If you’re not familiar with Twitter, in a nutshell, it’s an online social networking service.  Users can send and read text based posts limited to 140 characters.  These are referred to as tweets.  Twitter was launched in July of 2006 by Jack Dorsey and it didn’t take long to become popular worldwide.  This year Twitter has approximately 200 million users and handles over 200 million tweets per day.

With Twitter you can say whatever you want.  I’ve had a Twitter account for almost 3 years now and I’ve glanced over many tweets that turned my cheeks a few shades of crimson.  I’ve unfollowed people because their tweets just downright irritate me.  I’ve even blocked people because their profile picture resembles something that belongs in the back room of a video store.  When you get millions of people together it’s bound to happen.

To me, Twitter is fun, interesting and a great social media tool.  If you’re just getting started there are some tips that you should keep in mind when you enter the world of Twitter…

*Watch your ratio of followers versus the amount of people you’re following.  If you have 10 people following you it’s not a good idea to be following 500 people.  People will assume you’re a spammer.  If you are a spammer, go away.  None of us like you.

*Detecting spam takes a lot of practice and even then it’s tricky.  I’ve clicked on links from what I thought were valid accounts and they turned out to be something different.  If you’re going to retweet a link, make sure you’ve visited the site yourself.  You don’t want to pass along spam to your followers especially if it leads to a site that portrays a bunch of adults playing…well, um…Twister.  Yeah, Twister.

*Generally, people care what you have to say and are genuinely interested in your life and interesting things that you come across.  Do try to stay clear of tweeting your every move.  Tweeting every minute gets a little redundant and people don’t care that you had to make a run to the bathroom to relieve yourself.

*Automated direct messages are tempting, but I don’t recommend them.  I don’t want my DM box filled with automated messages with links to your business, websites or statements that you’re happy that I followed you.  I ignore them and usually, if they irritate me enough or involve politics, I’ll unfollow you.  Take the time to send a personal message if you feel inclined to reach out to someone.

*#constant #hash tags #are #super #annoying…you know who you are.  Hash tags are used for various reasons on Twitter.  People tend to go a little overboard and put a hash tag by every word.  Refrain from doing this.  It’s irritating.

*Your family members, co-workers, your boss, teachers, etc… are probably following you.  If you’ve opted to spend your Friday night drinking or getting high, it’s best that you don’t sign into your Twitter account.  I, along with hundreds of others, might find your tweets telling your boss what you really think of him is funny.  More than likely, he will not. We’ll look forward to reading your tweets the following day expressing your disbelief that you were terminated after 5 years with the company.

*Although I am a frequent user of profanity, I don’t like to read tweets with constant F-Bombs being thrown around.  Most people don’t.  It’s tacky and in bad taste.  Sometimes it’s necessary (sorry Mom)  and I have been known to say a few shady things, but keep it toned down.

*Keep in mind that people have Twitter on their mobile devices and tweeting them 50 times an hour is enough to send someone’s phone into a convulsive fit.  Consider yourself unfollowed if you continue to do this.  This also includes late night tweets.  You might find tweeting about your snack attack at 3 a.m. necessary, but it’s safe to say no one else will.

*Twitter is public.  Anyone (unless you have your account blocked) can read your tweets.  Keep this in mind.  If you’re angry at your spouse and feel the need to tweet about it, by all means do so. I’m sure a kind soul will reach out to you via @reply and console you.  Just remember that 2 months from now when you’re spouse finally signs up for a Twitter account they can read your old tweets.  Doghouse anyone?

*DON’T WRITE IN ALL CAPS.  People think you’re yelling and it’s not easy on the eyes.  This is a guaranteed way to get unfollowed.

*Some things are just better left unsaid.

*Please, under no circumstances, create a fake celebrity account.  It’s a waste of time and you’re account will eventually be deleted.

*If you’re going to have a Twitter account tweet something at least a few times a week.  Most people will unfollow you if you haven’t updated in a few months.  Have some simple courtesy and let people know that you won’t be around for a while, are on vacation, or you hate Twitter and won’t be back.

*Tweeting that you’ll follow folks if they follow you is not cool.  Twitter is not a competition and setting a goal to have 1,000 new followers within a week just tells us all you have way too much time on your hands.

