How to Use Twitter with Instant Messaging
Twitter looks like just another time-sink, but it's a great way to increase exposure to your sites, find some new and interesting things on the web, keep track of what your friends are doing and perhaps make new friends. You can update Twitter through your browser, but you can also use your instant messenger program (AIM, GTalk, Jabber, LJTalk or .Mac) to quickly send updates (aka Tweets) to Twitter.
Be forewarned, though, if you've got an addictive personality - it will suck you in.
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Things You'll Need
- Computer
- Web browser
- Internet connection
- Instant messaging (IM) program
Instructions
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1
If you haven't already, go to Twitter.com and hit the "Join For Free" link to create your account.
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2
Sign into Twitter.
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3
Select the "Settings" link on the top of the page.
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4
Hit the "Phone & IM" link the top of this page to enter in your Instant Messenger username and select which program you use.
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5
Type in your IM username and select your Instant Messenger client, then hit the "Save" button.
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6
Send the string of letters that appears on the next page to the Twitter Instant Messenger account (TwitterIM for AOL Instant Messenger) using your Instant Messenger program and wait for a response from Twitter. Twitter will respond: "Your device has been verified and is on. Send 'off' at any time to silence. Send 'help' for more."
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7
Fire up your instant messenger program and send an IM instead of going to the website to update your tweets!
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1
Tips & Warnings
If you've followed all the steps and Twitter does not send an IM back to you, hit the "Delete and Start Over" button on the "Phone & IM" page and start back on Step 4.
Twitter is addictive, pace yourself.
Be courteous and respectful of other folks. No one likes a troll.
If you market your website or blog with Twitter, be a good 'net citizen and intersperse some non-advertising tweets.
Resources
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Comments
View all 11 Comments-
Who told your facebook to post my picture here or any whrere else. with out my premission by me.to so.
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Alexia Petrakos
Oct 08, 2008
There are so many new Twitter Clients (Twitteriffic, Twirl, Tweetr, Spaz...) these days it's easy to get your tweets on your desktop - I guess since the API has been so widely distributed lately there's no need for the IM client, but there is still a spot for IM integration.
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Alexia Petrakos
Oct 08, 2008
There are so many new Twitter Clients (Twitteriffic, Twirl, Tweetr, Spaz...) these days it's easy to get your tweets on your desktop - I guess since the API has been so widely distributed lately there's no need for the IM client, but there is still a spot for IM integration.
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vangyblue
Oct 07, 2008
There is no longer an application or setting for IM. They only list a "device" and its only your mobile phone. did they stop doing IM for desktops or IM services??!! I prefer IM when I am on my computer at home.
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vangyblue
Oct 07, 2008
There is no longer an application or setting for IM. They only list a "device" and its only your mobile phone. did they stop doing IM for desktops or IM services??!! I prefer IM when I am on my computer at home.
