It’s Time to Tweet Big! November 23, 2009

In recent review of BigTweet, a twitter application, it has been found that this application can allow readers and reviewers to leave all types of messages for their followers behind.  According to the little blurb about bigtweet, a poster could leave behind valuable links to other websites, without ever leaving the home page.  This is quickly becoming the fastest and easiest way to access Twitter.  In addition to quick URL links, an individual can also highlight text and create a shortened link without having to search out a different website and plug in the information.  It is all done on with this application.  A poster can also incorporate music, trackers for links, bookmarks, buttons, and also send messages to some of the poster’s favorite online networks.  This application would be highly useful for individuals who do not like to spend a ton of time on the computer, searching out just-right pieces of information, then carousing over several more websites so that it will fit the requirement of 140 characters. 

 

This application would be useful when an individual would like to post something very quickly, especially when it has a ton of other resources, such as music and links, incorporated into the body of the text.  Future literacy motivators would probably use this when they want to post something that they happened across, but do not have the time.  This of course falls under the category of educators as well, because they often, do not have time to spend one or two hours searching out information.  They need it now!  Or they at least need do it all quickly.  BigTweet allows an individual to provide multiple pieces of information and media in a quick, efficient manner, which is rather strenuous when simply using the regular twitter page and profile.

To access “BigTweet,” sign into Twitter, use the secure login to BigTweet that uses the OAuth protocol; no registration required, for more information about logging in/using BigTweet, visit the BigTweet website:  http://www.bigtweet.com/home.html, under Features.

These Writing Spaces of Mine… November 7, 2009

As time progresses and evolves, so does the writing techniques and mediums used to convey a message from author to reader.  The writing spaces utilized and developed also grow, expand, and change based on the society, culture, and preferences of the growing age.  There are many, many types of writing spaces, from papyrus to printing presses to typewriters to computer composing; all of which play a role in how writing develops.

Three of the most common writing spaces that I use would be (obviously) the computer, handwritten journals, and formal letter writing.  Of these, the computer takes up most of my writing time.  Do to a string of essays, emails, research, and other forms of academic papers, the composing is done straight on the word processing system to help cut back on multiple loose-leaf copies, constant erasing and smudge marks, and storage that is quick and easy.  The computer’s writing space also offers a ton of resources that allow my document to look its best, even when a reader (other than me) is not present.  The style and simple structure allows for anyone to read the information presented without the worry of having to decipher cursive or jumbled letters that could account for any one of the alphabetical sequence.   Computers also have multiple writing spaces available other than the academic essay value.  Research and various sources are also available just a “click” away, making the process of gathering information from multiple authors efficient and unique.  The second writing space that I use frequently is journals.  I have several bound pages that are waiting for inspiration to strike.  Not only do they contain some of my favorite pieces of quotes and text from all over the place, but they also incorporate some of the “other” types of writing materials.  For example: pictures, postcards, fortune cookie fortunes, random blurbs of sayings, and little quirks that I find fascinating or have created myself.  Journals are unique writing spaces because they house the fundamental essence of the writer.  All the passages contain the inner workings and passions of the author; it is a personal account of one’s interests or trains of thought.    The third writing space I use frequently is formal letter writing.  Of course, this could fall under the category of emails, but my type of formal letter writing is (1) handwritten, (2) on personally selected stationary, and (3) (in my opinion) is a more personal way of saying, “how do you do? Or how are you?  These characteristics are unique because the reader has that sense of connectedness to the author and the created piece is something that can be folded and tucked in a breast pocket to be revisited later when just the right saying comes to mind.  On the other hand, with an emailed letter, a computer has to be available, the draft of the email needs to saved, found, and opened, and the text has a rigid standard, meaning that it has difficulty conveying emotions (despite emoticons).

These writing spaces have also changed and influenced one another.  Over time, writing spaces remediate either themselves or another type of technology, or in this case, writing space.  Formal letter writing has now become almost an “archaic” concept.  With the immediacy and accuracy of email, multiple e-stationeries, font types and sizes, the need to express “good tidings” no longer relies on pen and paper.  Instead of waiting for the letter to arrive by mail in about a week, a recipient can receive a message within minutes and also respond in the same amount of time!  This definitely brings down the cost of stamps and effort!  In addition to email, there are also instant messaging, chat windows, and blogging stations that give regular updates.  Instead of creating a personal letter that discusses a wide range of time, these short bursts of information are simply the little parts of our day, almost like an hourly update, so to speak.  No longer do we have to wait for a response by mail, now it is just a keyed text combination and a click away.  Other writing spaces that have also been altered or changed would be journal writing.  Instead of buying thousands of journals to fill up with your thoughts, ideas, inspirations, and quirks, this is all available via the computer.  With word processors and passwords, your private thoughts are practically safeguarded beyond your wildest dreams.  No more worry about someone leafing through the pages.  But, is it better?  Not only do you risk more injury typing, but your thoughts may be come more jumbled when they are written and/or keyed down.  For example, the writer may tend to leave out more words or they might have trouble using the correct word to pinpoint the description because the concept is so “electronic ready.”  Furthermore, the journal was once something that you could carry with you, nowadays there is the laptop.  Of course, this has more “damage control.”  At the risk of being stolen, broken, or lost, the writing practice has taken on a more worrisome belief instead of a book that, to most people, would not be worth stealing; as for breaking it, well, let’s just say, unless you drop in the ocean or throw it out of a hot air balloon, it should remain intact.