Siddeley Thanks for joining us! Be sure to check in Sunday 4/10 at 2 pm (CT) & Get Ready to SAVE for the Prom! #DEALCHAT -11:01 PM Apr 4th, 2011

DT_Rebecca RT @Siddeley: Looking forward to next weeks chat on PROM savings! Sunday 4/10 at 2 pm (CT) & Get Ready to SAVE for the Prom! #dealchat -11:01 PM Apr 4th, 2011

DT_Rebecca Thanks for the great info…will keep an eye out for the 50th anniversary celebration… #dealchat -10:59 PM Apr 4th, 2011

Siddeley Getting to the last few mins of chat! All the savings for every park on our @SixFlags Coupon Page http://bit.ly/hyvw8d #DEALCHAT -10:58 PM Apr 4th, 2011

Siddeley Grab a hug and picture with Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Sylvester, Tweety, PePe LePeu, Foghorn Leghorn & more! http://bit.ly/dGMcsh #DEALCHAT -10:55 PM Apr 4th, 2011

Siddeley @DT_Rebecca Oh yeah – Love that stuff. Especially the real stuff. Tried that in a bag and yuck! #DEALCHAT -10:54 PM Apr 4th, 2011

LisaD35 RT @Siddeley: Number 1 Top Wooden Roller Coaster: El Toro @SixFlags Great Adventure in Jackson, NJ http://bit.ly/gxSHna #dealchat -10:53 PM Apr 4th, 2011

DT_Rebecca @Siddeley Cotton Candy!!! #dealchat -10:53 PM Apr 4th, 2011

Siddeley What are some of the other treats sold at Sixflags? Candy Apples – I have noooooo idea how anyone ever eats one of those #DEALCHAT -10:52 PM Apr 4th, 2011

LisaD35 RT @Siddeley: @LisaD35 Yeah we could rent a uhaul for the funnel cakes like folks do on Black Friday at Walmart! (LMAOOO) #dealchat -10:51 PM Apr 4th, 2011

Siddeley @LisaD35 Yeah we could rent a uhaul for the funnel cakes like folks do on Black Friday at Walmart! #DEALCHAT -10:50 PM Apr 4th, 2011

LisaD35 RT @Siddeley: Number 6 Top Steel Roller Coaster: Nitro @SixFlags Great Adventure in Jackson, NJ http://bit.ly/iecadr #dealchat -10:50 PM Apr 4th, 2011

Siddeley Number 6 Top Steel Roller Coaster: Nitro @SixFlags Great Adventure in Jackson, NJ http://bit.ly/iecadr #DEALCHAT -10:49 PM Apr 4th, 2011

LisaD35 RT @Siddeley: @LisaD35 Oh yes! Texas size Funnel Cakes! (I’ll hoist me a piece over my shoulder) #dealchat -10:49 PM Apr 4th, 2011

DT_Rebecca @Siddeley @LisaD35 Yum Yum #dealchat -10:48 PM Apr 4th, 2011

LisaD35 RT @Siddeley: Number 5 Top Wooden Roller Coaster: The Comet at The Great Escape in NY @SixFlags http://bit.ly/hkNABG #dealchat -10:48 PM Apr 4th, 2011

Siddeley Number 5 Top Wooden Roller Coaster: The Comet at The Great Escape in NY @SixFlags http://bit.ly/hkNABG #DEALCHAT -10:48 PM Apr 4th, 2011

LisaD35 @Siddeley I bet there will be lots of Funnel Cake and everything is bigger in Texas sooooo….mmmmmm #dealchat -10:47 PM Apr 4th, 2011

DT_Rebecca RT @Siddeley: Not sure what all is planned for the 50th anniversary at Over Texas but sounds like a reason to celebrate to me! #dealchat -10:46 PM Apr 4th, 2011

DT_Rebecca @Siddeley Yeah that sounds awesome..my son has been asking to go… #dealchat -10:46 PM Apr 4th, 2011

Siddeley @Sixflags Over Texas was the first @Sixflags park. #DEALCHAT -10:46 PM Apr 4th, 2011

