Twitter, BigBlueBall and an opportunity for some custom programming

[Jeff]

There is a lot of buzz lately about Twitter. It's a website that integrates with IM and SMS to allow short text messages describing what you're doing right now. It's interesting technology, and I'm using it myself trying to sort out what it's all about.

Some sites are using it to communicate to their fans -- giving system updates, for example. Twitter users can choose who they want to "follow" and receive updates from, and where they receive them -- web only, IM or SMS.

I suggest you check it out and play around with it. Add me as a friend. Add others such as Leo Laporte, Robert Scoble or Jason Calacanis. Also, BigBlueBall members Shifter and Tigerblade are fellow Twitterers.

You can use Twitter from your mobile phone or IM, from the web, or with a third-party application. I like Twitteroo for Windows. There is also a WLM add-on called Twessenger that will update your WLM display message with your latest Twitter update.

Twitter has a simple API that encourages creative code projects. Here's where the opportunity lies...

Got a creative idea for tying BigBlueBall with Twitter? Let's here it and see what we can come up with. Here are a just a few ideas:

• Use the BigBlueBall news feed to serve IM news via Twitter.
• Create a Twitter account for posting updates on system status (used only when there is a problem with the website -- upgrades or other downtime). Here's an example for Flickr status.
• Provide a link between Twitter and the #bigblueball IRC channel
• Your ideas here

Do you have skills? Code skills, that is? Let's see what you've got.

[sarahtowny]

I have noticed to that the BBC are even using it to add feeds for news articles.

If they can why not BBB!

It's a bit slow at the moment as twitter has become the craze but sure why not use it for a feed for the bbb news feeds. Or even our public announcements.

Fantastic idea!

[sarahtowny]

ohh as a after thought any new podcasts as well!

[PolarBearNPR]

Originally Posted by sarahtowny

ohh as a after thought any new podcasts as well!

Ooooo - someone's been sent a *nudge*

[Jeff]

I'm a little disappointed that few people have expressed an interest in this.

[Tigerblade]

i think it's more that it's harder to think of a way that BBB could use Twitter. I've been "using" Twitter for a little less than a week, and I'm having trouble keeping interest in it. I don't know that Twitter would be that useful for a forum like this, when it's designed as more of a personal update thing.

If BBB wants to update people, that's what regular RSS feeds are for, no?

[Jeff]

Originally Posted by Tigerblade

i think it's more that it's harder to think of a way that BBB could use Twitter. I've been "using" Twitter for a little less than a week, and I'm having trouble keeping interest in it. I don't know that Twitter would be that useful for a forum like this, when it's designed as more of a personal update thing.

If BBB wants to update people, that's what regular RSS feeds are for, no?

Very true, but I posted several examples of websites that ARE using Twitter. And because the user can choose where to receive the updates (via web, IM or SMS) they have more choice that they typical RSS reader.

Here's a couple examples. Let's say we created a BigBlueBalll status service. It could send updates if the site was down (because Twitter is independent of our own servers). It could send a daily update of new posts ("xxx new posts in the past 24 hours..."). It could announce milestones ("BigBlueBall just passed 50,000 members"). Or even more valuable, it could post IM network status issues ("The WLM network is down. Visit BigBlueBall for details.").

Another example, create a bot that updates Twitter with IRC activity ("Sami joined #bigblueball"). It could show how many people were in #bigblueball, or maybe even the conversations? You could "watch" IRC from your cell phone.

[Jeff]

I just ran across a great article: the Newbie's Guide to Twitter.

[Tigerblade]

And because the user can choose where to receive the updates (via web, IM or SMS) they have more choice that they typical RSS reader

I suppose.

Let's say we created a BigBlueBall status service. It could send updates if the site was down

Good idea. I suppose you mean it could send updates as you're working to get the site back up, because a quick visit to the site itself would reveal that the site is in fact down. A twitter stream could potentially be a good way to leave periodic updates on how you're doing getting it back up and running -- 'almost finished, hang on' or 'still dont know whats wrong' -- so we know how things are progressing.

It could send a daily update of new posts

Meh. I love BBB, but I don't know that I really need to be updated on that sort of information. I know it was just an example... I'm just sayin'.

It could announce milestones

This one I can get behind. That could be interesting, although how often would something worthwhile (like 50,000 members, or whatever other milestones happen) happen?

it could post IM network status issues

I also like this one, but don't people already flock to the site in droves when a network goes down? I suppose any additional exposure is good exposure, so I'll agree with this idea too.

create a bot that updates Twitter with IRC activity

Ooh, I think of all the ideas, I like this one most. Not to say that I'd be watching IRC from my cellphone (data rates are just too high) but it could be interesting if I have my IM set to receive updates. which reminds me... I haven't been in the channel for a while.


Meh. Like I said, it's just hard for me to sustain interest in Twitter. And I'm not the only one.

[MrEggsalad]

Personally, I am getting sick of seeing Twitter all over the place, but I won't rant here about it, that's what my blog is for.

However, some of your suggestions such as BBB downtime, and like alerting people "WLM Is Down" could be VERY useful. I think that's probably a good use for it.

IRC stuff, I think it would be almost too much effort for no real advantage for us other than bunches of odd people joining our IRC chat room (which can get annoying).

Milestones of BBB could be neat as well, I think if twitter was used for more things like this, it would be neat to see the status of various sites.

Anyways, that's my two cents.