Thursday February 09 2012
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| Acting like a Twitter | Send to a friend |
| Written by Rahul Odedra | |||||
| Thursday, 05 February 2009 14:25 | |||||
These days we feel the need to communicate with everyone around us. In the past long distance communication was expensive and only used for sending messages that others actually needed to hear. Even posting a letter requires thought and effort. Services like Twitter and Facebook, on the other hand, can seem a little pointless sometimes, recording every moment in some nobody's boring life.
A history of modern communication could read a little like: 1808: send out a load of carrier pigeons to let people know something really important: JAMES MADISON ELECTED PRESIDENT.
The BBC recently used Twitter updates from Mumbai residents to let readers of its website know the latest news from India during the terrorist attacks, and in America, President-Elect Barack Obama was able to build up a huge army of followers during the campaign. So what exactly is Twitter? On its own website, it is described as a way of letting friends know what you are doing. Although similar to Facebook statuses, the difference is the way in which it works with mobile devices: users can update their own status or receive others' through text message, or using the mobile web. The rise of smart phones such as the iPhone and the T-Mobile G1 has made this even easier with dedicated applications for twittering. In recent months, a growing number of celebrities seem to have got the Twitter bug. Stephen Fry, well known for being a technophile, often updates his twitter feed dozens of times a day. His posts range from letting us know his views on the latest mobile phones, to commenting on Norwich City FC. Lance Armstrong, the seven-time Tour de France winner, also regularly updates from his Blackberry, and recently used Twitter to let the world know he was definitely going to enter the race once again in 2009. However, the ever-present pitfalls of Web 2.0 have also plagued Twitter. In the last few weeks followers, including prominent blogger and Twitterer Iain Dale, were duped by someone purporting to be Tony Benn, while a number of media outlets also attributed quotes to Kanye West after seeing them on a Twitter account under his name. As with Facebook and MySpace, enterprising individuals have been able to pose as celebrities with little difficulty. Quick guide to Twittering
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News In Brief
| Research grants announcedKingston University last week received a 5.3% increase in its government grant for research and teaching. The Higher Education Funding Council for England announced that Kingston would receive £73.3m in 2009/10. The average national increase was 4%, while a number of universities, including the London School of Economics, saw their funding reduced. |
| Kingston student named Microsoft 'Intern of the Year'A Kingston student won Microsoft’s 'Intern of the Year' award after a process he created was used by the computer giant’s worldwide sales force. George Avlastimovas, a Business Information Technology student, came up with a new form for staff requesting bonuses while on a placement as part of his course. He said that the internship gave him “a fantastic opportunity to shape and mould the role to suit my skills.” |
| Bring your own mugA money saving scheme has been extended to the Penryhn Road campus. Lecturers and students who bring their own mug to the Picton Room will receive a 5p discount off any hot drink. The scheme, already trialling at Kingston Hill, was introduced in a bid to encourage sustainability and cut back on packaging produced by the university. If successful, it will be extended to all the foodstores. |
| Cheeky cat in hallsGorgeous George the cat is much loved and petted by the residents and staff at Middle Mill Halls, but, his cheeky antics have got him into trouble. He can often be found pacing the car park meowing at passers by, lounging in reception or nipping into halls for extra strokes. However, halls management are now concerned that this felicitous feline is breaching the licence and have put up a sign asking students to prevent him sneaking into bedrooms and becoming overfed. |
| Honorary degree for leading luvvieOne of the leading lights behind the Rose Theatre received an honorary degree from Kingston University last month in the building he helped to create.Robin Hutchinson, 50, worked for over 25 years to bring the theatre to reality. The former director of communications and fundraising for Guide Dogs for the Blind said: “To be recognised by Kingston University was a wonderful honour and to receive it at The Rose was incredibly special.”Click here for more. |
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