Twitter continues to grow, change and adjust, encouraging developers to create and improve their own applications on top of Twitter. Twitter faithful a/k/a Twitterati, know that you don't need to go to Twitter.com to interact with Twitter users because there are hundreds of Twitter tools providing access to Twitter on other websites.

But change is underfoot with some people expressing concern after reading an April 11, 2010 article in The New York Times which explained that Twitter may finally reign developers in. Or at least give priority to proprietary applications built in-house.

No matter, most of us aren't all that concerned with the behind the scenes challenges facing developers. They'll work things out with Twitter just fine. Instead, we're looking at different ways to enhance our experience while making sure that our tweets don't get lost in the 50 million plus tweets recorded on most days.

To that end, I've composed a brief list of 7 smart Twitter tips to improve your tweeting experience:

1. Say Thanks – Why not send a personal note to new followers thanking them for following you? No, not a canned answer...anyone can do that...rather a direct message tweet for their eyes only? You may be find a deeper connection by reaching out personally.

2. Follow Friday – The days of shouting out to everyone on Follow Friday are so over. Instead, choose a handful of followers to shout out to one by one, encouraging your own followers to follow them, use their service, or whatever.

3. Be Funny – There are enough trolls on Twitter to throw cold water on all of the fun. Oddly, humor is used only from time to time. Why not contribute a smile in the form of a witty, but tasteful joke or riddle?

4. Ask Questions – Make a name for yourself by engaging other users. Consider offering prizes for correct answers...use your interaction as a way to build solid relationships with Twitter faithful.  Build your reputation by being a helpful Twitter user.

5. Multiple Accounts – I manage five Twitter accounts, each one is tied in with websites I manage. It can get crazy going from account to account, but that is where TweetDeck (tweetdeck.com) comes in. Allow your “voice” to be heard through the appropriate account, but don't spam.

6. Cull Followers – Regularly go through your follower's list and remove people who aren't active on Twitter or have traveled to the dark side and are spamming everyone, everywhere. Use SocialOomph (socialoomph.com) to help you choose your followers carefully. Numbers don't matter...unless you are a celebrity!

7. Smart Hashtags – Using hashtags is perhaps just as important as your tweet, but finding the right ones for certain tweets can be a challenge. That is why I visit a hashtag directory (hashtags.org) to help me find ones that are appropriate. I've received many more RTs with the right hashtags in place.

Perhaps the best advice anyone can give about enhancing your Twitter experience is to simply enjoy tweeting and interacting with fellow users. It is as simple as that!

(2010/02/01) TECHNOLOGY SCL

Twitterati who logged onto Twitter at any point from last Wednesday on discovered a new feature at their disposal. Local trends is here, a way for people to track tweets on a localized level. Specifically, if you want to know what is going on in the area where you live, then local trends will list those tweets for you.

Relevant Trends

This can be a good thing for a number of reasons. While general trends can sometimes be useful, oftentimes they include irrelevant topics, at least those things which may not be important to you.

Sure, Lady Gaga may be someone you follow, but a Twitter user in Norway may not even know who the entertainer is much less care. Now, that same person living in Oslo can find out what people are tweeting about in their city, perhaps giving them a chance to take in an impromptu art show or find a deal at the market.

Twitter's Jenna Dawn, writing on the micro-blogging's weblog last Wednesday said, “As Twitter evolves, and more people share what’s happening in their own world, we want to provide another way for people to discover topics that may be relevant to them. Last week we began to slowly roll out a new feature called Local Trends to expose what people are talking about on the state and city level, and today we've fully launched so everyone can use it.”

Campus Trends

So how does this translate down to the campus level? Well, for starters the local search is limited to just six countries right now – Ireland, Canada, United Kingdom, Mexico, United States, and Brazil. It also only tracks fifteen cities which means yours may not be listed. Don't fret, because there is a tiny message at the bottom of the sign up section which says, “Don't see your location? We're working on it.”

If you happen to live in one of the cities listed and you do sign up then you may find something of interest to you. But on the campus level, a lot of “city noise” may crowd your tweets out unless everyone is tweeting about tonight's basketball game, Professor Grimwald's bow tie, or today's coffee special. Though the local trends feature seems pretty limiting right now, imagine how useful it could come in if there is a campus emergency – your local tweets will most likely help everyone get the world out in mere moments.

Try Trendmaps

Of course there is always Trendmaps which already spots local Twitter trends. But when local trends is fully implemented, your campus happenings will likely find their place in the mix.

(2010/02/01) TECHNOLOGY SCL

All the hoopla surrounding Facebook's privacy problems has some people wondering if there are viable alternatives to this amazingly popular social networking platform. We previously reported that Diaspora is in the development stages and should be ready for September launch, but not everyone wants to leave Facebook nor will the world automatically sign up for Diaspora when it does become available.

Reclaim Privacy

Fortunately, an open source, browser based security checker called “Reclaim Privacy” has been designed and developed to help you find out if your Facebook privacy has been compromised. By dragging a bookmarklet into your browser bar, you can log on to Facebook, click on the bookmarklet and run the privacy scanner to find out if your privacy has been retained or possibly compromised. The scanner operates entirely within your browser and the Reclaim Privacy people do not see your Facebook data nor do they share personal information about you with others.

Six categories are scanned right above your Facebook toolbar: instant personalization; personal information; contact information; friends, tags and connections; friends sharing information about you without your authorization; and an application blocker.

