.
4. Twitterholic
The Top of the Pops chart countdown of the Twitter universe. At number 1 this week, it’s CNN (897,969 followers). Top-ranked Brits are (gulp) Coldplay, at number 15, with 506,210 followers.
5. Tweetstats
Takes your Twittering for the last week, including posts, replies and timeline, and turns them into a lovely graph.
6. Tweet trip
Going away? Let people know where and when you’re going, and you can arrange to meet fellow Twitterers at your destination.
7. CoTweet
Now in beta, this is a tool for corporate Twitter users, which allows multiple employees to tweet from the same Twitter account.
8. Tweet Deck
Once you get the hang of Twitter you’ll yearn for a tool like this, which allows you to monitor all activity on your Twitter account without a single click-through.
9. Geo Follow
Get in touch with nearby Twitterers via this site, which organises users by location. Popular with young professionals.
10. Twitter Grader
So, you think you’re doing well on Twitter? Find out how you really measure up with this ruthless measuring and grading website.
