Twitter or Facebook? Twitpic by @Danny1989Pup #Poll: Facebook or Twitter? TWITTER TWITTER TWITTER!!

What suits your social networking requirements better, Twitter or Facebook? Or is your answer “none of the above?”

Twitterers gauge at the social networking options weighing in their likes and dislikes.

PollPigeon facilitates the research with the following opinion poll:

Screen snapshot by Maria Khan

Here’s a roundup of Twitterers who vote in favor of Twitter for its “wider audience” and “fun” element.

1. 
   sandyfussell Twitter is a wider audience than Facebook. Its easier to find people I don’t know (or know thru friends) who share same interests #ewfchat 26 May 2010 from TweetDeck
2. 
   happyyoumin twitter’s more fun than facebook or cyworld. But still, Koreans live in Korea. Won’t b able to replace that http://twitpic.com/1r64fx 26 May 2010 from Twitpic
3. 
   FernandoMoniaga From every aspects, twitter stands out! RT @YudhiEman: What’s better TWITTER or FACEBOOK??
   rep fart guys 26 May 2010 from Gravity
4. 
   chaarleeee Is it just me or is there something closer about following someone on twitter as oppose to adding them on facebook? 26 May 2010 from UberTwitter
5. 
   vany1994 just voted “TWITTER” on “What is better FRIENDSTER, FACEBOOK ,TWITTER or MULTIPLY?” vote too ➔ http://cli.gs/WvUqu 26 May 2010 from POLLpigeon
6. 
   RobbiiCaldwell just deactivated Facebook till june 25th or 23rd or later tonight , but I think Twitter will survive, time now 2 study in the sun time 26 May 2010 from web

However, some Twitterers are averse to the whole notion of social networking for eroding the traditional, face-to-face communication platform that seems to have disappeared with time.

1. 
   WTFrROMPERS I’m starting to think that tumblr may be better than Twitter or Facebook. Text, pic, quote, link, chat, audio, and vid on nice interface! 26 May 2010 from Echofon
2. 
   The_Real_CA Sometimes, I wish people would call [or visit] to tell things to my face. I hate the fact that people hide behind Facebook or Twitter. :-/ 26 May 2010 from web
3. 
   SwiftDaTruth Hmmm… Is it just me or is Twitter and facebook an insecure persons playground? *Raises Eyebrow* #Truth #profound 26 May 2010 from UberTwitter

@jazzytrash tweets about the darker side of social networking.

1. 
   jazzytrash i officially have a stalker, and its clearly someone on my facebook or someone lurking my twitter. #sketchy 26 May 2010 from mobile web

Twitter or Facebook? Twitpic posted by @Danny1989Pup "Class today we re talking about facebook and twitter! Lol so funny"

Yet, there are others who swear by both Facebook and Twitter, as a means of “modern communication”, a “personal” communication channel, as well as for “business” use.

1. 
   IDoThat2 When something scary or awesome happens to me, the first thing I do is post it on Facebook or Twitter. #idothat2 16 May 2010 from web
2. 
   BelindaNealMP @Simon_Cullen Modern communication doesn’t mean twitter or facebook is exclusive of personal communication. 26 May 2010 from web in reply to Simon_Cullen
3. 
   nataliemoo @urbancreature oh no are we talking facebook or twitter, twitter is easy.. facebook alot more personal 26 May 2010 from web in reply to urbancreature
4. 
   vascellari Twitter or Facebook: Which Is Right for Your Business? http://bit.ly/6T8Kot 26 May 2010 from TweetDeck

This very liquid nature of Facebook and Twitter sometimes works against them.

1. 
   zimbizforums England players will not be allowed to post comments on Twitter or Facebook or write articles for newspapers during the World Cup-BBC Sport 26 May 2010 from web

While opinions remain divided on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Tumblr, it’s not the quantity of available social networking sites, but the quality that makes for loyal consumers.

1. 
   Edrowan We are in 2010 and the LinkedIn contacts, Facebook friends or Twitter followers number game still lingers on. Quality or quantity? 26 May 2010 from TweetDeck

Twitter or Facebook? Twitpic posted by @AngelinaMunaret "Suesan just brought in facebook and twitter cupcakes for her last day with us. #ccobcc #gc20 #w2p"

Before writing for Twitter Journalism, I had a perceived notion that Twitter was just a fad used by self-absorbed social-media addicts interested only in news that affected them personally.

