Twitter is a web 2.0 site that enables people to read what other users are up to throughout the day. You create short posts (< 160 words) at multiple points throughout the day and any of your friends will automatically get your updates. They enable the use of text messaging or IM clients (GTalk or AIM) or desktop clients (I’m using Twitteroo) to post your updates; or you can post through their website, which is pretty inconvenient for something that’s supposed to be fast and easy.
What’s the point? I don’t know exactly. It’s fun; I like reading other people’s blurbs and it’s cool to see what some of the alpha geeks are doing throughout the day. I only started seriously posting yesterday, so I can’t speak from tons of experience, but it seems to be a nice way to vent frustrations to others who probably understand what you’re going through. It’s also a nice way to build connections and eventually could be a good way to meet and talk with other people in your field, if they make it easier to find other users.
Which brings me to my suggestion. I'd love to see the formation of Twitter groups, where users can post to members of a group (perhaps something like #RubyDevelopers) when they have an update that pertains to the group topic. Perhaps this goes against the original of Twitter being a simple way for people to communicate, but I think it would be a great way to meet and communicate with different people with your particular interests. Any thoughts on this?