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There are a lot of questions which swirl around social media. One of the first questions many people ask is, “What is Twitter?” Obviously, a question that comes quick on the heels of the first one is, “How do I use Twitter?” Finally, if you’ve never used the social media micro-blogging service known as Twitter, you’ll then ask, “Does Twitter really matter?”

What is Twitter?

One of the most pondered questions ever, at least since the inception of Twitter in 2006 is this, “What is Twitter?” It is amazing how many people do not know what Twitter is but even as high as that total might be, almost 100% of computer users have heard of Twitter.

If you are one of those people who have asked, “What is Twitter?” The following are some definitions you may find satisfactory:

From Wikipedia:

Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as “tweets”.

From Tweeternet

Twitter is a social networking and microblogging service that allows you answer the question, “What are you doing?” by sending short text messages 140 characters in length, called “tweets”, to your friends, or “followers.”

From Twitter

Direct from Twitter is probably the best answer to the question, “What is Twitter?”

Twitter is a real-time information network that connects you to the latest information about what you find interesting. Simply find the public streams you find most compelling and follow the conversations.

From About.Com

What is Twitter? Twitter is micro-blogging. It is social messaging. It is an event coordinator, a business tool, a news reporting service and a marketing utility.

How Do I Use Twitter?

There are a lot of good posts which answer the question, “How do I use Twitter?” I wrote one such post about the purpose of Twitter which basically answers the question of how to use it. It is hard to use a social network correctly if you have no idea of its purpose. I also wrote this post on the basics of using Twitter for Facebook enthusiasts who have not yet signed up for a Twitter account.

Does Twitter Really Matter?

If you’re wondering if Twitter really matters, one has to look no further than the unrest in Iran after their 2009 elections. Twitter gained new iportance with that civil unrest. Twitter was signaled out as the one form of social media which helped protesters stay in communication. Even in the unrest this year in Egypt, Tunisa and elsewhere, Twitter was of great importance. Look at the publicity surrounding numerous events in soceity and you will often see a hashtag such as in signs in New York’s Occupy Wall Street movement that have #occupywallstreet or #ows written on them. This is a unique way to find similar messages or tweets on Twitter. Yes, Twitter really does matter, especially when it comes to breaking news events.

Sign Up

If you want to find out what Twitter is all about, how it shoudl be used and if Twitter really matters, there’s only one true way to find out…. sign up for an account and begin using it. Then let us know in the comments below what you like or dislike about Twitter.