So I have been quite twitter-focus lately. From the basic
twitter search to effectively utilize
retweets for publicity and info sharing, it wouldn’t be complete without a scoop on twitter desktop clients. They are equally important and some more ease to use. But in case you’re wondering…
What Is A Desktop Client?
It is an application to manage tweets (=conversations) over PC desktop instead of log in to the Twitter web interface. What’s great about desktop client is that not only it provides us the basic functionality, but also equipped with features to group people we followed, manage search and tweets for easy track-backs.
Types of desktop clients…
There are quite a few you could choose from. Here’s a well-compiled list of 26 microblogging tools by mintblogger applicable for Mac & Windows OS with explained features. However today, I’m going to feature 3 powerful desktop clients that you heard so much about:
Comparison Reviews of 3 Best Twitter Desktop Clients:
Twhirl, Tweetdeck & Seesmic Desktop
Twhirl was the earliest among the three that made it to user’s desktop. Its single column interface similar to any Instant Messenger – the ease of ‘tweeting’ whenever you feel like it! Oh, did I mention it supports multiple accounts-login too?
Tweetdeck emerged afterwards and overtook Twhirl’s shining spot with its multi columns interface and Facebook account integration; alongside with special features such as Twitpic/URL previews and 12seconds that capture the interest of Twitter folks. Yup.. ‘We Got A HOT ONE Right Here!!’ (Please don’t sue me Randy…)
Later in end of April, 2009, Seesmic made a comeback with its evolutionary production named Seesmic Desktop — added with Tweetdeck’s specialty of split screens, Facebook integration and grouping ability. Despite Tweetdeck has won over a strong user base over the times and said to be the most powerful desktop client existed, Seesmic Desktop has gradually capture the attention of many with its multiple accounts support, and the most recent: replying Facebook comments!
Let’s Dig A Little Deeper…
1. Interface:
If you are super observant and wouldn’t want to miss a THING, then Seesmic Desktop would amaze you with its unlimited, multi columns interface. It is now providing options from single column, one fixed others detached to all detached columns. Best served to multitasking Twitter individuals. Tweetdeck however, manages up till 10 columns, and allows an 11th for special inquiry such as user profile or manage groups. Twhirl, on the other hand, plain and simple – my choice of application during office hours when limited tweeting is taking place.
2. Notifications of Tweets, DMs, Replies etc:
Both Twhirl and Seesmic Desktop shared the distinctive alert notifications. One could easily fly from kitchen upon hearing the alert, and Replies/DMs are recognizable with specified colours. Tweetdeck‘s alert however, is monotonous and no colour identifications between tweets or replies.
3. URL Shortener Services:
As much we have mixed feelings with URL shortener, one could not deny its importance in microblogging where ’140′ is the limit! Twhirl and Seesmic Desktop are good picks if you wish to track your bit.ly click stats. By providing your bit.ly acc API key, all URLs shortened by bit.ly will be saved for track backs.
4. Sharing Pictures from Desktop Clients:
Twitpic is the default picture sharing service for all desktop clients. Seesmic Desktop has 4 more options: Twitgoo, yfrog, Pikchur & Posterous. Tweetdeck, on the other hand, just added YFrog as the extra image sharing service.
5. Support Multiple Accounts:
All of these 3 desktop clients are now supporting multiple Twitter accounts. While Seesmic Desktop & Tweetdeck could have as many Twitter accounts created and interchangeable whenever necessary, Twhirl looks slightly distracting to have all accounts splattering all over your PC desktop.
6. Facebook Account Integration:
Facebook is EVERYWHERE nowadays. Seesmic Desktop and Tweetdeck are two of the lucky picks that own this functionality.
7. Assign Groups for Tweeters:
Both Tweetdeck & Seesmic Desktop are preferred choices as all groups are retrievable after re-login the applications. Tweetdeck has a slight edge over Seesmic Desktop because the groups or saved columns could be synced via a pre-registered Tweetdeck account (your email). That means you could have the equal column settings on any other PCs you’re working on.