Siddeley Not sure what all is planned for the 50th anniversary at Over Texas but sounds like a reason to celebrate to me! #DEALCHAT -10:45 PM Apr 4th, 2011

Siddeley Six Flags Atlanta – April 4-8 season pass holder can ride select roller coasters 1 hour before the park opens http://bit.ly/dOGVGI #DEALCHAT -10:43 PM Apr 4th, 2011

DT_Rebecca @LisaD35 @Siddeley @SixFlags Now that would totally freak me out…. #dealchat -10:42 PM Apr 4th, 2011

DT_Lennon @DT_Rebecca yep horrible, but that won’t stop my husband from going back & the tic. prices i found he’ll want to go for sure #DealChat -10:42 PM Apr 4th, 2011

LisaD35 RT @Siddeley: Uber Creepy Tour: Abandoned @SixFlags New Orleans http://bit.ly/etRNBq #dealchat -10:42 PM Apr 4th, 2011

DT_Rebecca RT @Siddeley: Six Flags Over Texas planning a Giant Celebration in honor of its 50th Ann. season in 2011 http://bit.ly/i8SQWu #dealchat -10:42 PM Apr 4th, 2011

Siddeley Uber Creepy Tour: Abandoned @SixFlags New Orleans http://bit.ly/etRNBq #DEALCHAT -10:42 PM Apr 4th, 2011

LisaD35 RT @Siddeley: Six Flags Over Texas is planning a Giant Celebration in honor of its 50th Anniv. season in 2011 http://bit.ly/i8SQWu #dealchat -10:41 PM Apr 4th, 2011

DT_Rebecca @DT_Lennon That is horrible…. #dealchat -10:39 PM Apr 4th, 2011

Siddeley Number 1 Top Steel Roller Coaster: Bizarro @SixFlags New England in Agawam, MA http://bit.ly/frlSKW http://bit.ly/dJ1Wmo #DEALCHAT -10:39 PM Apr 4th, 2011

DT_Rebecca RT @Siddeley: Upgrade Your Gum & Fun! Chance to win 2 Season Pass, year supply of Stride 2.0 Gum & more! http://bit.ly/gqGNl0 #dealchat -10:39 PM Apr 4th, 2011

LisaD35 @DT_Lennon wow…maybe they should make their “restricted area” sign a little bigger #dealchat -10:38 PM Apr 4th, 2011

DT_Rebecca @Siddeley @DT_Rebecca Yeah, don’t know how long that will last…HAHAHA… #dealchat -10:38 PM Apr 4th, 2011

LisaD35 RT @Siddeley: Wingate By Wyndham Atlanta is located just 300 yards from the gates of @SixFlags Over Georgia http://bit.ly/dOGVGI #dealchat -10:37 PM Apr 4th, 2011

Siddeley Wingate By Wyndham Atlanta is located just 300 yards from the gates of @SixFlags Over Georgia http://bit.ly/dOGVGI #DEALCHAT -10:37 PM Apr 4th, 2011

DT_Lennon Fo Real http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,373341,00.html @LisaD35: *GASP* for real? #DealChat -10:36 PM Apr 4th, 2011
LisaD35 @DT_Lennon *GASP* for real? #dealchat -10:35 PM Apr 4th, 2011

Siddeley @DT_Lennon Awww thanks uncle john! #DEALCHAT -10:34 PM Apr 4th, 2011

DT_Lennon The year i rode The Batman ride seen on the news a dude got his head knocked off! Wish all my kids were still too small to go #DealChat -10:34 PM Apr 4th, 2011

LisaD35 RT @Siddeley: Upgrade Your Gum, Upgrade Your Fun! Chance to win 2 Season Pass, year supply of Stride 2.0 Gum! http://bit.ly/gqGNl0 #dealchat -10:34 PM Apr 4th, 2011

Siddeley @DT_Rebecca Yeah it is nice to just say “they wont let you on the ride yet” When they get older there is too little negotiation #DEALCHAT -10:34 PM Apr 4th, 2011

Siddeley Upgrade Your Gum, Upgrade Your Fun! Chance to win 2 Season Pass, year supply of Stride 2.0 Gum & more! http://bit.ly/gqGNl0 #DEALCHAT -10:33 PM Apr 4th, 2011

