Has Twitter become as big a phenomenon as Facebook?
Gregory Leporati, Editor-in-Chief, Emeritus
Issue date: 4/22/09 Section: Features
When senior Andrew Conti first came to St. John's in 2005, Facebook was the obvious social networking site of choice for most college students. Four years later, though, a slew of new networking sites have appeared on the Internet, with Twitter leading the pack - so much so that it has emerged as one of Conti's favorite new services.
"It's a nice way to share what you're doing with other people, and a great way to hear from services, products, and even celebrities you enjoy hearing from," Conti said. "You don't have to follow people back like on Facebook, so you only get the updates that you're interested in."
Conti is not alone in his enjoyment of using Twitter. He is one of a countless number of St. John's students and faculty members who have signed up for the free service in the last three years, cementing it as one of the most popular networking sites on the Internet.
Created in 2006 by Jack Dorsey, Twitter allows for anyone to sign in and post short messages (140 characters long) to update others about their daily lives.
Additionally, users can sign up to follow the messages (or "tweets") of their friends and colleagues.
Sophomore Steve Kennedy found out about Twitter from a friend at another school. After signing up, he quickly found the service to be more accessible than other sites.
"It's an interesting way to keep in touch with people, and it's more convenient than Facebook," he said. "It's an interesting idea because you have to limit yourself, keep it short and concise, and I like that."
Stephen Llano, a University speech professor and coach of the St. John's Debate Team, has an account with both Twitter and Facebook. He sees the two as being very different forms of networking, though admitted that he is beginning to like Twitter more.
"I call Facebook 'extraneous information overload,'" he joked. "I don't want to know what type of extinct dinosaur you are, or what suit of cards you are after taking some online quizzes."
"It's a nice way to share what you're doing with other people, and a great way to hear from services, products, and even celebrities you enjoy hearing from," Conti said. "You don't have to follow people back like on Facebook, so you only get the updates that you're interested in."
Conti is not alone in his enjoyment of using Twitter. He is one of a countless number of St. John's students and faculty members who have signed up for the free service in the last three years, cementing it as one of the most popular networking sites on the Internet.
Created in 2006 by Jack Dorsey, Twitter allows for anyone to sign in and post short messages (140 characters long) to update others about their daily lives.
Additionally, users can sign up to follow the messages (or "tweets") of their friends and colleagues.
Sophomore Steve Kennedy found out about Twitter from a friend at another school. After signing up, he quickly found the service to be more accessible than other sites.
"It's an interesting way to keep in touch with people, and it's more convenient than Facebook," he said. "It's an interesting idea because you have to limit yourself, keep it short and concise, and I like that."
Stephen Llano, a University speech professor and coach of the St. John's Debate Team, has an account with both Twitter and Facebook. He sees the two as being very different forms of networking, though admitted that he is beginning to like Twitter more.
"I call Facebook 'extraneous information overload,'" he joked. "I don't want to know what type of extinct dinosaur you are, or what suit of cards you are after taking some online quizzes."
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Euphoria
posted 4/25/09 @ 8:58 AM NA
From what I hear on TV, Twitter is the one that celebrities like to use. I think that some people like the name. It is quick for people who do not have a lot of extra time. (Continued…)
Anthony
posted 4/27/09 @ 2:39 PM NA
I considered both this argument and this story utterly pointless.
Gregory
posted 4/27/09 @ 8:17 PM NA
I just want to say that hell's my wife's hometown. Dat's it and dat's all.
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