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This app brings the popular social media network to the Windows platform

This app brings the popular social media network to the Windows platform

Vote: (1,424 votes)

Program license: Free

Developer: Twitter Inc.

Version: 7.0.1.0

Works under: Windows

Also available for Mac Android

Vote:

Program license

(1,424 votes)

Free

Developer

Version

Twitter Inc.

7.0.1.0

Works under:

Also available for

Windows

Mac Android

Pros

  • Sending tweets is easy, and the App has made a number of improvements to make it even easier to send an array of content within each tweet.
  • The format of the App allows for surprisingly in-depth conversations and exchanges, enabling information to spread across the globe.
  • Twitter continues to innovate, such as with its recent addition of "Fleets," which are disappearing tweets. The new Fleet option is viewed as an effort to move in on Snapchat's traditional realm.
  • Twitter has proven itself to be wildly successful at getting out information about real-world events, helping reports and members of the government communicate with the public at large.

Cons

  • Twitter has been repeatedly criticized for its relative lack of parental controls or moderation, much of which has led to online and real-world harassments, threats, and even violence.
  • Like other social networks, there is no way to confirm the veracity of the content of tweets. This has led to extensive use of Twitter when it comes to the spread of false information.

Twitter is one of the oldest and most popular social networking apps available today. It is a microblogging platform, allowing users to write tweets of up to 280 characters while also sharing content from other Twitter users. The app has a wide range of potential uses, including the ability to share useful content, videos, pics, and more. Users can develop devoted fan-bases based on the insight they share.

Twitter is largely thought of as a mobile app, but it also has very powerful and popular uses from computers. At the moment, Twitter has 330 million users, with 145 million using the app on at least a daily basis. The app has been heavily involved in the communication of information, with its use going as far as to help countries in revolution coordinate their activities and protests.

How Tweeting Works

Users can send out a tweet of up to 280 characters, per tweet. As long as a user doesn't have their privacy set to private, the tweet can be viewed or accessed by anyone in the world. However, it will appear in the Twitter feed of anyone who is "followed" by the user who sent the tweet.

While tweets are limited to 280 characters - a doubling of size from a few years ago, when tweets were 140 characters - there are other options for how to send a tweet. Users can respond to their own tweets and create a longer Twitter thread. Users can also upload pictures or videos from their own devices. Users can also tweet websites, other social media posts, or links. Recent additions also allow users to start a livestream that is visible via Twitter.

When a user first logs into Twitter, they have the option of setting up a limited profile. This contains their name, a brief biography, a website, and two pictures.

Options once a tweet has been sent

If someone likes a Tweet or has something additional to say, they have numerous options. First, they can publicly respond to the sender and ask a question or make a comment. They can retweet a tweet, meaning that they send it out under their own Twitter name. Under the right set of circumstances, this can help a tweet go viral. Users can also quote tweet a tweet, meaning that they retweet it, but add their own commentary. If someone really likes a tweet or wants to return to it later, they can favorite the tweet, saving it in a separate location.

Individuals also have the option of privately messaging other users, known as a "Direct Message." The content of this message is not seen by anyone else.

Finding Others

Users can use a search function to find other users. They can also use Hashtags to find tweets about certain content. Indeed, Twitter was one of the first social networks to popularize the use of hashtags.

Users can easily find people they like via the search function or by checking out the followers of accounts they like. From there, clicking the "follow" button will enable a user to see someone else's tweet. A notification will also go out to the individual who has been followed, potentially allowing that person to "follow back."

Like other social networks, Twitter takes advantage of algorithms to help users identify other accounts they may like. Twitter also has a robust advertising system that can be precisely targeted to users based on their demographic info, interests, and types of accounts they follow. Many celebrities have seen their images buttressed based on their use of Twitter, and others in government, including Donald Trump, have seen their careers made by their Twitter use.

Controversies

Like all social networks, Twitter is not without extensive controversy. For example, it is far too easy for malevolent actors to create Twitter bots. These fake accounts can be used to amplify the message of someone else, making it appear as if that message has more strength than it really does. Such techniques have been used by many hackers, and even state actors, like Russia.

A newer controversy has popped up with the constant tweeting of President Donald Trump. Commenters across the political spectrum - including the President - have noted that his use of Twitter to control the media narrative and inform his supporters was largely responsible for his success. However, he has repeatedly used the medium to attack others, encourage violence, and lie about the status of the Presidential election. Twitter only recently began adding warning labels to some of the President's tweets, but the damage has been done, with many arguing that Trump's tweets - and the medium's largely hands-off approach - have irreparably damaged American democracy.

Twitter has also been attacked for its relatively hands-off approach to harassment and intimidation. Many Twitter users have attempted to use the in-network options to report instances of harassment, threats, or racial insults, only to find that their reported content did not violate Twitter's terms of use - despite the clear appearance that the behavior did just that.

Unlike most social networks, Twitter allows adult content. This has led to some criticism for the ease in which individuals - including minors - can potentially access pornography.

Pros

  • Sending tweets is easy, and the App has made a number of improvements to make it even easier to send an array of content within each tweet.
  • The format of the App allows for surprisingly in-depth conversations and exchanges, enabling information to spread across the globe.
  • Twitter continues to innovate, such as with its recent addition of "Fleets," which are disappearing tweets. The new Fleet option is viewed as an effort to move in on Snapchat's traditional realm.
  • Twitter has proven itself to be wildly successful at getting out information about real-world events, helping reports and members of the government communicate with the public at large.

Cons

  • Twitter has been repeatedly criticized for its relative lack of parental controls or moderation, much of which has led to online and real-world harassments, threats, and even violence.
  • Like other social networks, there is no way to confirm the veracity of the content of tweets. This has led to extensive use of Twitter when it comes to the spread of false information.