There have been continuous debates on how one shall use automated messaging in their networks. Having bombarded by auto-direct messages before I was never too keen into making this part of our discussions here. However, recently I was triggered to view it differently because I’ve seen how automatic scheduling can be a blessing to some when it is used wisely in social networking. After giving this a good thought then it hits me…

It’s All About Personal Ethics

Let’s try look at it this way…

Link droppers constantly messed up our comment boards, did it stop us from commenting seriously? No, it didn’t.

Spam bots misuse Twitter to spam our streams with useless info, did we stop using Twitter then? No, we didn’t.

Some said do-follow will encourage spamming on blogs, does it mean do-follow blog directory is to be taken down? Heck no!

Seriously, if one tends to misuse the scheduling feature solely for Me!Me!Me factor, there’s much to concern about his or her network ethics. Blaming the application for the wrongdoings is far fetched. Since personal reputation is at risk here so I wouldn’t suggest you to jump into scheduling whirlpool before knowing what to expect.

Are We Encouraged to Try Automated Status Updates?

Again, we can’t control how one is running his social networks. Automated Status Updates is a feature, a CHOICE, not a must. Don’t use it if you don’t need it; but if you insist, then take responsibility and revise your purpose before doing so. Bear in mind that if you despise spammers, people will too. Knowing what to avoid and don’t get dependent on it will be a good start.

I have met several people who are using status-scheduling under special circumstances. I didn’t bias to shut them out before I get to know them better in person. They have the decency to not overuse but keep everything moderated. I agree that it helps in both productivity and online presence. It suits their purposes well and so far, no one is complaining.

So what else you need to consider before using automatic status updates?

6 Points To Ponder Before Using Automatic Status Updates

1. Moderate Your Scheduled Status Updates

More doesn’t mean better. Recurring updates are to be handled with care or it will hurt badly. Do not suffocate your followers with endless info, separate them into different time slots if must. It’s tiresome to filter our Twitter streams and live feeds, don’t make us annoyed and shut you down for good. We’re not saying you can’t promote your own stuffs, but keep them moderated at all times. Here’s a clear example by Chris Garrett just how ugly it can get in real life.

2. Don’t Put Others’ Reputations At Risk Just Because You Can’t Follow the Rules

Some people are using it in special circumstances: getting messages across about rescheduling a tweetup, alerting others to beware account impersonations, call to actions in meaningful causes etc. Just because you’re desperately to be heard, sabotaging your chance with repeating self-centered updates can alter people’s judgments for both the application and the person who uses it. Do not force the spamming marker to be placed on others simply because you can’t follow the rules.

3. Avoid Self-Promoting Link(s) in First Direct Message to New Friend or Fan

It’s the same nature why people dislike salesmen, they have only one purpose – to sell. If you’re not, why rushing to push products? Take time to engage, find out what your followers truly like. Wouldn’t that be a much better approach? Think ahead and don’t limit yourself shortsightedly. Sometimes it’s not just about the revenue, but the word of mouth, long-lasting trust and friendship that worth so much more in social networking. First impression counts, don’t ruin it.

4. Personalize and Edit Your Automatic Status Updates According to Relevancy

Sometimes  a pre-scheduled updates can be outdated or irrelevant. Make corrections and add values to them if needed. It should be as genuine as your other live tweets or news feeds. If the purpose of using online scheduler is for productivity, it shouldn’t be a problem for you are just as enthusiastic to enhance them for more retweets and bookmark-friendly. Make your updates count or no updates at all.

5. Knowing the Acceptance Limit of Your Audiences

Always, the acceptance limit of your followers or fans, not your own. Think on their behalf of how many updates are going their ways and how you shall engage with them during intervals. Many people forgetting the need to follow up and connect but depending lazily on online scheduler. People don’t want to talk or listen to a robot. My advise is, do not schedule too much updates before you  manage to get in and start conversations or reply to a feedback. A stream without engagement is monotonous. That’s the last thing you need in social networking.

