With all the frustration, confusion, and support going towards Twitter this week, a break from Twitter might be just want the doctor ordered. This weekend users have been asking for alternatives to Twitter. In this post we answer that question in a variety of ways. Here's a look at several alternatives to Twitter both online and offline, that will help reduce Twitter's stress levels and temporarily minimize user frustrations.
Here's a brief look into the services that you've recommended to us as alternatives to Twitter:
Pownce
Pownce is a great micro-blogging tool with added functionality that Twitter misses. Extra features include sharing links, files, or events and the added ability to group usersany or all of his/her contacts. You can easily add links to your profiles on other networks, add IM profiles, and also websites. You can even change your Pownce theme. See our in-depth review of Pownce for more details.
Jaiku
Jaiku is another micro-blogging tool and great alternative to Twitter. The functionality of Jaiku is similar to Twitter and Pownce, including the ability to import RSS feeds into your stream. Unlike Pownce, you cannot message files to other users. Another downside is that the service has been invite only since Google acquired it in October 2007.
FriendFeed
FriendFeed is a social aggregator rather than a microblogging tool. However, backed with a strong and growing community, users can post to their FriendFeed lifestream just like on Twitter in addition to importing RSS feeds and various content shared on other social networks. Recently the service has added "rooms", which can function like groups and restrict certain messages or items to a select group of individuals.
Brightkite
Brightkite is a mobile social network that extends Twitter-like functionality to its users. Essentially, users can update the service via their mobile phone and post location statuses along with a note or an image of their choice. Unlike the other alternate services, there's no simple way to reply to another user.
Other Online Alternatives
We've already covered a few other micro-blogging tools in addition to what's been listed here. However, why not take a visit to the platforms that started it all. While instant messaging may be a little old school, we're still using it to connect with others. There's also IRC, forums and messageboards to consider. They may not be the "hottest" alternatives, but these services are what paved the way for services like Twitter to take shape. You can also try doing conference calls via Skype or visiting those AOL and Yahoo chat groups. Meebo anyone?
If you'd rather not make a switch to another service, try these offline alternatives to Twitter:
The best way to help Twitter deal with their issues without being negative and to also get your social fix is to take a break from the service. When's the last time you called some of your online friends? What about the last time you left the house to socialize? Take a break from the online world and socialize with those that are within your immediate area to physically meet and greet you.
The biggest problem with most of these alternatives is that they don't quite compare to Twitter's large community following. It has taken me 3 months to build my own network of over 700 followers on Twitter. Not many of us would be willing to put in the time to build our connections somewhere else. So, if you're deciding to head elsewhere, send a Twitter message out to your followers letting them know about the move. Don't forget to note whether or not your move will be permanent. You never know who'll end up following you. You can catch me over on FriendFeed (profile) and Pownce (profile) while I wait for Twitter to come back around. What are your plans?
Comments
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Great post. Take a break is right, from all of it. Not just Twitter. Don't take things so seriously is the moral of the story.
The twitter team are people just like you and me. Mass exodus is never the answer, burning bridges brings bad karma in many ways.
I've been watching a bad trend called web Crowdshaping that i'm covering on my blog in the next few weeks.
Posted by: drew olanoff | May 25, 2008 8:52 AM
I suggest to add also www.meemi.com on your list of alternatives
Posted by: catepol | May 25, 2008 9:26 AM
Drew send me a link on Twitter when it's done :)
Catepol thanks for the suggestion. Looks neat!
Posted by: Corvida | May 25, 2008 9:54 AM
I think Twitter is just going through some growing pains and they will get it together. Each site you mentioned is unique and I love the micro blogging, will have to check it out.
Posted by: Scott Fillmer | May 25, 2008 9:59 AM
still love Twitter. but since you asked, i want to give a shout out to Tumblr! http://www.tumblr.com/ in fact, i'm torn between the two ;)
~C
Posted by: c4chaos | May 25, 2008 10:08 AM
"What about the last time you left the house to socialize? Take a break from the online world and socialize with those that are within your immediate area to physically meet and greet you."
A bit patronising, no? I'd imagine most people who read RWW are those who don't sit on the 'net all day chit-chatting, but use it as a tool to further the professional and social lives they lead day-to-day.
Posted by: Andy | May 25, 2008 10:46 AM
Corvida check also streem.us :)
Posted by: Maing | May 25, 2008 11:30 AM
TO ADD:
Utterz.com is a comprehensive, hip mobile blogging tool that can be as abbreviated or long as desired. One can send audio podcasts, video, text, or photos via mobile phone (or certainly from a computer) -- to a free Utterz account or most any online destination.