Since I could not grasp why anyone would care what someone ate for lunch that day, I just assumed that the Twitter fad would vanish just as fast as it arrived. Yet, after writing just a few short posts I was able to realize the impact Twitter has had on the journalism community.

Whether it is used to find breaking news, network or self-promote, Twitter is a tool that no journalist can afford to ignore—including myself. So I went on a quest to discover some tips on how the most successful journalists use Twitter on a daily basis, and here are the top three I found:

1. Finding News. Thanks to Mashable.com, I was able to discover Muck Rack, a Website compiled of real-time Twitter activity by credible journalists.

Since Muck Rack, according to Mashable.com, is searchable by news organization, tweets, links, and photos submitted by journalists, it is easy to find breaking news from reliable sources.

By seeking out what journalists are tweeting about today on Muck Rack, you can help predict the news for tomorrow.

Here are some examples of breaking news tweets posted on Muck Rack today:

1. 
   latimesmuskal Rahm Emanuel to meet Israeli leaders http://lat.ms/dyhNBu [D.C. Now] 25 May 2010 from twitterfeed
2. 
   benpolitico South Carolina GOPer emails: “Politico might be well served to establish a Columbia bureau. “ 25 May 2010 from Twitter for iPhone
3. 
   davidjoachim Forbes to acquire True/Slant – http://bit.ly/a7PWcv 25 May 2010 from web

2. Networking. Every Monday evening, around 7 to 10 p.m. central time, journalists, bloggers and PR folks from across the nation join together to talk about the media industry via Twitter using the hashtag #journchat.

The #journchat creator and moderator, @PRsarahevans, keeps the discussion going by posting hot topic questions about the industry roughly every 10 minutes. Any discussion participant can ask the questions by sending them directly to @journchat.

Here are some examples of questions generated from last week’s #journchat:

1. 
   journchat Q2 @AsianStig What are the necessary skills that every journ or PR person needs? (e.g. Computer science, or something else?) #journchat 25 May 2010 from TweetChat
2. 
   journchat Q3 How have you changed your daily work flow to accommodate #SM? What task(s) have gone away (or are you trying to get rid of)? #journchat 25 May 2010 from TweetChat
3. 
   journchat Q5 PER @lacajag What’s #1 prep-for-real-life thing (class, info, equip) missing in journ programs? >CC: @jayrosen_NYU @jeffjarvis #journchat 25 May 2010 from TweetChat

Not only can journalists new to Twitter use #journchat to discuss their industry, they can use it to find and gain interesting followers.

For example, just last week alone I was able to find seven media moguls to follow, and five to follow me @RKFiorentino. Just imagine how many followers a journalist could gain by joining the #journchat discussion weekly.

3. Self-Promoting. While some news organizations are developing strict rules and regulations for their reporters to follow while on Twitter, others are using social media personalities to gain readership.

Take the Chicago Tribune’s Twitter personality @ColonelTribune for example. According to Mashable.com, the voice of one of the most respected news organizations in the world is one that just wants to sit down and have a scotch with you.

Instead of just posting article links on their Twitter page, @ColonelTribune adds personality and engages with its audience members, asking and answering questions on a regular basis.

And one way to ensure that you are engaging with your followers after posting article links is to check your @ replies frequently.

If someone made a comment or asked a question regarding your tweet, it is crucial to answer them immediately. As a new journalist to Twitter, not only will replying ensure that the person will read your articles again, it can entice all of their followers to check them out as well.

For a more detailed look at how journalists can use Twitter, take a look at this YouTube video posted by BeatBlogging:

The 2010 Chicago Cubs continue to be a mystery to all parties involved, the National League Central Division, their fans and the players themselves. With the six weeks of baseball in the books, the Cubs have endured more peaks and valleys than a celebrity marriage.

The Cubs continue to struggle on the road, and with today’s late inning implosion against the Reds the team has dropped five out of six games between Pittsburgh and Cincinnati.

