For the last week or so I’ve been beta testing a new piece of software to make posting links to Twitter very simple. It’s called Thurly App and uses the Thurly URL shortening service. Both were created by Elixir Graphics which is located right here in Orlando.
If you use Twitter all day long, then you’ll see the value in this Safari add-on. Once installed, it adds itself to the Safari Preferences and gives you a few options — basically a spot to add your twitter account information and set up a template to base your tweets on, if that’s what you want to do. Then, during your normal web browsing, when you come across something you want to share with the world, hit ⌘+⌃+T (command+control+T) and the Thurly App drops into action.
Thurly App in Action
You get a few options in the app: the ability to just copy the shortened URL to use in your Twitter app of choice, the ability to enter another URL and shorten it, or, the ability to tweet a message with the shortened URL. All of the normal Twitter nuances, including the 140 character counter, are built into the app. It’s a simple app, yet one that is very useful.
The app is free, but you can register for $4.95 and that will unlock the ability to set up more than one twitter account with the app as well as use the template system. You can download it and learn more at Thurly App.
Since I was a part of the beta testing, I’ve got the cool press release, so if you’re into that sort of thing it’s included below. Give the app a try, I’m sure you’ll like it.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Orlando, FL — Elixir is happy to announce Thurly, a plug-in for Safari that allows you to both shorten URLs in a snap as well as post directly to Twitter without ever leaving your browser window.
With a quick keyboard shortcut (Command-Control-T) Thurly springs to life automatically shortening the URL of the web page you are on.
From there you can copy the shortened URL out to use elsewhere. Paste it into emails, forums posts, blog entries and much more.
Thurly allows you to also post to Twitter from the main interface. It populates the Status field with a shortened URL and let’s you edit your post as you like. Click “Tweet” or press Command-Enter and your post lands in your Twitter updates.
Registering Thurly is not required. You can use the base features of the plug-in, shortening URLs and posting to Twitter, for free until the cows come home.
We have added some bells and whistles though to make your life easier. Registering allows you to use multiple Twitter accounts, letting you post from different accounts on the fly from the main interface.
We have also built in the option to use a Twitter template. The template let’s you set a default message that appears in your Twitter Status field each time your open Thurly. Which can also be overridden at any time.
Download your copy today, it’s free!
Registration for a single user license is a mere $4.95 (about the price of a cup of coffee at Starbucks).
Screenshot link 1: http://thurlyapp.com/images/screenshot1.jpg
Screenshot link 2: http://thurlyapp.com/images/screenshot2.jpg
Intro Video: http://vimeo.com/5523344
App Icon: http://thurlyapp.com/download/ThuryIcon.zip
Today is my one year Twitterversery. I had this really cool idea to celebrate by loading my complete Twitter stream and then get a giant screen capture and post it here. But as is usually the case, Murphy showed up and prevented any such thing. I couldn’t load the entire stream — Twitter stopped my efforts around last July — and then what I did capture couldn’t be compressed into a graphic small enough to actually post. So yeah, big fail.
Just like everything else here, this picture has nothing to do with anything.
So, instead of just letting 3,360 tweets go by without fanfare I decided to change things completely and launch a new site design. One has absolutely nothing to do with the other, but what do you expect from me? Like the Twitterversery I had a whole post planned out to show off the new features this theme brings, like threaded comments. I was going to title it “Change You Can Believe In” and launch it on June 1st to tie in with Conan O’Brien taking over the Tonight Show — see what I did there? Instead, I decided to throw all that out and just say here it is. It’s called Limb Kulers and derives it’s name and colors from guvilla’s Kuler set. Other credit is due and can be found in the CSS stylesheet, if you’re into that sort of thing.
In light of the completely unconnected nature of this post, I’m not going to end it by asking for your take on the new design. No, instead I’m going to close by asking what is a change that you can believe in? Let me know in the comments.
With the heightened popularity that Twitter has been receiving lately thanks to the “race to a million followers” publicity stunt and Oprah’s recent entrance to the 21st century — and yes, I was here before Oprah — I figure it’s high time to explain what you should expect if you follow me. Reading this may also give you a bit of insight into how I use Twitter, if you know, you’re into that sort of thing. If this sounds like something Wil Wheaton would do, well, it’s because he did and I really enjoy the post.
Coming soon, Oprah's must-follow list.