6. Personality and Sincerity of Wanting to Connect Should Be Well Delivered

Forget about affiliate links, ‘visit me’ blog links, help-me-to-help-you type of messages. These will turn people off before they get to know you, which is a pity. It’s not too late to change, try apply a mixture of scheduling of post-sharing for blogger friends, collecting data from poll questions dedicated to people from different timezones, offering freebies or job positions that will end someone’s misery. It doesn’t sound all that bad now, does it? Good things do happen if you know when to use automatic status updates, and when to stop.

Special Tip:

You can even add a special hashtag as in offline or a short message indicating you’re currently unavailable for chatting. Making it clear that it’s a good information you think worth a look, even you’re not there in person. In that case, no misunderstandings will put you in a difficult position but people will aware of your absence. Promise to feedback to them when you get online and keep your word. I have yet seen this been done anywhere but thought could be a considerable thing to do.

Now It’s Your Turn…

What advises do you think people need to hear before using automatic status updates? Kindly share your experience and constructive suggestions (no hate messages) in the comments below. We’re in this together to make our network a better and reliable place to be in, encourage correct mindsets and reduce unwanted noise with social media applications.

A review is coming up so stay tuned for next posting.

You know how social media strategists love to talk about branding right? Well, over the months we have discussed about ways to brand ourselves on Twitter with customized Twitter background and bio descriptions. Now MarketMeTweet offers a new alternative to maximize our exposures through tweet-branding. Meet TweetBrand — a handy and effective tool… oh! Did I mention it’s FREE too?

How Does TweetBrand Work?

Let me make this easy for you, noticed the squared area that’s usually filled by Twitter application names like Tweetdeck, Web or API?

Well, not anymore. With TweetBrand you can now place whatever terms you like: organization or company name, your blog name, your niche subjects… anything that will help to attract like-minded audiences. You can predetermine the landing page of the backlink as well ! Here I place ‘Social @ Blogging Tracker’ as my brand name and a mouse click at it will direct people to my blog. Imagine the benefits I will gain from this tiny modification:

• The ability to brand my tweets with a descriptive name. In this case, Social Media & Blogging related subjects are my priorities.

• Increasing exposure with higher chance to meet with like minded individuals or potential clients.

• Clear niche-identification without being intrusive. Followers can click the backlink at will without me DM them to do so.

• Retrieve the backlink and attention you deserved on Twitter.

I was testing out this application two days ago and immediately it was recognized by my Twitter friends. They are wondering how my blog name can appear on all my Twitter status?

Therefore, do not underestimate a minor change for it may do wonders to your business. Your company or organization name can be spotted instantly on various Twitter platforms, let it be web apps or desktop clients. It’s a chance to stand out from your competitors and be ahead of the game.

How To Configure TweetBrand to Brand Your Tweets

Basically, you need to register a new application to retrieve consumer key codes which later be used to activate the tweetbrand installer (adobe air application). The configuration may be a little tricky but if you follow the instructions carefully, you’ll be tweeting from TweetBrand in no time:

1. First you need to sign up here in order to get the free download file. Upon receiving the email, click the link as instructed.

2. You will be asked to sign in to Twitter in order to get your consumer key and secret code.

3. Register a new application while in your Twitter page. Fill up the required details and save it.

4. Once the application is ready, you will be given consumer key & consumer secret code which will be needed during installation (Step no.6).

5. Now you are ready to download TweetBrand. Follow the instructions and proceed until the app is successfully installed to your PC.

6. Login with your TweetBrand registration details. Paste in the consumer key & secret code (from step.4) before integrating your Twitter account(s).

7. Sign in to Twitter and grant access for the application you created. A Twitter Pin number will be displayed. Copy & paste it to the box and hit ‘Apply’ to finalize the process.

8. Now, you can start tweeting with TweetBrand!

Here are several features you should know:

• Paste the long URL in the tweet box and click ‘Tiny URL’ to shorten it (Of course, you are free to use other shortener services as you pleased).
• Tick ‘Replies’ will reveal the conversations directed to your username.
• Tick ‘Friends’ will display the real-time tweets from the people you followed.

Have fun trying out the application and start branding your tweets today! If you’re hoping for more advanced features, you’ll be interested to know about 7 Features to Brand, Market, Manage with MarketMe Tweet.

Now It’s Your Turn…

What’s your opinion about TweetBrand? Do you have other requests to improve this application? Share with us in your comment below.

Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year!

Update: Tweetbrand has been removed from MarketMe Tweet to focus on their main product.

To overlook Twitter Lists is not possible right now. I tend to focus on Google Wave this week but obviously the immunity didn’t work. I have more expectations on Twitter Lists especially after the Seesmic Desktop integration.

Considering how Twitter has evolved, it won’t be long for web developers to come up with numerous applications for Twitter Lists. I can’t help but snoop around and got hold of these 6 Twitter Lists applications to expand your network.

For Network Expansion:
Twitter Lists Search Engines

Ever since Killer Search Apps for a successful Twitter Network, I haven’t been this hyped up about any Twitter-related search tools. I know, a little early for that but fact is, some are just right at our fingertips. You just need to know where to look and how to use it.

A. Listorious

It’s a directory of Twitter Lists where you can search for desired lists based on:

- Most Popular Lists

- A-List or trustworthy lists

- Newest lists

- Top Tags

Use the search box and type the possible list, person or tag. The results displayed are limiting to those who added their list to Listorious. So in order to have the best results, Listorious is encouraging everyone to submit their lists. Just how are we able to do that?

How to Add Your Twitter Lists to Listorious?

1. Go to Add List and grant access to Listorious by signing in to your Twitter account.

2. Enter the URL of your selected list, add descriptions and tags for the accuracy of search results.

3. You will be prompt to publicize your list to your Twitter network upon complete, or not.

4. You’re done! Check your Listorious account and be wowed with the neat Twitter profile, lists curated and lists you’re on.

B. Google Search

Ok, this isn’t actually an ‘exclusive’ Twitter Lists search tool but with a minor tweaking, Google Search can work like a charm ! The idea is to narrow down the search to twitter.com with keywords contained in Twitter Lists. Here’s how:

a. site:twitter.com/*/your keyword

For example, if I’m searching for lists containing the name ‘social media’ in twitter.com, I should type ‘site:twitter.com/*/social media‘ in the search box. The results will show as below:

Too complicated ? Here’s an easier solution:

C. Google Custom Search

Google Custom Search allows you to have the control over how and what to search for — it narrows down your search to limited websites predetermined during the customization. Of course, you need to endure some configuring steps but no pain no gain, right? In this case, I customized a search engine to narrow down my search to Twitter Lists in twitter.com. Instead of the lengthy search terms, now you can type in the keywords straight and get the desired results. Try the Twitter Lists Search Engine below and compare the results with Google Search, are they identical?

For Publicity: Twitter Lists Widget

Allowing you to display selected Twitter Lists with real time streaming. It’s a perfect widget for company to show off their staffs and encourage visitors to follow them on Twitter for updates. This can be a really cool widget if you have a collaborative team on a project – it makes the follow up easier and almost instant. (another alternative is using Tweetgrid with similar effects):

For Alerts: Listiti

[Updated 31/01/2012] No Longer Available
 

When Google Alerts meets Twitter Lists — it’s all about being ahead of the game. Set up or follow the list curated for authority figures in your niche; or even your blogger buddies. Prepare to receive email notification whenever a tweet from chosen list matches your prefixed keywords. Since this service is new, the alert can only be sent hourly.

For Those Lazy for Lists-Making: Conversationlist

–[Updated 15/01/2012] Service is Shutting Down
 

Easily put, Conversationlist is a list consisting of all the people you talked to or mentioned on Twitter. The list is building by itself, daily. Once you stop connecting with someone, he/she will be dropped off the list. If I were you, I’ll start compiling them in own lists as Conversationlist does make the process easier — start with someone you frequently talk to. Here’s 9 Reasons Why You Should Be In Love with Twitter Lists , try to make use of the lists accordingly.

** Updated**

Share Groups of Twitter Users: TweepML

[Updated 31/01/2012] No Longer Available
 

Similar to Listorious, TweepML allows you to create and find lists of users to follow on site. However, there is an extra feature: TweepML provides HTML embedding options for buttons, links and icons. Showcasing your choice of Twitter lists has never been easier! (thanks to Growmap for introducing this app)

To get the list ready simple Register & Create List; then you’ll need to fill up the details as followed, hit ‘Generate TweepML’ and voila!