When the Cubs lose they lose in dramatic fashion or by a monstrous margin. When they win they look like World Series material -it’s as bad for the heart as it is for the mind. Fans on Twitter are wondering which team will show up at the ballpark tomorrow:

1. 
   lisamclisa23 You’re killing me #Cubs 09 May 2010 from Twitterrific
2. 
   jayfucanyon I think the #cubs need to stop giving up runs. At least there’s still the #Blackhawks. 09 May 2010 from web
3. 
   cubbies @ataccini Guilty as charged. Despite all the angst, still think #cubs will finish above .500 and come in second.: … http://bit.ly/aSuId8 09 May 2010 from twitterfeed
4. 
   BillMcCabe The #cubs are the worst team in the NL Central. No question. 09 May 2010 from TweetDeck
5. 
   aleagueofherown Let’s hope the #Hawks can come through for the Moms tonight, unlike the #Cubs! 10 May 2010 from web
6. 
   DSM_SportsFreak No way. And hire who? RT @DYK88: Wow, bold prediction! RT @Dwowww: Sweet Lou will be fired within a week. Mark my words. #cubs 10 May 2010 from UberTwitter
7. 
   ehansen43 @mnmsrock no – u can blame that penalty & goal on the #Cubs bullpen. 10 May 2010 from DestroyTwitter in reply to mnmsrock
8. 
   PrimaDo @unicatfan Seriously it’s like #sportsbipolar #Cubs 10 May 2010 from TweetDeck in reply to unicatfan

Twitter is being embraced as a tool for journalists today, when only a few years ago online media was viewed negatively by many “traditional” journalists. The way information is shared has changed immensely since the beginning of online news services and is being shared at a rapid pace by everyone, not only journalists.

Kyra Kyles, a reporter and columnist for Tribune Redeye and broadcast contributor, says that Twitter inspires the topics she chooses to write about in her column and on her blog.

1. 
   leesy_ @thekylesfiles How useful is Twitter to you as a blogger/ writer? Do you find info here or use it to engage random topics you come up with? 01 May 2010 from web
2. 
   thekylesfiles @leesy_ I’d say a mix. I get story/column ideas and blog topics too. 01 May 2010 from UberTwitter in reply to leesy_

Broadcast journalist Nancy Loo reiterated Kyles thoughts about how to use Twitter as a journalist. Loo added how communicating with others on Twitter lead to news tips, which come in handy for breaking news. Regardless of how information is shared, verification is still necessary and the role of a trained professional will continue to be a valuable asset for the public.

1. 
   leesy_ @NancyLoo Do you use Twitter to find stories and/ or to spread news? 02 May 2010 from web in reply to NancyLoo
2. 
   NancyLoo @leesy_ it’s useful for both. 02 May 2010 from Tweetie in reply to leesy_
3. 
   leesy_ @NancyLoo Is there a story that you found out about on Twitter that the media wouldn’t have been able to pick up otherwise? 02 May 2010 from web in reply to NancyLoo
4. 
   NancyLoo @leesy_ people tweet me story ideas & tips all the time. Searches & lists can provide gr8 insight during breaking news. 02 May 2010 from Tweetie in reply to leesy_
5. 
   leesy_ @NancyLoo How do you verify? Are there false leads being sent your way? 02 May 2010 from web in reply to NancyLoo
6. 
   NancyLoo @leesy_ verify the same as anything else! 02 May 2010 from Tweetie in reply to leesy_

Loo recently became a free agent in the Chicago market as a journalist, but has connected with the public she serves through a strong presence on the web. She maintains her Twitter account on a regular basis and works on various online sites and blogs.

It’s become commonplace for political candidates  to use social media for campaigning, but recently many of them have started using it not just to express their views on an issue or to release statements of their plans to the public as in Senator Evan Bayh’s case, “Here is the video of my retirement announcement.http://bit.ly/cBhAu7” (@SenEvanBayh). They have also begun using it in ways to reveal their personality in less formal, biting ways.

Democratic Candidate for Governor Darren E. McGillis recently had a post that leads one straight to aan old school rap video with an ironic twist. The rap song “Friends” plays in the background as images of Republican leaders sharing smiling photo-ops together. The undertone is scathing as the voice refers to people being friends for money purpose while a picture of rival Charlie Christ in friendly poses with convicted ponzi-schemer Scott Rothstein. “Republican friends how many of us have them…http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6R9sP4JKdCE” @mcgills4GovFL. The guilt by association message is clear, as is the appeal to the generation X voters who grew up when this song was popular.

