Thompson Werk » Twitter

Site Updates

Robert — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 19:07:01 +0000

Today I have spent some time updating the look of this site. As always, I am trying to improve the readabilty of my posts through improvements in typography. Readers will notice the replacement of darker colors with more grays, easier to read font, and larger heading sizes. In terms of usability, site visitors can now leave comments simply by signing in with their Twitter account. Feel free to voice your opinions regarding the site changes.

Enough Twitter talk, what about Facebook?

Robert — Wed, 13 May 2009 14:05:54 +0000

In light of Facebook’s redesign and apparent mission to better streamline and present content, it would be interesting to see if Facebook is having a positive impact on academia. With all the talk questioning the academic impact of online services such as Twitter, it is important to discuss Facebook in the same fashion. A few posts ago I assessed what I thought were some of Twitter’s strengths and weaknesses as a means of expanding academic discourse. Like Twitter, is there the possibility that Facebook has the potential to facilitate the spread of information amongst historians? Certainty, but what is really important is whether Facebook’s growing content and members can be active participants any valid history orientated debate.

Some highly respected history societies, such as the Society of Military History, have established their Facebook presence via fan and group pages. Can history benefit from conversations stemming out of these Facebook pages, or is Facebook still the bane of traditional human interaction? Are debates on Facebook any less valid than those occurring in a lecture hall? While Twitter feeds can be viewed by anyone, both Twitter members and unregistered visitors, to read any content on Facebook one must register. Additionally, to read and actively partake in Facebook group discussions further approval is required. Consequently, is Facebook too restrictive, and therefore unable, to allow a proper academic debate to occur? Contrary to the perceived restrictive nature of Facebook, the ability to regulate who can see certain pieces of information is a positive attribute. Since Facebook retains forum related features, the possibility of conversations being hijacked by interruptions remains. Limiting who can participate might very well allow conversations to flourish unhindered.

What of the academic relationships that are built and developed through the use of Facebook? Ultimately, the relationships fostered are perhaps Facebooks greatest asset. While the integraty of historical discussions is debatable, the ability to interact with other academics is valuable.

Twitter

Robert — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 14:43:34 +0000

Twitter is a fun means of conveying simple thoughts, but the value of such a tool is debatable. A lot has been said about the academic usefulness of Twitter, read Cameron Blevin’s perspective. It has been argued that Twitter, in its current form, has limited academic value. The web tool is able to facilitate communication amongst individuals, so why not historians? Aiding in the exchange of ideas and opinions could have a positive impact on the general growth of the field. As discussed by Cameron,

One of the greatest advantages for academia that I can see from Twitter is that it plugs you into a rapid-fire, real-time platform for ideas and thoughts. While this can quickly turn into a deluge of information overload, it also keeps you up to date on contemporary events, issues, and trends in a distinctively social manner.

Having used Twitter for a few months, I believe the tool can become integral to the dissemination of ideas. More than sharing simple comments, Twitter’s straight forward system of expressing current thoughts allows users to link the views of others; thereby giving context and structure to larger topics of discussion. Basically, a single comment can lead to a string of associated comments and eventually a complex debate becomes evident. Nonetheless, the current limit of 140 characters is a hindrance to the expression of complete thoughts.

Currently, Twitter is a basic means of exchanging limited dialog. In time, the service may very well develop into a more complete academic tool, where it allows for more developed/lengthy posts. Ultimately Twitter is capable of encouraging the expression fresh view points in real time.