Twitter Tools

The features of Twitter tools range depending on the tool you are using. Twitter tools can help you to monitor Twitter from your desktop, manage more than one account, or using the social networking website for business promotion. No matter what you use Twitter for, there is a tool that will help you make the most of this microblogging phenomenon. Check out some of the programs and add-ons below.

Do you use Twitter tools?

The simplest explanation is that Twitter is a microblogging website that lets you post status updates in 140 characters or less. The most basic way to do this is to log into Twitter and type your tweet. Besides posting updates, you can follow other users, search for tweets and even directly message other users, all of which can be accomplished with various Twitter tools.

The following tools are programs that run from either a PC or Mac:

• Twhirl. This desktop program resembles an IM program at first. You can perform the basics with Twhirl, which include posting your updates, reading posts from those you follow and directly replaying to users. It has the ability to monitor more than one Twitter account and also works with FriendFeed accounts. If you also have accounts with Pownce and Jaiku, then you can post your Twitter updates automatically to those as well.
• Snitter lets you monitor only one account, but it does Twitter extremely well. It's quick and efficient and even lets you customize the interface by adjusting values in the Cascading Style Sheet.
• Hellotxt is easy in that all you do is update your status. Not only does it connect to Twitter, but you can also update the same status through Jaiku, Facebook, MySpace, Bebo and Pownce. This is a browser-based Twitter tool.
• For Mac users there is Twitterific, which is slick in form and has the ability to update more than one Twitter account. You can also switch from public to friend tweets. The free version contains ads, so if that annoys you, you have the option of paying $14.95 for an ad-free version of Twitterific.
• Twitterlicious is a Windows-based program that does the basics. One special feature of this program is that when Twitter is down, Twitterlicious still works and won't "lock up."
• CoTweet lets business use Twitter in ways that helps them reach and communicate with customers. One unique feature is the ability to monitor keywords and trends in searches and even give out Tweet assignments via Twitter to employees.

The following browser add-ons provide easy access from Firefox and some interesting fun:

• Twitbin is a Firefox plugin that works within a browser. A small window appears that lets you do pretty much what the Twitter website does, just in the convenience of a browser window instead of leaving Twitter open separately.
• For something fun try Twittervision, which uses Google Maps to post tweets on a map of the world. You can see where public posts are coming from and even read them from the little quotes that appear.

Can't get enough from your computer? Try using the following mobile applications:

• TinyTwitter works with any Java-based phone like the BlackBerry or any phone that supports Windows Mobile. This program is a great alternative for those users who are limited on their texting plans per month. TinyTwitter is simple to use and lets you post updates and read posts from other users.
• iTweet is an Apple iPhone application to monitor and post Tweets.
• Twitter Mobile must be accessed from your phone, but the program allows basic tweeting and following.
• For a full-functioning Twitter client for the BlackBerry, try TwitterBerry. You must have the Internet Browsing Service for the BlackBerry in order to use this program.

Here are a few more Twitter tools that you might find handy. They can make your online life much easier.

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