Twitter: the handy little dictionary
Twitter is a tool created on March 21, 2006 to send micro-messages of 140 characters or less.
In this section:
#, the HashTag
The hash character (or hashtag in English) # is used on Twitter to create a thematic TweetList.
It can be used during an event, for example, during the last Nuit Blanche Parisienne, all tweets containing the hashtag #nb15 were automatically integrated into a TL which only grouped tweets evoking the event: comments, photos, items, etc.
@, the mention the reference
The at sign is used on Twitter to mention another user.
Its use has two effects:
- It creates a link to the profile of the tweeter quoted from your profile.
- It notifies the person mentioned about your tweet.
Your tweet automatically appears on your profile and on the recipient's dashboard, in their "mentions" list. You have the same list, which lists all the tweets where you have been mentioned.
DM (or Direct Message or Private Message)
Private message readable only by you and the Twittos recipient (or sender).
For two Twittos to be able to send each other a DM, they must follow each other reciprocally.
#FF (or Follow Friday)
Every Friday, present your favorite tweeters by mentioning them @ on the hashtag #FF, in order to make them known to the whole world. Often, they'll reciprocate and feature you in their own #FFs, which will maximize your chances of being seen…and followed.
Followers
Your "followers" are the Twitter users who follow you.
Following
Your “followings” are the Twitter users you follow.
" I like "
This is the same “like” as on Facebook. All of a tweeter's “likes” are accessible from their profile.
Tweet
A tweet is simply a message posted on Twitter.Tweet means bird chirping, hence the logo… Not to be confused with a twit, which means “moron” in English.
Tweet
The act of tweeting.
Tweet List (or TL)
This is the list of all the tweets of the tweeters you follow (your “followings”).
Your own tweets therefore appear in the TL of your followers. This is the “news feed”.
Any subscriber to Twitter is a tweeter.
RT (or re-tweet)
RT is used to share with your followers a tweet that you find interesting. They can in turn re-tweet the tweet in question.