Just because we use Twitter, doesn't mean it's Perfect!
So I've started to use Twitter on a daily basis only 2 month ago, and it's just amazes me to see how many people use it regardless the fact that it's actually suck in terms of technology (features, design etc.) So of course, nothing can beat those free SMS but why the hell Twitter not giving this much attention to their Website? Basically, most of the action is done over there.
So I've picked some of the things Twitter should add or change in my opinion:
- Get rid of the @ + user name and just let users to comment right from a status page, like at Plaxo or Pownce:
- Allow users to embed favorite statuses to their blog/site, and share via email. For example, if I like the next status, why do I need to create a JPAG/GIF file to be able to share it here:
- Reply or send personal notes would be so much easier form home page. Why do I need to visit a user page just so I could send him a message?!
- Currently there are 3 tabs on a user home page: Archive, Replies and Recent. Why not add Inbox and Sent to the same page as well?
- Characters available: 140 - wishful thinking: 200 characters.
- Let me be more social and allow me to add more info about myself, links to other networks that I use.
5 Comments:
Regarding replies, the @reply syntax works well from any device or client. Most of the Twitter "power users" don't use the Twitter website.
The 140 character limit is based on some SMS messaging limitations.
i'm not sure why all messages - not just those sent/received on mobiles - should be truncated at 140 chars, that seems clumsy, especially when there are now so many desktop twitter clients.
my main concerns are about privacy. how do i prevent someone from following me if i don't want them to follow me? and how come even if i delete a message, it still appears in the RSS feed? it seems like once posted, a twitter message will exist forever. scary!
here's my detailed thoughts on it.
Orli.
"@" symbol is part of data strcutures that is clled as "nano formats". Its the next generation of formating for the internet, just like XFN And FOAF structures.
As for useablity, there are issues that need to be worked out - I cant disagree. Have you seens Shel's open posted to EvHead and Biz ?? Check it out.
Alan, as for PRivacy- there is an option to "protect" your updates and if you want you can block someone too.. However, If you are scared that of that you may write. Dont write it. BTW, a record of whatever happens on the net is always available - even if you /others don't see it !! :)-
limitations breed creativity though. twitter could be a million different things and be 'better' but then it would mean i wouldn't have to think about some things. i like that.
keep twitter pure. it's just a tree with branches and all of us on those branches twittering at each other!
One major achievement of twitter is to unify 3rd party clients, their site, instand messagers and most importantly mobiles. If you focus on just any one of them (like you did here) there bound to be shortcomings. But it is the overall package that makes it successful imho.
Good design is not to simply offer every feature but to make sensible choices so the user does not have too. I am not saying that Twitter is well designed (even though I think so) but that their success speaks for itself.
Btw: Messages are by default not truncated but limited to 140 chars. That is a major difference and impacts on the whole character of twitter. Truncation only appears where there is no option for Twitter to control the input (e.g AIM)
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