Twitter – the microblogging or messaging tool – is supported by a plethora of third party applications. Sure you can tweet from twitter.com, but it is nearly impossible to read posts from your growing list of followers on the website. If you want to share links, photos, and videos I consider these twitter applications to be essential.
1. Tweetdeck – is an Adobe Air program that creates columns for twitter users based on your shared interests. Also create a column for @ replies and direct messages (DM). I read and send most of my Twitter messages from Tweetdeck. You can also post your status update to Facebook and manage multiple accounts with Tweetdeck.
2. Hootsuite – is a web-based tool for tracking, reading, and sending tweets from multiple Twitter accounts. I use Hootsuite to post tweets for @gfriese, @everydayemstips, @piosmtraining, and @emseducast. My favorite Hootsuite feature is the ability to schedule Tweets. For example, I schedule a tweet announcing the next EMSEduCast the Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday morning before the episode broadcasts live. I also use Hootsuite for tweeting to multiple accounts during webinars and podcasts.
3. TwitPic – email a photo directly from your smartphone to TwitPic. The photo will post in the TwitPic photo stream and send a tweet out to your followers with a link to the photo. Tweetdeck displays TwitPic photos without opening your web browser. Very handy. Photos from TwitcPic can also be linked to our embedded in blog posts.
4. Screenr – is a screencasting tool that is web based. After recording your screencast a tweet announcing and describing the screenr is posted to your Twitter account. Viewers can retweet (RT) and forward your screenr to their followers.
This Screenr describes the website, oneforty.com – a one-stop shop for finding and reviewing Twitter tools and applications.