DT_Lennon Just tell him i sent ya and he’d probably take ya in @Siddeley: Does Uncle John take reservations? LOL #DealChat -10:33 PM Apr 4th, 2011

LisaD35 RT @Siddeley: Does Uncle John take reservations? LOL RT @DT_Lennon: Is for me! its called uncle johns LOL (LOLLLLL) #dealchat -10:32 PM Apr 4th, 2011

Siddeley Does Uncle John take reservations? LOL RT @DT_Lennon: Is for me! its called uncle johns LOL #DEALCHAT -10:31 PM Apr 4th, 2011

DT_Rebecca @Siddeley Thanks for checking…My son is still to short for any of the thrill seeker rides…Thank goodness..LOL #dealchat -10:31 PM Apr 4th, 2011

LisaD35 @DT_Lennon LOL! Gotta love the family members that live near tourist attractions… #dealchat -10:31 PM Apr 4th, 2011

Siddeley @LisaD35 From what I see on lodging you can get 2 to 4 star hotels & a lot will have pkgs or they will give a

discount on tickets #DEALCHAT -10:31 PM Apr 4th, 2011

DT_Lennon Is for me! it’s called uncle johns LOL @LisaD35 Is lodging usually reasonable near Six Flags Parks & do they offer package deals? #DealChat -10:30 PM Apr 4th, 2011

Siddeley @DT_Rebecca I guess the height can differ based on ride?? or maybe state regulations? #DEALCHAT -10:29 PM Apr 4th, 2011

DT_Lennon @Siddeley water park isn’t open yet. like most it opens in May. 28th to be exact. #DealChat -10:29 PM Apr 4th, 2011

Siddeley @DT_Rebecca you know when I was gathering info I saw a few height requirements and they werent the same at each park. #DEALCHAT -10:28 PM Apr 4th, 2011

LisaD35 Is lodging usually reasonable near Six Flags Parks and do they offer package deals? #dealchat -10:28 PM Apr 4th, 2011

LisaD35 RT @Siddeley: @SixFlags St Louis – Plan to stay with Drury Hotels and save BIG! Get Coupon Code! http://bit.ly/dOqSQG #dealchat -10:27 PM Apr 4th, 2011

Siddeley @SixFlags St Louis – Plan to stay with Drury Hotels and save BIG! Get Coupon Code! http://bit.ly/dOqSQG #DEALCHAT -10:27 PM Apr 4th, 2011

DT_Rebecca RT @Siddeley: SPRING BREAK SPECIAL: Buy 4 Combo Passes, Get FREE Season Parking @SixFlags http://bit.ly/dGMcsh #dealchat -10:26 PM Apr 4th, 2011

LisaD35 RT @Siddeley: SPRING BREAK SPECIAL: Buy 4 Combo Passes, Get FREE Season Parking @SixFlags http://bit.ly/dGMcsh #dealchat -10:25 PM Apr 4th, 2011

DT_Rebecca What is the height requirement for most of the big rides? Do y’all happen to know? #dealchat -10:25 PM Apr 4th, 2011

Siddeley SPRING BREAK SPECIAL: Buy 4 Combo Passes, Get FREE Season Parking @SixFlags http://bit.ly/dGMcsh #DEALCHAT -10:25 PM Apr 4th, 2011

Siddeley @DT_Lennon Is the Water Park open already? #DEALCHAT -10:24 PM Apr 4th, 2011

Siddeley Exactly! RT @LisaD35: @Siddeley Funnel Cake = Therapy #DEALCHAT -10:24 PM Apr 4th, 2011

DT_Lennon yep online special. we might have to change the date of our trip LOL @Siddeley: Online too? #DealChat -10:23 PM Apr 4th, 2011

Siddeley The Wild One Coaster @SixFlags America (DC area) Rated #9 in wooden coasters on About.com http://bit.ly/hRtqug #DEALCHAT -10:23 PM Apr 4th, 2011

LisaD35 @Siddeley Funnel Cake = Therapy #dealchat -10:22 PM Apr 4th, 2011

Siddeley Online too? RT @DT_Lennon: AWESOME deal for St Louis Six Flags – OPENING WEEKENDONLINE SPECIAL — $19.71 http://bit.ly/cbCcep #DEALCHAT -10:22 PM Apr 4th, 2011