8. Tweetshrink:
A life saver for lengthy messages. Seesmic Desktop has just added this feature on 23rd May, 2009.
9. Scan & Filter Keyword Search:
Too many tweets flooding in and you’ve been missing out the juicy news! Try the ‘Filter’ option that works similarily to ‘CTRL+F’ of your PC and trace back the missing tweet, or following up a conversation. It is available in both Twhirl and Tweetdeck. But, allow me to give Tweetdeck more credit than the rest, as the ‘Filter’ is built-in EACH column! How cool is that.
10. Preview Pictures / Long URLs before Navigate to web pages:
Tweetdeck is the sole winner in this category as it provides the preview feature to make sure the validity of the shortened URL & Twitpic source.
11. Other Special Features:
And there’s so much more in each desktop client!
Now you understand why we make a fuss about these twitter desktop clients. Aren’t they fascinating? If you have yet to use any, please try. You will be amazed how it saves your time, and makes your tweeting life much easier and organized. Power users should definitely give Seesmic Desktop or Tweetdeck a run through.
Please share with us…
Which is your favourite Twitter desktop client? Share with us why you chose it and did it make a difference in your tweeting experience? Love to hear from you.
Please Retweet,I’ll be Forever Grateful. Thanks! ^^
If you happen to enjoy this post, do subscribe via RSS Feed or email so you won’t miss the next post. Thanks for reading. ^^
Copyright © 2009 by Wong Ching Ya, All Rights Reserved, “The Best of Twitter Desktop Clients – Secrets Revealed! “
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Hi wchingya,
Nice review.
What would be really nice would be a portable twitter “desktop” client. The market exists – think of how many people work on computers which don’t allow any application installation.
Any developers out there listening?
Alec
Very comprehensive review Ching Ya. I’m now addicted to Seesmic Desktop, no matter what anybody says about others.
Your twhirl addiction was clearly evident when you switched back to it few days back
Welcome Alec,great to have you here.
I wonder if you consider iPhone + Twitter apps a type of portable client? If not mistaken, there’s one called MacLounge that works on both Mac OS and iPhone; also Twitterrific. Or do you mean a gadget that works solely as a Twitter Desktop Client? Possible. Let’s just hope Twitter Frenzy will still be going on for the next consecutive years. ^^
Thank you so much for your comment, Alec. Appreciate it.
Hi Rajeev,
Thank you so much for your Retweet and your willingness to drop a few words despite being busy.
ha.. I’m in between Twhirl and Seesmic Desktop really. Twhirl has been a great companion since started and the only client I’ve got in office so naturally you’ll see more of it. ^^ May need to advance to Seesmic Desktop for a proper following management.
Thanks to this post, otherwise I won’t be having the chance of testing out Tweetdeck at all. =P
+1 Seesmic
Hi once again you have amazed me with another comprehensive post! Thanks for the info… I have only used Tweetdeck and thought it was the best thing ever when I first started with it. I must give the others a whirl now!
Ching Ya, this review comes at a great time! I’m playing around with TweetDeck and Twhirl and was wondering what Seesmic has to offer.
Looks like I’ll be sticking to the two that I have. I primarily use TweetDeck, but I love using Twhirl to check on my other account.
By the way, I LOVE the visuals! Thanks for taking the time to do those up.
Cheers,
Mitch
Great review! How about Tweetie. I thought it’s very nice too
Hey Ching,
I have been going through all your posts about twitter and tweets and trying to understand things… Bit.ly was really great… plan to use it more often…
I am trying things one by one…
Hey I changed over to a new theme as the previous one was giving me a bit of trouble and also there is an award waiting for you a couple of posts back
Hi Michelle,
So nice to see you again! ^^
Tweetdeck is equally impressive. I’m in favour of its variety of services and filter ability. Never tried, never know.
