What is Twitter?
Twitter is a tool designed to answer one question "What are you doing?" Some call it "micro blogging" or "blogging for the ADD," but I like to think of it as a global chat. It's a way for you to keep up with others, get to know people, and expand your network.
The concept is:
- You sign up.
- You follow people and read their "tweets" (a message on Twitter).
- People follow you and read your tweets.
What is Pidgin?
Pidgin, formerly known as "Gaim", is a multi-protocol Instant Messaging client that allows you to use all of your IM accounts at once.
For example, if you have a GTalk account, you can use Pidgin as you IM client.
<Random side story>
For a long time I used Trillian and my multi-protocol IMer but certain features you have to pay for, like XMPP. At the same time I was looking for a portable IM'er (I'm a portable app
nut, but that's for another post). Then I came across Pidgin Portable and I was sold. (Later "Unofficial" versions can be located at Vane Parole)
</ Random side story>
Where the two shall meet!
In Twitter under "Settings > Phone & IM"
Twitter can send tweets to three IM account types that support XMPP (GTalk, LiveJournal, Jabber).
A couple of pitfalls.
Twitter only allows 140 characters on each tweet. Pidgin, out of the box, doesn't count characters. However, you can add the Character Counting plug-in.
If you have an away message up, and you get a tweet, Pidgin will auto tweet back with your away message.
Final Thoughts
I think the combination is quite nice. There are richer Twitter clients out there, but for what I need Pidgin serves me well.
Come children, follow me into a brave new world of communication, and addiction.
