Using Twitter to find the answers
Error Message's can be so cryptic?
A lot of people just don’t get Twitter and if you’re one of those people I would like to introduce you to the concept of using Twitter as a Search Engine. Most of us have our favorite Search Engine’s Toolbar and home page somewhere nestled in our Internet Browser, but sometimes it fails us. Recently I was greeted to the Error message that opens this post when trying to launch Microsoft Outlook, as you can see it wasn’t very informative. So I rebooted the PC and the Error still persisted even after running a repair on Microsoft Office.
I then turned to the Internet and Microsoft’s Bing search engine figuring that since this was a Microsoft program it might have an advantage over Google, but nothing specific came up. Well that makes some sense since the error wasn’t very specific either. I then figured out that this happened after one of the dreaded Tuesday Microsoft updates, so on a hunch I fired up TweetDeck (The Application I use to make sense of Twitter) and searched the exact message. Well I may have been lucky, but I got a few hits and solved the problem fairly quickly.
This is what is known in the Industry as crowdsourcing which is defined as using the general public to do research or other work. This was a relevant search considering that if my suspicion was correct and this error was caused by a Microsoft update other people would be having the same issue. Search Engines take time to index lesser known sites, but Twitter is instantaneous, so if it is something common you can find it right away.
You don’t need a Twitter client like TweetDeck to search Twitter, just go to the website and type in your search and it will show results similar to a standard Search Engine. So even if you aren’t interested in Tweeting about your daily life you can still use Twitter to help you find quick answers to an immediate problem. So when you can’t find the answer with a Search Engine give Twitter a shot and let us know if you were able to find it.
We are always looking for time saving tips so let us know what gets you through your day when Working From the Basement.
WFTB- Michael Lawson
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Michael-
It is interesting what a powerful tool Twitter has become. I use it for all kinds of research as I prepare to meet with new clients, projects for existing clients and general curiosity. It can quickly give you a pulse check on your clients brands and industry.
Your write up is another excellent example of the power of twitter and crowdsourcing.
Another underutilized function of Twitter is getting feedback from your peers, colleagues, and potential clients. Victor @mycaricaturecom is great at this, and it’s something I hadn’t thought about until I saw him do it. Brilliant idea – when he’s trying to figure out if his design is capturing what he intended, he tweets a link to it and asks for feedback. Great way to get honest, direct information from your target audience, and at the same time promote awareness about your superpower.
Using Twitter this way – to get information, rather than to sell – is really what I think Web 2.0 is all about. It’s about sharing what you have, which then drives people who want to buy what you sell to you, rather than you needing to find them.
I use Twitter in a similar way on the rare occasion my web host (1and1) has server issues. It is a far faster way to get real-time information.
All this said, with certain trends, and the fact that Apple launched new products today, Twitter has been downright wonky today.
You might want to clarify a bit on Twitter client apps. I make no endorsements but some are better than others, and sometimes its easier just to fire up a browser. I do use Twitterific on the iPhone and my desktop.
Edward
Pretty funny check this out http://www.michaellawson.com/?p=207 I noticed that there is also a (1and1) twitter account now @1and1pr. I agree about using the browser for quick searches and that Twitter and all the clients are a bit wonky, but you need them to make sense of all the information coming in.
Katie and Diana thanks for the comments and I agree Twitter is a powerful platform, just wish it was more stable. I think a lot of good uses are going to come from it and similiar services in the future.
Great tip re: 1and1. Thanks, Michael.
I beta tested for 1and1 a lot of people complain about them, but my VPS rarely goes down, my mail on their shared server is another matter that usually has a major meltdown at least twice a year. This blog is hosted on a VPS 2 server account and so far I’ve not had a single problem.
I just want to go on the record as saying, “I have no idea what the heck 1and1 is.” I’m not actually a tech geek; I just impersonate one to get cooler friends. For the record. Because I know everyone except Mr. Odell and Mr. Lawson is thinking it. It hurt my brain when you added “pr” to the end, making it “@1and1pr.” Oh, ouch…ouch…
1and1.com is the hosting provider, @1and1pr is their public relations Twitter account. On another note the cooler friend thing seems to be working out…
@KSL has this great way of talking about the Twitter search function. She talks about Twitter being a hammer with the search function acting as the claw side of the hammer, prying out information. It’s a visual I think will stick with a person as a descriptor.
Definitely, Tia. Great metaphor. There’s really so much we can do with this stuff, once people quiet down and stop trying to hard sell each other. The future of this stuff is sharing, using these tools to connect and help one another.
I’ve met some interesting people on Twitter and because of Twitter (Tia being a case in point). facebook seems to be the place for people you already know and linked in is for business. Twitter acts like a big meeting place where you can meet people from introduction through common interests or recommendations. It really isn’t like any other social platform because anomity is built in and engagement is optional.