The Twitter is dead, long live the Identi.ca
Feb 21, 2011 (about 1 year ago)
Last night, I got involved in a conversation on Identi.ca regarding the use of Twitter. The conversation was started by reality with this dent:
I just deleted my Twitter account. Identica is the way.
There seems to be a movement of Identi.ca users who have decided to stop using Twitter and delete their accounts. This is something I have been thinking about doing myself, but I am not sure that deleting my account is something I really want to do. To be honest, I am not keen on deleting anything, even 4+ years of mundane Twitter drivel.
So, instead of deleting my Twitter account, I simply closed the Identi.ca to Twitter bridge — which is the only way my Twitter account has been updated in years. BUT, before I did this, I sent one last dent to appear on my Twitter account:
The Twitter is dead, long live the Identi.ca: http://muppy.org/n
Now, knowing that tweets really only have a fleeting existence, I am almost sure that nobody read it, or even noticed it, but it did give me a great deal of satisfaction to do it. Sad, I know. Also, if anyone inadvertently/unfortunately stumbles across my Twitter account, there is a slight chance that they might click on the link to see what Identi.ca is all about, and I would class that as a win! Also sad, I know.
Oh, and I also changed my Twitter bio to read:
I used to use Twitter, but then Identi.ca happened and the world changed for the better.
I am hoping my efforts will qualify my joining the !twitterfree Identi.ca group. :)
Finally, in totally related news, my friend richslxh also joined the conversion, and blogged about it too.
8 responses to “The Twitter is dead, long live the Identi.ca”
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Feb 21, 2011 (about 1 year ago)
I use twitter instead of identi.ca for similar reasons as using Windows Live Messenger (MSN) instead of using IRC. (I do use SOME IRC, but you’ll get my point)
It’s because it’s the popular thing. Not because I want to hip and cool and popular, but because too many of the people who I want to converse with are not on the free software versions, and wouldn’t switch because their friends are not.
I have an identi.ca, though I never use it because I didn’t get anything like the level of conversation on there compared to twitter, and I do have accounts for most IM protocols, but I have around 150 MSN contacts, and similar numbers of people I’m following on twitter. my identi.ca has around probably 40, and anyone I have on an IM protocol I frequently converse with ALSO has MSN and uses both, so I don’t see the need to run multiple different ones.
I’d like if I could switch to Identi.ca, just like I wish I could switch to diaspora once it’s live, instead of sticking with facebook, but facebook has in excess of half a billion active users.
Feb 21, 2011 (about 1 year ago)
@Mehall, I understand where you are coming from and I do realise that making the switch is not applicable to everyone. Also, from what you have written, I do not think I am anywhere near as sociable as you! :D
Feb 22, 2011 (about 1 year ago)
It really depends on what you’re using it for…
If I want a quick-hit of what’s going on in the linux community, I go to identi.ca, but if I’m looking for funny one-liners, it’s twitter.
A dietary metaphor would be steak and potatoes vs. candy.
Feb 22, 2011 (about 1 year ago)
@merelyjim, there is some truth in what you say, but Identi.ca users are capable of witty one-lines too. ;)
Feb 25, 2011 (about 1 year ago)
I’m seriously behind the times.
I don’t have a Twitter account (no Faceboob either), nor do I even know what I can use it for. I know they have their uses (starting revolutions against totalitarian regimes being one of them), but seriously, I don’t think I’d even have anything to say. One of the companies I’m a partner in has a MySpace page, but even there I leave the upkeep to someone else.
I guess I’m still kind of old-fashioned. I’m from the “If it’s important, you either phone or email me… if you don’t know either, means you’re not significant enough” school of thought. :/
Tell me, how do these TwitTwat/Identica thingies work? I see the term “microblogging” a lot, so I assume it’s somewhat like a personal blog, only shorter? If so, I just can’t really picture what I would say on one of these. I doubt most people would want to hear/read about my motorcycle’s health or my obsession with salads. ._.
Feb 26, 2011 (about 1 year ago)
@Gutterslob, sometimes I think it is too easy to over complicate things. Twitter and Identi.ca are simple little applications where you input messages of 140 characters or less. These messages can then be viewed by anyone who wishes to follow along. It is really quite simple. :)
Mar 3, 2011 (about 1 year ago)
Just switched from Twitter to Identi.ca. It’s such a Pita, that Twitter is only allowing to add more content but won’t give any of it’s onw. Closed and locked down content. What a bad concept. Bye bye Twitter - I’m over to Identi.ca
Mar 6, 2011 (about 1 year ago)
2 weeks later, maybe Twitter is not dead. :/