Reclaim Privacy does not automatically fix problems, leaving that step to Facebook users. You'll receive a “grade” based on three different outcomes: good (everything is fine), scanning (meaning that information is still being checked), and insecure. Whenever anything shows up as insecure, you can click on the link provided which will take you to the appropriate Facebook page to amend those settings.

My Test

Two categories came up as “insecure” when I tested my Facebook privacy. Instant Personalization was flagged but I was able to opt out by unchecking a box next to the following description: “Allow select partners to instantly personalize their features with my public information when I first arrive on their websites.” Keep in mind that Facebook automatically added this feature with the box checked when they made a recent update to their site.

I also unchecked each of the boxes allowing my friends to share various bits of information about me with others (political, religious, hobbies, etc.) That information falls under what Facebook describes as “What your friends can share about you through applications and websites.” I'm okay with my Facebook friends knowing whatever they want about me through my personal uploads and settings, but I don't necessarily want them to share the same with people I may not know. I unchecked each of those boxes too.

Once you're through with the scanning and have made your changes, click the “done” button and the drop down scanner disappears.

Facebook Accountability

I'm not part of a campaign to discredit Facebook nor am I urging everyone to dump Facebook when Diaspora launches. However, like so many avid web users, I am concerned about how Facebook behaves and will take whatever steps necessary to ensure my privacy while encouraging you to do likewise.

I believe that a tool such as “Reclaim Privacy” sends a strong message to Facebook: while we love the convenience of your platform, our privacy is of utmost importance. Failing that, Diaspora may eventually emerge as the social media platform of choice for Facebook expats.

(2010/05/18) SOCIAL MEDIA SE

When you began college, did you fully expect to finish school with at least a bachelor’s degree? Lots of students pursue higher education expecting to complete what they started, but for some students stopping their academic initiative could be the best decision they ever made.Contrary to generally accepted opinions, quitting college makes perfect sense for a select group of students especially the following gifted high achievers:

The Internet Brainiac — Bill Gates is a college drop out who founded Microsoft, Michael Dell quit the University of Texas, while Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak left school to co-found Apple. Had any of these students continued with their studies, what would computer technology look like today? Maybe it would appear nearly the same, but other adventurers could have jumped in had these smart guys hesitated and stayed in school.

The Business Mogul — Not everyone has the intellect to start an internet start up, but plenty of people have a business idea that is unique and likely to catch on. Ted Turner was not an ideal student, reportedly he was kicked out of college. Turner launched CNN and has made billions through his various business ventures. Sir Richard Branson, one of the richest and most influential people in the world, didn’t even bother to go to college.

The Sports Superstar — With the college football season now over, lots of talented football players with one or more years of eligibility remaining will quit school and head to the NFL. Can you blame them? Texas Longhorn RB Jamaal Charles announced he will leave school for the NFL and Rutgers Scarlet Knights RB Ray Rice is considering doing the same. The pay off? A cool multi-million salary package — something that isn’t guaranteed if these players were to decide to stay in school and are seriously injured in their final years on the college gridiron.

Clearly, only a tiny segment of students may want to consider quitting college for other pursuits. If you do leave early, you can always get your degree part time through independent study. Of course, if you are making it just fine without a degree, then the piece of paper won’t make much of a difference for you. Besides, donating millions to your almost alma mater can be the nicest gesture you’ll ever make!

(2008/01/09) CAREER PLANNING SCL

Distance learning continues to grow and is now an option at more than two-thirds of all institutions of higher education offering at least a two-year degree. Indeed, 88 percent of public universities offer credit-granting distance education courses according to a 2006-07 survey conducted by the United States Department of Education -- National Center for Education Statistics, the last year such a survey was conducted.

Education Rocks

If you haven't seriously weighed distance education as a learning method you may not have considered all the advantages. To that end we've listed 7 reasons why distance learning rocks:

1. Opens Doors – Distance education opens doors for millions of people who might otherwise not be able to set foot in a classroom due to accessibility issues including time, a physical handicap or location.

2. Flexible Schedule – There are two types of distance learning classes: synchronous and asynchronous. With the former, you'll be gathering together with classmates and your instructor at a precise time during the week, the same as you if you attended school in person. With the latter, you establish your own learning schedule, relying on teaching materials and recorded data to accomplish your work.

3. Saves Money – Certainly, not every distance education program is cost effective which means students may still shell out a wad of cash for each course. But, some schools such as Western Governors University offer a value based package. In addition, you'll use up less gas and your car won't wear out as fast.

4. Customized Learning – You may find it easier to get the classes you want online than you would if you had to go to the Registrar's office each semester. Moreover, some programs are tremendously flexible when you pursue a degree, allowing to basically customize what courses you take beyond core subject material.

5. Builds Confidence – Older students, especially those who have been away from the classroom for decades, can find online learning liberating. No need to keep pace with youngsters or feel embarrassed about asking questions in front of a class.

6. Career Changer – Over the past few years, millions of people have seen their careers go up in smoke. Many are making the transition to a new career with distance education playing a role in helping them reshape their lives.

7. Education Sampler – Lastly, online learning allows students to sample a variety of classes some at no charge. If you aren't sure what you want to study, you may be able to preview class videos and notes before signing up. Save time and money by targeting the types of classes you want to take first.

Survey Says

More than likely when the next education survey is released, the number of schools offering online learning options will have increased. For a number of colleges and universities that is all they do while traditional campus based institutions are expanding to incorporate distance education.

(2010/03/29) ONLINE EDUCATION SCL