Twitter Vs. Texting
With phones that could pass for pocket-sized computers and 3G networks that allow high-speed Internet connections even on the move, the technology today has allowed people to stay in touch better than at any point in history. Text messaging and the social network Twitter are two popular ways for people to communicate.
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Text Messages
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Text messages are written notes sent from cell phone to cell phone. Very similar to online chat or instant messaging, text messaging uses emoticons like the world-famous smiley face :) to express feelings in the messages. Texting is the verb used to refer to the act of sending a text message. Texting is now so popular that answering machines and voice mail are becoming obsolete because of it.
Twitter
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Twitter is actually a web-based social network that has achieved immense popularity. Even celebrities and political figures have taken to tweeting. A tweet, derived from the website name Twitter, is an online status posting by a member of Twitter. The tweet does not have to have a specific recipient. You can simply tweet what you are doing or what's on your mind at that moment. The tweet is then sent out to others on the network who follow your tweets, or it can be set up so it can be viewed by anyone.
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Advantages of Texting Over Tweeting
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A text message maintains privacy. It is sent between you and your recipient, and no other party will be able to view it. When you send a text message, the recipient's cell phone will ring or vibrate, notifying the person that a text has been received. He can then read it at his convenience and reply if he wishes.
Advantages of Tweeting Over Texting
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Tweets do not have a primary recipient. This makes them much more useful to make an announcement to all your friends, where you would have had to send out dozens of text messages to get the same effect. It also is convenient for just making general observations or updating relatives and friends on what you are up to. Unlike a text message, it won't actually alert them specifically. If they log in to Twitter, they will be able to see your post, but they will not be interrupted just to get the message.
Price
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Text messaging is still a service that is calculated by the number of texts sent and received. Wireless providers usually have two or three plans with varying numbers of texts for a flat fee, and then you will be charged a fee if you go over your predetermined limit. Most providers also have a certain price for unlimited texting that usually rivals the cost of the phone plan itself. Tweeting is completely free from a computer, and if you have a smart phone with the internet activated, it will be free on the move as well.
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References
- Photo Credit handheld image by Alexander Kataytsev from Fotolia.com