Siddeley Yeah! to heck with the therapy! RT @LisaD35: Theyd be payin for at least a years worth of therapy and funnel cake if ..lol #DEALCHAT -10:22 PM Apr 4th, 2011

LisaD35 RT @DT_Lennon: AWESOME deal for St Louis Six Flags – OPENING WEEKENDONLINE SPECIAL — $19.71 http://bit.ly/cbCcep #dealchat -10:21 PM Apr 4th, 2011

DT_Lennon AWESOME deal for St Louis Six Flags – OPENING WEEKEND ONLINE SPECIAL — $19.71 http://bit.ly/cbCcep #DealChat -10:21 PM Apr 4th, 2011

Siddeley We went to Kings Dominion near Richmond VA – Loved their water park. Closet @Six Flags to me is about 6 hours from here. #DEALCHAT -10:21 PM Apr 4th, 2011

LisaD35 @Siddeley They’d be payin’ for at least a years worth of therapy and funnel cake if I had to hang upside down for 3 hours..lol #dealchat -10:20 PM Apr 4th, 2011

Siddeley @LisaD35 No kidding! And you would have to trust that the coaster wheels would keep connected to the rails! #DEALCHAT -10:19 PM Apr 4th, 2011

LisaD35 RT @Siddeley: @DT_Lennon I like Lazy rivers myself! Could float along in one of those for hours (my kind of ride…lol) #dealchat -10:19 PM Apr 4th, 2011

Siddeley @DT_Lennon I like Lazy rivers myself! Could float along in one of those for hours #DEALCHAT -10:18 PM Apr 4th, 2011

LisaD35 @Siddeley WOW! That would have sent me over the edge… #dealchat -10:17 PM Apr 4th, 2011

Siddeley Can you imagine hanging upside down for 3 hours? I mean how do you do that without freaking out??? #DEALCHAT -10:17 PM Apr 4th, 2011

DT_Lennon Yep, Hurricane Harbor. I’ve really enjoyed it @Siddeley: You go to the St. Louis park right? do they have a nice water park? #DealChat -10:17 PM Apr 4th, 2011

Siddeley In 1998, 23 riders on Demon roller coaster were stranded upside-down in the middle of a vertical loop – some for 3 hours! OMG! #DEALCHAT -10:16 PM Apr 4th, 2011

LisaD35 @Siddeley You HAD to mention funnel cake…YUM! #dealchat -10:16 PM Apr 4th, 2011

Siddeley @LisaD35 Tons of stuff for kids and characters like Bugs Bunny roam around the parks too. Man I am craving a funnel cake! #DEALCHAT -10:15 PM Apr 4th, 2011

DT_Rebecca RT @Siddeley: Enter to win a 3-day trip to NYC, 2 @SixFlags tickets, promo pack, $250 Hot Topic GC & $250! http://bit.ly/eI1a67 #dealchat -10:15 PM Apr 4th, 2011

LisaD35 RT @Siddeley: Enter to win a 3-day trip to NYC, 2 @SixFlags tickets, promo pack, $250 Hot Topic GC & $250! http://bit.ly/eI1a67 #dealchat -10:14 PM Apr 4th, 2011

Siddeley Enter to win a 3-day trip to NYC, 2 @SixFlags tickets, promo pack, $250 Hot Topic GC & $250! http://bit.ly/eI1a67 #DEALCHAT -10:14 PM Apr 4th, 2011

LisaD35 Do they offer a lot for the younger kids (toddler age) at Six Flags or is it more for adults? #dealchat -10:13 PM Apr 4th, 2011

Siddeley @DT_Lennon You go to the St. Louis park right? do they have a nice water park? #DEALCHAT -10:13 PM Apr 4th, 2011

Siddeley I love spins but not coasters! RT @DT_Rebecca: I like wooden roller coasters..anything that doesnt spin me or goes upside down. #DEALCHAT -10:12 PM Apr 4th, 2011

LisaD35 RT @Siddeley: They sell a Flash Pass that holds your place in line at popular rides – @SixFlags http://bit.ly/dGMcsh #dealchat -10:12 PM Apr 4th, 2011