Rep. Alan Grayson from Florida uses twitter to get across his ideas as well with a link to a CNN interview. “She’s an Inspiration to Quitters All Over the Country” http://goo.gl/fb/ciSw8. In the interview he makes even further mocking comments, calling former Governor Palin a “reality show star” among other things.

The Daily Kos (@DaliyKos) even gets in on the action by taking a jab at an entire political movement. “Fox poll: IRS more popular than tea party movementhttp://bit.ly/cihuHG.”

Sometimes, one can seemingly go too far. In England, Labour Party cancdidate Stuart MacLennan used twitter in a similar way but pushed the envelope too far for the political climate when he said, “God this fair-trade, organic banana is shit. Can I have a slave-grown, chemically enhanced, genetically modified one please?” (http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/labour-candidate-dropped-for-offensive-remarks-on-twitter-1940717.html).

“It’s almost now becoming a standard that you should really have a Facebook page or Twitter if you are running for office,” says Richard Pineda a communication studies professor at the University of Texas at El Paso.

Politicians must learn to go where their voters are. If their voters want to hear the issues and their take on them, they should deliver it to them in a format that they can readily accept and understand. But as social media becomes more social, are we going to see more or the lack of manners that can typify internet chatrooms? Or is it really just a microcosm of our society at large, where negative campaigning and mudslinging can someimtes be the political norm?

Perhaps, it really just is a reflection of the candidate’s personality. As the case with Michele Bachmann, congresswoman from Minnesota, usually seems to be on the offensive in most of her appearances, so she is on he twitter feed. “What’s the point of having a debt limit if we just keep raising it? http://online.wsj.com/article/SB126099939736594429.html” and “Today’s the one year anniversary of the so-called “stimulus” package. Was it worth the $862 billion?” @MicheleBachmann. This is in direct contrast to someone like Evan Bayh who tries to keep a different air about him, “I love working for the people of Indiana…. But I do not love Congress” and ”last two sessions [of the Indiana legislature] have been disappointing.”

The Washington Post took swift action after controversial tweets from one of its managing editors Raju Narisetti disclosed opinions on healthcare reform and the hospitalization of Sen. Robert Byrd.

Not only has Narisetti since closed his Twitter account, but the Post on Friday implemented a series of new social networking guidelines. It says the guidelines had previously been in the works, but editors “decided to accelerate the completion of [them]” after the Narisetti incident.

While it has not released the guidelines to the public, some parts of it were shared on the blog of ombudsman Andrew Alexander.

A few highlights:

• “nothing we do [on Twitter and Facebook] must call into question the impartiality of our news judgment.”
• “Post journalists must refrain from writing, tweeting or posting anything – including photographs or video – that could be perceived as reflecting political racial, sexist, religious or other bias or favoritism that could be used to tarnish our journalistic credibility.”

The new guidelines, as shared, would seem to have an impact on some of the Post’s more creative and popular Twitterers like Howard Kurtz (@HowardKurtz) and Chris Cillizza (@TheFix).

Both immediately addressed the concerns.

1. 
   HowardKurtz Under new WP guidelines on tweeting, I will now hold forth only on the weather and dessert recipes. 26 Sep 2009 from web
2. 
   HowardKurtz Actually, I always assumed you shouldn’t tweet anything you wouldn’t say in print or on the air. Diff betw having thoughts and being biased. 26 Sep 2009 from web
3. 
   HowardKurtz Apparently I just lost one follower who lacks confidence that I will be as charming and insightful as ever under new WP rules. Gimme a shot! 26 Sep 2009 from web
4. 
   TheFix Also, lots of question about the Fix Twitter feed in light of new Post policy. This feed will KEEP ON ROCKING 27 Sep 2009 from web

— this quote was brought to you by quoteurl

Media analysts, journalism professors and professional journalists weighed in on the new guidelines, mostly criticizing them as a step backward for the Post.