It’s Up To You Now…

What are your expectations in Twitter Lists and the third party applications that are bound to spring up like mushrooms?

Don’t forget to spread a little love by sharing:

I have to retract my own scheduled post at the last minute for this exciting news!

There has been a wild guess going on between Tweetdeck and Seesmic Desktop on who will launch the FIRST Twitter Lists integration? I was ecstatic to learn about Seesmic determination to be ahead of the game with Twitter Lists ! The Seesmic founder, Loic Le Meur also happily announced through Twitter that Seesmic Web will have the same added feature if not by this week, then early next.

So now…

What will Twitter Lists look like in your desktop client?

The Userlists option will be placed at the sidebar of Seesmic Desktop, between Pages & saved Searches. Soon, it will update with your current configured Twitter Lists and those you subscribed to. Here’s an overview:

Clearly, you can identify the differences between yours and others’ lists by :

• Username Displayed

• Color Differences: blue indicates your created list while grey shows the subscribed lists.

Once you click on them, Voila ! You have them displayed in columns for viewing pleasure. To add a Twitter user to existing lists is do-able on Seesmic Desktop. Here’s how:

1. Right click on the Twitter user to display the command box. Select ‘Add To Userlist‘.

2. In the dropdown menu, assign the List for your friend and click OK. You’re done !

Neither list-creation nor user-removal is doable on Seesmic Desktop for the time being, but I’m not complaining.

Want to be among the early birds to test out this new feature in Seesmic Desktop? Sign up here and wait for the new release to be sent to you.

If you’re wondering what’s the fuss with Twitter Lists:

It’s a new way to organize your Twitter account by creating custom groups. You can assign any names you prefer and categorized your Twitter friends accordingly. For me I think it’s necessary to have one fixed site to maintain all our groups, regardless what client we’re using.

Now why is this encouraged?

• To acknowledge your friends within your network

• To discover and reconnect with long lost users in your list

• For the benefits of marketing, projects & business ventures: potential customers/workforce in groups

• Clear the clutter and manage your follow ups

• More more more … that’s for you to find out.

Read further about Twitter Lists at Twitter Lists 101 & Let Me Add You To My Twitter List. Enjoy the insights!

Have you started with Twitter Lists yet? Do you think the integration is necessary? Voice it up in the comments and don’t forget to share this fantastic news with others! ^^

Having trouble separating social lives between leisure and work? Let Facebook Pages help you out.

I’m on Facebook Page for days now and glad that I don’t have to bombard my own profile site with updates my friends find annoyed *chuckle*. But being active on Twitter, wouldn’t it be fantastic if we get to publish selective tweets between personal and Facebook Pages? Good thing that’s now doable in various Twitter platforms and I’m going to show you how.

3 Easy Ways to Share Selective Tweets on Facebook Pages

Tweetdeck (v0.30.5)

1. Go To Tweetdeck Settings > Accounts > Add New Account > Add Your Facebook account.

You will prompt to add your Facebook Pages as well. Isn’t that convenient?

2. Approve the authorization to connect with Facebook by logging in.

3. Tweetdeck will display all Facebook Pages that you are administrated.

Pick either or all for your preferences; publish posts or comments without repeated logins:

4. Now your can update your Facebook account or Page(s) via Tweetdeck.

Seesmic Desktop (v0.6.2)

1. Go to Control Panel > Accounts > Click the ‘+’ sign & Add your Facebook account.

2. Click at the newly added Facebook account, you’re optional to have either or both included for:

a. Administered pages – Facebook Pages you’re an admin of.

b. Fan Pages – Pages you followed.

3. Make your selections after you’ve authorized and integrated Facebook Pages with your Seesmic Desktop.

4. Configure the Extended Permissions to have posts/comments published via Seesmic Desktop without repeated prompting.

5. There! Add as many Facebook Pages you like and start your selective tweeting.

Twitter Web Page Interface

If your computer system is not compatible to either one of the desktop client above, Facebook has a plugin that’ll work just fine with Twitter web page interface. Introducing:

Selective Twitter Status – choose particular tweets to be published on either Facebook profile or Fan Pages. Make sure your Twitter updates are NOT protected on Twitter. Put ‘#fb‘ at the end of each selected tweet as shown below:

a. Put #fb at the end of your tweet, for example–
Your message here http://your link #fb

b. have #fb followed by a space then a link, for example–
Your message here #fb http://your link

Add the Selective Twitter Status to your application. Remember to click ‘Add to Page’ first before proceeding to your Facebook Pages setup.