Hey there, Mukund,
Great to see you. Hope you’re doing well in work and writings. No problem, take your time and if you have anything, just pop up the question. Will try to assist as much as possible. ^^
Oh, thank you so much! Will definitely head over for a scoop. Very generous of you. Appreciate your support!
Welcome Daniel,
Thank you so much. Simple and straight to the point. =)
Hi Mitch,
It’s a pleasure to have you here. Thank you for sharing your opinion with us. I agree, Twhirl could work well with any advanced clients such as Seesmic Desktop or Tweetdeck. Just like Mintblogger pointed out, I’m still a fan of Twhirl ever since.
Hi HK,
Thank you for dropping by.
You’ve brought up a really good point. Since I’m not a Mac user (as much I’d like to be one ^^), the desktop clients above are favourable choices for IE users.
Seems to me Tweetie is relevant and the interface is equally impressive. I didn’t have the chance to try it, but perhaps by gathering proper info/reviews hopefully I could cater for Mac readers as well. Pardon my limitations, but thank you so much for reminding me. Will try my best.
PS: Thanks for leaving your link, now I finally know who you are. ^^ It’s an honour.
Now that I’m working with my own Twitter account plus one for my work, I think I’ll have to jump into the desktop clients. Otherwise, I’ll keep having to sign in, sign out, and try not get confused as to which one I am in. This is a great review of the top tools out there!
~ Kristi
Hi Kristi,
Sounds like a plan! Seesmic Desktop would be a great assistant for multi accounts.
Do let us know your feedback on the clients after trial. ^^
Well, lovely Ching Ya, I am actually on Tweetdeck now. Big steps for me! Since it is my only experience so far, I have nothing to compare it to. And I’ve only been on it maybe 10 minutes in two weeks.
I did a reTweet a while ago. That was a first for me. It took a lot of energy out of me, I think I have to go lie down now.
Good night!
Hi dear Jannie,
I’m so glad you are having a blast with your Tweetdeck. ha.. no worries, by the time you discovered all the hidden gems in it, you might even need to schedule your sleep hours over it.
On the other hand, it’s better to keep the tweeting a reasonable pace. I’m (selfishly) still hoping to hear/read more of your creative works, you know. ^^
Take care, Jannie. Chat soon.
Excellent post – As a visual person I especially appreciate all the great tables! I’d tried Tweetdeck before but am looking forward to giving Seesmic Desktop a try this weekend.
Welcome MiscBytes,
It’s an absolute pleasure to have you here. Thank you for your compliments and happy that you loving the tables as well. Hope to see you again! ^^
Hi, I’m back!
You mean more of my creative works on my blog or on Twitter?
xo
Oh, your blog of course. ^^
Come to think of it, have you been using Twitter to share your work/music with others? Should give it a try.
Wow Ching Ya you are AWESOME! Oh no, my brain is on overload now… Too much information… Even my big brain can’t handle it… Gotta digest a little bit at a time…
Hi wchingya,
These posts are always very informative. I need to start putting some of this to work for me. And thanks for the lovely comments.
Hi Charles,
Take a deep breath.. No worries, just take your time. Hope the illustrations help a bit. ^^
Hi Salute,
You’re most welcome. The pleasure is all mine. Take care. =)
You are quickly becoming a twitter expert
Great work and you do a wonderful job of putting the information out there in an easy to understand manner. Good luck and I hope all is going well with you.
That was a pretty thorough look and it really help me realize that using tweetdeck is my best choice
Hi Lilymom,
It's so nice to see you! It has been quite awhile since we last chatted. How've you been? Feels like giving you a big hug! ^^
Oh, I'm no expert. Just someone who tries to understand and share what I've learnt. If the info could help someone to make better and faster decisions, then it'll make my day.
Hi stratosg,
The first choice is always the best, isn't it? ^^ Good for you.
i am using Spaz (http://funkatron.com/spaz) cause supports themes as well.