1. 
   jayrosen_nyu Something is seriously “off” at the Washington Post; I wish I knew more about the culture to know what it is. For now: “the print guys won.” 26 Sep 2009 from web
2. 
   jeffjarvis Washington Post turns journalists into antisocial mannequins. So much for new connections to the community. 26 Sep 2009 from Tweetie
3. 
   dankennedy_nu Hard to believe that WP was the leader in big-paper online innovation just a few years ago. 26 Sep 2009 from TweetDeck
4. 
   mleewelch WP Tweet-ban worse than I thought: It’s to avoid letting people see what the newsvolk REALLY think. Transparency! http://tinyurl.com/yabrc3x 26 Sep 2009 from web
5. 
   mathewi not sure what to say about the new WaPo social-media policy and the fact that an ME quit Twitter as a result: http://is.gd/3H1JM 26 Sep 2009 from TweetDeck
6. 
   AlanMairson . @mathewi WaPo Twitter policy sounds like journo equiv of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. Bizarre for people paid to ask & tell. 27 Sep 2009 from TweetDeck in reply to mathewi
7. 
   jlittau You get on Twitter to show a human face, Washington Post. Dumb policy on the use of social media. http://is.gd/3HJiJ 27 Sep 2009 from web

— this quote was brought to you by quoteurl

The Associated Press is trying something it’s never tried before with its coverage of the Sonia Sotomayor hearings.

It’s providing round-the-clock tweets at @AP_Courtside, documenting every move of the hearings, allowing the general public easy access to some of AP’s best talent, and using feedback to direct the coverage itself. And that’s not all.

The Twitter coverage is supplemented by a partnership with Yahoo News, where an extensive blog and collection of related articles is prominently featured on that Web site.

While the AP has embraced Twitter before, never before has it conducted anything of this magnitude in terms of crowdsourcing on a major story, says Gida Hammami of Editors Weblog.

I spoke with Ted Anthony, a national writer/editor for the AP and former foreign correspondent, who is supervising the ongoing Sotomayor Project.

What was the main idea behind it?

“We wanted to conduct an experiment and look at whether we could build community around news content,” he said. “It’s a short-term experiment, not a prototype or anything, but we also wanted to bring in our newspapers and increase discussion.”

Anthony said of Twitter, “It’s becoming a major force in the way people are communicating with each other.” He added that AP wanted to use it “not just because of its increasing relevance to the journalism world, but also the immediate flavor of it.”

A team of eight people is working together on the Sotomayor experiment, including seasoned political reporters, a social media expert, regional news director, and the Washington Bureau Chief himself.

“It’s true that the mainstream media and particularly AP don’t have a lot of experience dipping into the toes of readers, but we’re finding a pool of people who very much want to interact,” Anthony said.

He said not only are they collecting opinions about the story and the coverage itself, but the AP is interested in creating lively conversations between the public and journalists. It’s asked readers for the parts of the story they’re most interested in and tries at every opportunity to send reporters out to dig in.

Anthony said the group has already learned some interesting things.

“I am very delighted with the level of discourse,” he said. “Certainly, there’s skeptics and any experiment should have that, but people for the most part have been very engaging.”

“What’s becoming obvious is people very much want to have a stake in the news and how it’s covered,” he said.

For those critical of Twitter and its limitations, Anthony welcomed the criticism, but he also said he feels the negatives can be overcome:

“People may complain about these new technologies, and say it goes against depth, but we’ve proven with this experiment that if we have good reliable info, even in fragments, we assemble a picture at the end of the day that has relevance and context.”

Tonight I had the chance to meet Rick Murray, president of Edelman Digital, a division of Edelman that specializes in digital communication and social media outreach. He says there’s a new 24-hour news cycle and media companies must adapt.

“Today news is broken on Twitter, guaranteed. Then it goes to the Web site, and then the newspaper,” he said. “You have to know this because this is where things are going.”

He stressed that companies of all kinds, especially media companies, need to be on Twitter and frequently use Twitter Search to see what people are saying about them. Some companies may have hundreds of mentions every day and it’s important they monitor their brand and interact with users. Only a human can do this job, he says, but it might just be one human to start.

He also said media companies should have a Facebook presence and they need to “master Google because Google is the world’s operating system.”

Murray said that anyone on Twitter can learn from Scott Monty (@ScottMonty), head of social media at Ford, who has helped launch Ford as the No. 1 most respected brand in social media today. Monty takes the time to interact with users, answer questions, talk about what he’s doing, and not just talk about Ford all the time. It’s been a mix that’s been quite well received.

Follow Murray on Twitter: @rickmurray.