During the configuration, you can have either Your Profile or Your Fan Page(s) to integrate with Twitter account. We’ll look at the Fan Page configuration first:

1. Go to ‘Your Fan Pages‘. Only pages you’re an admin of will be displayed. Make your pick.

2. Type in your Twitter username > Save Changes.

3. In order to have BOTH Fan Page and personal account compatible with the plugin, you need to grant permission for Fan Page first before doing the same for profile.

4. After ‘Grant Permission‘, you’ll be directed to allow status updates as illustrated.

Choose your Fan Page first and click ‘Allow Status Updates‘ before you do the same for your profile page.

But make sure you have filled in your Twitter name first before authorization.

5. This is how the updates will appear in Fan Pages:

Isn’t it great? Problems solved! Now you can post however and whatever you wish interchanging your Facebook personal account and Fan Pages.

Recommended Read: Use Google Reader to Import selective Twitter Favorites to Facebook Page

It’s Your Turn To Share

What other difficulties you faced while trying to integrate social media with one another? Do share your thoughts. And if you’re on Facebook, why not say hi and let’s connect at Facebook Page.

Can you do me a little favor to share this post with your network? ^^

Just the other day, I received a Twitter DM :

I’m not familiar with the user, also a bit skeptic towards the link. Normally I would just pass but my curiosity prompt me to dig deeper. It doesn’t take long to reveal the actual location, yeah, some money-making site. Not a fan so let’s end the story here. But I got a valuable lesson that day, know what it is?

Spam, Phishing & Malware Triggered Links in Disguise!

Oh yes, malicious sites transforming themselves into friendly little shortened URLs, waiting to be clicked! Have you not noticed the recent phishing and hijacking cases via click-fraud?? Nah.. it doesn’t seem like something that’ll happen to us, right? WRONG! I don’t know about you, but I find myself getting a little too comfortable with the links sending my way. I figured there’s a need to spread a little awareness about such matter.

No Worries! I Know How To Deal With It! (but.. Are You??)

So we were told that Twitter is going to block those bad URLs. Great effort, but doesn’t mean we should take this lightly. If you were like me, once thought the below methods are enough to solve our problems than think again:

a. Twitter Search Expand Feature

We LOVE the ‘expand’ feature! Safe and ease to use. Blame me for being the party pooper but not all URL shorteners could be revealed. Don’t believe me? try them out:

Cli.gs / Tr.im / Su.pr / Digg.com / Ow.ly / Tweak.tk

b. Tweetdeck URL Preview Feature

Tweetdeck allows previewing for the link before navigates. Looks safe enough, but what if the link was converted from another shortened URL? It will be displayed as above, the original site address is untraceable, unless you check it manually.

c. FriendFeed Shows Complete URLs

This is much better. FriendFeed shows the complete URLs for all the updates. But what if the link was sent to you via Twitter’s Direct Message? It won’t be shown in the public conversation. How do you go from there? Obviously we need more help than we think.

12 Ways To Expand/Preview Suspicious Shortened URLs

Call me busybody, but I actually checked these 12 apps for the task with below URL Shorteners, sorry I can’t cover ALL that existed. Here’s the overall results I got:

I grouped the URL Shorteners for easier explanations:

Category A (common) :   tinyurl, bit.ly, cli.gs, tr.im, is.gd

Category B (new/framed etc) :   su.pr, digg, owly, tweak.tk

**well what do you know, seems like my previous blog posts still appear in good old Blogger template **

i) Powerful Pack (GREEN): Detectable for ALL category A & B.

#1 PrevURL

**Update: The domain is no longer available. Service terminated.**

• thumbnail to preview the original web page.
• comes with ‘search plugin’ to be installed on your browser. Just copy and paste the shortened URL in the box and hit ‘search’to be brought to the PrevURL site.
  