Hi wongsk,
Thanks for your suggestion. I've never tried Spaz before, perhaps I'll give it a run through as well.
Are there any special features that Spaz owned that have yet mentioned above in the post?
I'm using Twhirl actually since i'm a big fan of AIR runtime. But it has been giving me this irritating security certificate issues to the stage that I finally stop using it in favor of….the traditional twitter.com =_=
Hi Alvin,
Interesting. That problem has never occurred to me before, I wonder what's causing it? Well, if you are not a heavy Tweeter, web interface could work just as well.
I'm using Twhirl most of the time, due to less memory it consumes comparing to other desktop clients. I'm a huge fan of Seesmic Desktop, however it hanged sometimes during the operation. Maybe it's time to upgrade my laptop…sign..
Thanks for your comment.
I've heard of tweet deck from somewhere else as well..
You've done a very comprehensive review of these three desktop twitter apps
Keep up the good work and yeah.. I still need to try tweetdeck
Cheers
Sandeep
Thanks Sandeep.
Frankly, Tweetdeck is equally impressive. I think there's no winner in this case. These desktop clients are bound to impress somebody according to their own preferences. The best way is to know their unique features and try them out. Welcome back anytime to share your feedback on Tweetdeck. ^^
Hi Ching,
Great post! I've already forwarded it to a friend who's new to Twitter. One comment about Tweetdeck- though the notifications are monotonous, this is easily remedied by subscribing to topify.com. Topify sends follower notifications in place of any desktop client and the notifications include more in-depth information about the follower than Tweetdeck does – a bio, last tweets, # followers, # follow. And it's not monotonous.
Great post, and love the blog!
Dear Debra,
Thank you so much for the suggestion. I've heard some good things about topify before this as well, and it works at its best for followers notifications and their details.
By 'monotonous notification' in Tweetdeck, I actually meant the tone/sound the client produces during replies/DMs from our twitter friends. ^^ In case we need to be away sometimes from the desktop, we could only follow up the tweets dedicated to us by constantly checking on the replies columns to make sure; on the other hand Twhirl & Seesmic Desktop differentiate the notification sound between general tweets and replies for us.
Thank you Debra for dropping by, I really appreciate your visit. ^^
Awesome review. I had been using Tweetdeck for sometime, but I think I'm going to try Seesmic Desktop anytime this week.
I had been a user of Twhirl too, but Tweetdeck is far better to me.
Hi Gem,
Thank you for dropping by. That's a good idea. By trying out the app, you will be able to realize which works well for you. ^^ Would love to hear your feedback after the Seesmic Desktop try-out.
Nice side-by-side comparisons! I’ve tried TweetDeck, SeesmicDesktop and DestroyTwitter as my Twitter clients. Made a review post each but so far I’m more towards picking DestroyTwitter
.-= Michael Aulia´s last blog ..Acronis Online Backup Beta Registration =-.
Michael,
Thanks for dropping by. I appreciate you sharing the use of DestroyTwitter. As a Twitter client it sure has a catchy name. Will need to check that one out.
Great! thanx for that overview, i searches a new solution for me to manage multible accounts-tweetdeck will do the job best!
Hi webdesign nürnberg,
It’s a pleasure to welcome you here! I’m glad you find the post useful. I’m impressed with Tweetdeck’s newly added multiple accounts too. Hope they’ll keep up the good work.
Hi CY,
amazing. nice post. i’m currently working on FB Desktop Client, will try to integrate with the latest social network & media too. seems i’m lack of free times, so hope that will really coming out with something (initial design is done). also, hopefully will make it portable in the future with encrypted database to store the information when bring your usb pen drive around.
That’s amazing Eric!
I’m sure with your ability you can definitely nail it. Be sure to notify me if it’s out. I don’t mind do a review for it too, sounds pretty handy. ^^ You go for it pal!
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