The number one rule is that if you claim to be some sort of “social media expert” and you follow me, I will block you. End of story. This may sound a bit harsh, but deal with it. First of all, you are by no means a social media expert. No one is. When I see “social media expert” on someone’s one-line bio I actually read “social media whore” or “lame spammer.” I don’t want to be one of your five thousand followers in the hopes I’ll follow you back just to inflate your own digital ego.
That brings me to the second rule: If you follow me, don’t expect me to follow you back. Twitter doesn’t work that way. There’s only so many different people I can keep track of and while I’m flattered you find my mindless drivel interesting, don’t count on my following you back.
I won’t use #hashtags unless I’m at a conference or trying to get on some sort of TV program, like Current’s debate coverage. I think #hashtagging is pretty silly for daily use, but if I’m at a conference then I’ll tag away. Expect to see #orange09 appear very soon.
While I don’t post as much as some people do, I will go through bursts where I post often, especially while at a conference — see above. Having said that, I do tend to use @replys an awful lot. If you have all @replys turned on, well, you may find me annoying. Oh well.
Speaking of @replys, if you follow me, feel free to drop one on me from time to time. My favorite use of Twitter is as a means of communication; which is why I heavily use @replys. So answer the random questions I ask from time to time or just say hi.
I don’t retweet anything, unless it’s some sort of contest or freebee deal and even then it’s very rare. it’s not that I don’t find things funny or interesting or insert adjective here, it’s that I don’t think retweeting makes any sense. I don’t need to copy someone’s exact words. I didn’t do it while in college and I’m not going to do it on the internet. Maybe I’ll pass on a link and give someone credit for it, but I’m not going to copy the entire tweet. Seems silly.
Basically I use Twitter the way that I like to use Twitter and it may or may not mash up with they way you use Twitter. If it doesn’t, and for whatever reason you can’t deal with it, well don’t follow me. I don’t really care. But if you’re down with all the above, then jump on it.
How do you use Twitter? Do you have any hard and fast rules you use? Let me know in the comments.
As you may know, I’m a fan of Twitter, the social micro-blogging site. I follow a lot of people who I know and a lot more whom I don’t. Of the people I don’t know, I follow them for various reasons. Some are funny, some are bloggers, some are programers, some are reporters and some are even full fledged celebrities. Despite the number of people I currently follow, there are some people who aren’t on Twitter that I think should be. Without further ado, here they are:
What do you get when you search 'Twitter' on Google Images? iJustine.
- David Crowder
David Crowder, of David Crowder*Band fame, is a very funny and poignant writer. His book, Praise Habit, was a very fun and insightful read. His witty humor would fit well into my Twitter feed.
- Kevin Smith
Silent Bob Kevin Smith is one of the funniest writer/directors working in the business. With such fine specimens as Dogma, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, and Chasing Amy, how could 140 character quips not be good?
- Sir Richard Branson
What could one of the worlds most eccentric billionaires and smartest businessmen say in 140 characters or less? I don’t really know but I’m sure it’d be interesting.
- Yogi Bera
Come on, how could this not be a good thing?
- Conan O’Brien
I’ve always liked Conan and thought that his show is the funniest of all the late night TV, but after seeing him on Inside the Actors Studio I’ve decided that Conan is basically a genius. 140 character quips from him would be pretty much awesome.
- Zach Braff
The guy is a great writer (see Garden State) a fan of really great music (see Garden State soundtrack or any episode of Scrubs) and probably pretty funny. A Zach Braff Twitter stream would probably be pretty cool.
As a bonus, here’s someone who actually is on Twitter but hasn’t said anything: Joel McHale. Host of The Soup. Need I say more? Granted, this might not really be him, but according to LeVar Burton, it is. He really needs to say something now and then.
As you know by now, I’m an avid twitterer. On Mondays (and sometimes Fridays) I enjoy watching the CNN Newsroom with Rick Sanchez, a news show that injects comments from Twitter, Facebook and MySpace about the stories being covered. Today I joined the conversation and made it on CNN. Check it out:
Is that legit or what?
The full text of my tweet is:
@ricksanchezcnn These people in positions of power just think they can do whatever they please. Kind of sick actually.
and was in reply to two tweets about Ted Haggard and Portland’s mayor, both who had illicit.
So there you have it. I’ve now been published (can I say that?) on CNN. What have you done today?