#2 Longurl

• thumbnail to preview web page.
• plugin available for Firefox: Long URL Mobile expander 2.0.0 (will be discussed in plugin section later).

#3 TheRealURL

• no thumbnail or plugin yet works like a charm. Simple and easy to navigate.

ii) Medium pack (YELLOW): Works perfectly well with category A; minor limitations for B

#4 Sucuri

• no thumbnail previewing.
• special feature: to check whether the real web page is blacklisted via Google Safebrowsing and Siteadvisor.
• has problem detecting Digg.com-shortened URL with question mark ‘?’  in the midst – for example: http://digg.com/d3ym80?t (10/10 trial attempts).

#5 Unshortme

• Simple page layout without preview.
• Unable to detect Ow.ly.

#6 Unshortn

• allows thumbnail preview.
• bookmarklet available. When clicked, all shortenened URLs on that particular page will expand themselves to original web addresses.



• Minor setbacks: To ensure the link converts successfully, preferably paste the shortened URL on top of your web browser then hit ‘Enter’, instead of the ‘Unshorn it’ box’.For Instance: http://unshortn.com/http://su.pr/2gdfR1
• Unable to detect Su.pr.

#7 Urlsnoop

• simple layout with thumbnail preview. No bookmarklet available.
• unable to detect Digg.com

#8 Unshorten

• no plugins or preview feature.
• Unable to retrieve site shortened by Digg.com

#9 ExpandMyURL

• provides bookmarklet on browser: revealing the traceable shortened URLs with green colour. When clicked will redirect to expandmyurl for URL expansion.
  
• Unable to reveal sites shortened by Tweak.tk.

** ExpandMyURL has improved their service to enable shortening for : Su.pr, Ow.ly. A fantastic improvement to promote them from limited to medium pack. Thanks to Alex for the updating mentioned in the comment below. Good job. **

iii) Limited Pack (ORANGE): Works well with Category A; Seriously lacking for B detections.

#10 Untiny

• provides multiple add-ons from bookmarklet, firefox plugin to firefox search.
• unable to retrieve sites from Su.pr, Digg.com

Firefox Plugins:

#11 Long URL Please 0.4.1

• once installed and enabled, reveals the actual location for the shortened URLs. Works perfectly in Twitter, Facebook etc.
• mostly it is effective in expanding Digg.com, but occasionally not.
• unable to retrieve: Tweak.tk

#12 Long URL Mobile expander 2.0.0

• when hover the mouse over the link, actual web address will be revealed.
• unable to retrieve: Su.pr, Tweak.tk.

What About URL converted from URL Shortener:

Original URL detectable for most applications above. Except for these 3: Sucuri, Urlsnoop & Unshortn.

For example, I’ve shrinked the URL using :

http://tinyurl.com/kqocvk , then again, to

http://bit.ly/vZpuf

After tested, here are the results:

Sucuri.net shows tinyurl as original web address

URL Shorteners that allowing preview

Some URL shorteners provide settings to enable preview for their service when activated. For instance: TinyURL and Trunc.it.

So What Are Your Takes?

Did you ever experience any click-frauds? How do you normally deal with suspicious links that sent in your way? Love to hear your thoughts.

Seesmic has just made me a very happy lady!

You’re probably guessing I’m talking about Seesmic Desktop 0.4. I admit the new version is just as impressive, but what I didn’t expect is the launching of Seesmic Browser-based Client! I can’t be thankful enough to Loic Le Meur for announcing the great news 4 days back.

Why I NEED Seesmic’s Browser Client…

I’ve always been a fan of Seesmic ever since the beginning of Twhirl. So, having an upgraded version of Seesmic Desktop 0.3-0.4 installed was no surprise. But as the software requirement increases, along with my bad habit of multitasking with Photoshop CS3 and multi-browsers, it’s not long after I complaint about the lagging problem my laptop had due to low memory. Contributing to this problem is the instability of internet service especially at night, resulting me either tweet (through Twitter main site) or no tweet at all. The cumbersome login/refresh puts me off sometimes, therefore I’ve always hoped for a more intelligent web-based Twitter client, and on 11th July, I literally did the dance of joy! (no, you don’t want to see that)

What is so Freaking AWESOME about Seesmic’s Browser Client?