It's been an effective conversation builder the past 6 months with my conference and political interview content being auto-forwarded to Twitter and/or my blog.
UTTERZ.COM is a worthy addition to your list!
Posted by: Jill Foster | May 25, 2008 11:49 AM
I never actually though Read Write Web would piss me off. I have had it with you guys for the moment. The tirade against twitter is pathetic. Sure I'm not denying the problems these guys have. But they are not sitting in their office head hanging and giving up. They started something amazing. It might not be going well right now. But dammit I am hoping they pull through. Read Write Web has from May 23rd 'til today May 25th run 4 negative stories on twitter. This is not reporting... it is bordering on a witch hunt. That is why I am pissed off!
Posted by: dc crowley | May 25, 2008 12:26 PM
I'm sticking with Twitter, and using the downtime to connect with my Twitter friends in other ways (in person, on the phone, via email, etc.).
Posted by: Marina Martin | May 25, 2008 12:38 PM
Just wanted to add my support for Pownce, too. It's really a great service that's been looked down by the Twitterati for some time now for really no good reason.
The #1 reason for making new friends on Pownce: it's got a really fantastic community that really cares about what you have to share, whether it's how your day went, your recent YouTube finding, or a photo from the beach.
Take a look!
Posted by: Andy DeSoto | May 25, 2008 1:27 PM
@dc crowley, I guess RRW can't win then; this post was -almost- a direct answer to this comment in the previous Twitter post:
"I'd like to see RWW and other prominent blogs start talking about Twitter alternatives more and quit acting like Twitter is the only thing in town. One of the faults of the tech blogs is that you guys anoint one app in a hot category and the others fall by the wayside... whether deservedly or not." http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/whats_killing_twitter.php#comment-55927
Damned if you do, damned if you don't. FWIW, it was a very good post.
Posted by: Noah | May 25, 2008 2:44 PM
Jaiku!
get one
http://jaikuinvites.com/
Posted by: Sal | May 25, 2008 2:54 PM
I like Jaiku a lot more than I like Twitter; it has the superior mobile support and it just looks a lot more sophisticated. But I use Twitter far more, because people I know are on it. Quite why Google have had new signups closed off for what must be getting up for a year is beyond me; it took me ages to track down someone I knew with an invite to try it out! I suspect Jaiku will sadly be subsumed into some Google service at some point.
Posted by: Andy | May 25, 2008 3:01 PM
Hi,
There a french one you may don't know called Poodz http://www.poodz.com/
It adds videos and pictures to twitter basics.
Posted by: Richard | May 25, 2008 4:14 PM
Sull (http://twitter.com/sull) has created altwitter.com (http://altwitter.com/)
Posted by: dekrazee1 | May 25, 2008 5:11 PM
The Web is about choice!!! It's good to see the fanboys out tonite but face it guys you can't please everyone. Pick a platform or use them all, it doesn't matter. BTW, love the offline choices too ;)
Posted by: Solacetech | May 25, 2008 6:16 PM
It is all come back to who's on it. If I have marshallk, scoble, techcrunch, mashable, and om, and also my local friends, then I will consider jumping aboard. Otherwise, it won't be any value for me.
Posted by: Akhmad Fathonih | May 25, 2008 6:31 PM
@Akhmad: Excellent point. What matters is the conversation, Twitter's just a tool not a good one at that. But it has gathered critical, people I want to follow are on it, and till they shift I'm sticking to it.
Posted by: Sachendra | May 25, 2008 11:21 PM
Why do you all follow twitter like a dog sniffing ass? Twitter is exactly how it sounds - for twits.
You are generally sensible people i assume who make informed decisions - you're not following the pied piper to wherever he chooses i assume. tread your own path.
Posted by: John Q | May 26, 2008 3:24 AM
I've used www.tumblr.com on occasion, and find it to be very flexible-- you can post text messages, text, photos, MMS, and customize everything. I find it a particularly special bonus to connect up a domain name to a tumblr-powered blog. This may not be squarely in the micro-blogging category, but it sure is an alternative
Posted by: djchuang | May 26, 2008 7:33 AM
www.beenup2.com is also another great alternative to twitter. check it out.
Posted by: daniel milelr | May 26, 2008 12:14 PM
There's also www.zyb.com that is deveoping nicely and has just been bought by Vodafone. It started as a way to backup mobile phone contacts but now has social networking capabilities.
I'm another one who prefers Jaiku but have more contacts on Twitter. Started both at around the same time to check them out.
Posted by: Andrew | May 27, 2008 10:16 AM
I still prefer Tweeter. I've been using it since last year and I got no prob with it :)
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