Twitter in the Operating Room
Twitter sounds like a silly idea. I once ridiculed Twitter in front of a room full of people. One month later, I became an avid user myself. What is Twitter, and why would surgeons use it in the middle of an operation?
What Is Twitter?
I’m a Twitter user and any description I write would sound inadequate and bland. The best way for you to understand Twitter is to sign up for an account (at http://twitter.com) and follow a few users. Don’t worry about posting your own messages unless you feel the need. It’s okay to listen for awhile.
Here are a few feeds to start you off:
- http://twitter.com/CNN – For breaking news.
- http://twitter.com/USAToday – More breaking news.
- http://twitter.com/DellOutlet – One of several Dell Twitter feeds.
- http://twitter.com/RayHightower – Author of this article.
Almost all of the major news sources have Twitter feeds.
Why I Use Twitter
Twitter is one of the best ways for me to stay up-to-date on happenings in the software development community. At the same time, I track investments, global news, science, and entrepreneurship. You will develop your own Twitter habits over time.
2 Comments
Fran JeanesMarch 9, 2009
Twitter is a great way to keep up with friends, news etc as well as being a mass marketing tool. I don’t use it to track much but probably should. I know there are several websites out there with tools that help you get more out of twitter - do you use any that you can recommend?
Many thanks,
Fran.
Raymond T. HightowerMarch 9, 2009
Fran- Thanks for the comment. Regarding Twitter tools: I use TweetDeck, a desktop app that you can download for free. TweetDeck lets you view Tweets, DMs replies, and searches all within one window. It runs on Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux. -Ray
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