Let alone the excitement, I will try to be professional here (cough cough) by sharing the 7 Things I Like About Seesmic’s Browser Client :

#1 Single to Multicolumn Layout with Easy Dragging

Seesmic’s Browser Client allows switching between single and multicolumn mode, just like most desktop clients could do. Scroll the bar horizontally across as you enjoy a one-page , long view of all the updates via ‘Timeline’, ‘Mentions’, ‘Sent’, ‘Search terms’ up to as many columns as you prefer. You can even rearrange the columns by drag and drop, how convenient is that!

#2 One Easy-Button Refresh for Real-Time Updates

Seesmic’s Browser Client equips with an instant refresh button for current page viewing without needing to load the entire browser as in Twitter official page. Just give it a click to have real time results shown by yellowish color-indicator that lasts about 5 seconds before it fades off completely.

#3 Space-saving List View Layout

The incoming tweets are displayed in such a way that user can interchange them between list (as shown above) and normal viewing. This is particular handy when I tend to follow up on the updates I missed minutes ago or upon login. There’s a ‘More’ button below in case you wish to go further back to the previous tweets.

#4 Easy Reply & Profile Check within The Conversation Box

By clicking at the single tweet (list or normal view), you will have a drop down menu indicating the below commands:

Curious about certain tweet? Why not give a thorough check on the user profile by hover your mouse over the person’s username and get a clear check on :

Profile: opens up a bio page including amount of followers/following, location, web address and recent updates. There’s an ‘unfollow’ button at the upper right corner just in case you need it.

Message: opens up a new conversation box at the far right of your columns.

#5 Separate Viewing & Easy Follow Ups for Direct Messages

When you click ‘Direct Messages’ at the left taskbar of the web-based client, a separate layout is opened, presenting you a list of DMs and your previous responses to them. This feature makes the DMs traceable so you won’t have to go back and forth, or get lost amidst a private conversation.

But how do you know there is a Direct Message awaits since it’s in a separate layout? There is, in fact, simple indications for unread DMs as shown below:

#6 Saved Key Word Search & Add to Favorites

One of the best features I enjoyed — to be able to save the key search terms and favorite tweets. As Seesmic Browser’s Client is basically connected with Twitter main site for info-sharing purposes, regardless where you have saved the tweets they will be found on both sites. For example, a keyword search saved in Seesmic Browser-based Client will show up on your Twitter site, and vice versa. Same as marking favorite tweets in Seesmic’s Browser Client – simply click on the star indicated to save the particular tweet.

#7 Add Link to your Tweet Using Bit.ly

In case you’re curious about the url shortener, the default service is Bit.ly. No API input is available so although you may not have your tweet stats recorded in your Bit.ly account, you can still follow up on the stats simply search the shortened bit.ly URL at its official page. To me, it’s one of the best traceable url shortener services I prefer apart from su.pr.

The only request I have is the group-saving feature. But I must say this is by far, the best web browser-based Twitter client I’ve seen so far. Especially the save-keyword search ability that connects with the official Twitter page and the traceable DM responses. Bottom line, I’m impressed with my web-based experience with Seesmic. It gives an alternative while promising its users some fantastic features that work similar to any desktop clients. So what’s next for Seesmic? Obviously to go mobile with iPhone, but that’s another story.

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. ^^

Please Retweet if you like this post! Thanks. ^^

Copyright © 2009 by Wong Ching Ya, All Rights Reserved, “7 Things I Like About Seesmic’s Browser Client “

Locations & User Clicks

Showing ‘Best Guess’ a.k.a visitors

Impressive Chart for Aggregated Visitor Locations

3. Bit.ly

Features:

Apart showing the number and source (location & timelines) of clicks, bit.ly allows you to claim and bookmark your tweeted links upon registering a bit.ly account. Extra features including bookmarklet, ‘Conversation’ tracking in Twitter, FriendFeed & page comment for the link itself. Bit.ly is undoubtedly one of the most used URL shorteners, could be found in various desktop clients (Tweedeck, Twhirl, Seesmic Destkop etc); and also used by the popular Trend-tracker, Tweetmeme!

An overview of the bit.ly info

4. Snurl

Features:

Features:

Cli.gs also requires account setup to enable stats tracking. Private analytic data available only for cli.gs account holders. Referrer stats will show whose link sent you the most traffic. Another specialty of cli.gs is that it provides social media tracking for both cli.gs and destination links, meaning you could monitor the response in terms of backlinks, tweets, link-sharing in friendsfeed, comments etc.

records of shortened URLs in cli.gs account

Number of hits shown in graph

Geographical location of the visitors

6. Ow.ly (Hootsuite)

Features:

Stats tracking for Ow.ly could
be done via Hootsuite. It is a powerful web interface that allows user to handle tweeting with multiple profiles, along with pre-scheduling tweeting ability – Tweet Later! Take a peek at the toolbars, you’ll get what I mean:

‘Send Later’ feature in Hootsuite

Hootsuite to manage tweets as in Twitter official page

The Graph shows the amount of clicks for its shortened-URL (ow.ly)

A Lil’ Piece of Advise…
URL Shortener is our handyman, but don’t get too carry away with it though. In my opinion, it is always better to use the original link in online articles or references for they are recognizable. You may think you’re doing the readers some favours by replacing long address like:

ttp://www.wchingya.com/2009/03/10-blogging-attitudes-you-should-learn.html

with ‘http://twitclicks.com/fecu‘–unknown and suspicious. What if someone never heard of twitclicks and goes ‘What on earth is that??’. They just may skip it for fear it it’s an affiliate link or some sort of malicious site that disguises itself in shortened URL! Also, in terms of SEO opportunies, we wouldn’t want to lose any details the link could provide for the search engines.

Further reading~ Do you use URL shorteners? Maybe you should reconsider

Share with us…
Which is your favourite URL shortener service? What aspects you would consider before making your pick? Do you anticipating any further improvements? Share with us your valuable thoughts.

Please Retweet if You Find This Post Useful,thanks!

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Copyright © 2009 by Wong Ching Ya, All Rights Reserved, “‘How To Track Your Retweets In Twitter (pt2): 6 URL Shorteners with Stats Tracking!“

tr.im your URLs
http://tr.im/ [more]

bit.ly, a simple url shortener
http://bit.ly/ [more]

It’s the moment that we’ve been waiting for: The Integration of Facebook account with Twitter, in Seesmic Desktop 0.2.0 release. I was pretty excited about it, and the setup is as easy and convenient as it seems.


First of all, What Is Seesmic Desktop?

Seesmic Desktop is one of the desktop clients for Twitter. What does desktop client do? Instead of us logging in everytime through the Twitter official site, which could be cumbersome sometimes, desktop clients make us life easier by allowing us to tweet over our PC desktop. Think of it as a twitter messenger. Efficient and easy to operate.

Let’s make Twitter + Facebook all in ONE place!
The process is similar to how you setup your Twitter account in Seesmic Desktop:

1. In the configuration bar, go to ‘Accounts‘, click the ‘+‘ to bring up the ‘Add your Facebook account‘ command box.

2. You will be asked to verify your Facebook account by key in your email add & password.

3. Then, the following confirmation boxe(s) will appear for Seesmic to remember your facebook account while allowing status updates etc be done through it.

4. There! You’re good to go. Account switching between Twitter and Facebook is now applicable in Seesmic Desktop. You could even have a split screen for the both.

So here is my most recent status-update for Facebook, via Seesmic.

For those who have yet to try Seesmic Desktop, you can download the application here. Good news is: No compulsory sign-ups for new users to download the latest version.

Other updated features from version 0.1.2 are as follow:

a) Following/Unfollowing Twitter users
b) Larger fonts
c) Ability to favourite tweets & Facebook posts
d) Configuration-shortcut button replacing the search tool (moved to upper right corner)

So, how have you enjoyed your Twitter/Facebook integration so far? Do you have further expectations? Love to hear your thoughts.

Please Retweet if You Find This Post Useful,thanks!

Copyright © 2009 by Wong Ching Ya, All Rights Reserved, “‘Facebook & Twitter: Holding Hands in Seesmic Desktop 0.2.0“