Siddeley Wonder if Disney parks have a pass that will hold your place in line. I stood in line for 4 hours for Space Mountain! #DEALCHAT -10:11 PM Apr 4th, 2011

LisaD35 @DT_Rebecca I’m the same way with rides. I’ll take the speed but not upside down or spinning around. #dealchat -10:11 PM Apr 4th, 2011

DT_Lennon i like only the waterpark rides & sissy ones LOL. husband & kids like the roller coasters @Siddeley What is your favorite ride? #DealChat -10:11 PM Apr 4th, 2011

DT_Rebecca I like the wooden roller coasters..I like anything that doesn’t spin me or goes upside down. #dealchat -10:10 PM Apr 4th, 2011

Siddeley They sell a Flash Pass that holds your place in line at popular rides – limited # sold per day! @SixFlags http://bit.ly/dGMcsh #DEALCHAT -10:09 PM Apr 4th, 2011

LisaD35 RT @Siddeley: @LisaD35 The deals are good right now. All of the parks have a special if you buy online. Most are pay kids price #dealchat -10:09 PM Apr 4th, 2011

Siddeley @baerbelsmile welcome to the chat! Do you visit other parks? #DEALCHAT -10:08 PM Apr 4th, 2011

Siddeley @DT_Lennon What is your favorite ride? Do you guys go on the Roller Coasters? #DEALCHAT -10:08 PM Apr 4th, 2011

LisaD35 @baerbelsmile Glad I’m not the only one…lol #dealchat -10:07 PM Apr 4th, 2011

Siddeley @LisaD35 The deals are good right now. All of the parks have a special if you buy online. Most are pay kids price #DEALCHAT -10:07 PM Apr 4th, 2011

LisaD35 RT @Siddeley: Season Passes pay 4 themselves if u go more than once&inc FREE tickets 4 friends on select days http://bit.ly/dGMcsh #dealchat -10:07 PM Apr 4th, 2011

DT_Rebecca Yes, the passes are a great deal!!! #dealchat -10:07 PM Apr 4th, 2011

baerbelsmile @LisaD35 @Siddeley #dealchat I have never visit it either -10:06 PM Apr 4th, 2011

DT_Lennon been a many of times @Siddeley: Has anyone ever been to SixFlags? #DealChat -10:05 PM Apr 4th, 2011

LisaD35 When do the deals and coupons for tickets start coming in for Six Flags? #dealchat -10:05 PM Apr 4th, 2011

Siddeley Season Passes pay for themselves if you go more than once & inc FREE tickets for friends on select days! http://bit.ly/dGMcsh #DEALCHAT -10:05 PM Apr 4th, 2011

DT_Rebecca RT @Siddeley: Has anyone ever been to SixFlags? #dealchat -10:04 PM Apr 4th, 2011

LisaD35 RT @Siddeley: Has anyone ever been to SixFlags? (I’m one of the very few that probably hasn’t been….) #dealchat -10:04 PM Apr 4th, 2011

Siddeley @LisaD35 Thanks I will #DEALCHAT -10:04 PM Apr 4th, 2011

DT_Rebecca I have been to Six Flags in Dallas and Fiesta Tx in San Antonio #dealchat -10:04 PM Apr 4th, 2011

Siddeley Has anyone ever been to SixFlags? #DEALCHAT -10:03 PM Apr 4th, 2011

LisaD35 RT @Siddeley: Great overall savings tip – Be sure to use your Discover Card – Save 5% online and around the @SixFlags parks #dealchat -10:02 PM Apr 4th, 2011

Siddeley Great overall savings tip – Be sure to use your Discover Card – Save 5% online and around the @SixFlags parks #DEALCHAT -10:02 PM Apr 4th, 2011

Siddeley Hi Rebecca! Nice to see you #DEALCHAT -10:01 PM Apr 4th, 2011

DT_Rebecca RT @Siddeley: We would love to have you participate in the #DealChat. Introduce yourself if you like and share your stories! #dealchat -10:01 PM Apr 4th, 2011

DT_Rebecca Hello Everyone #dealchat -10:00 PM Apr 4th, 2011

LisaD35 RT @Siddeley: We would love to have you participate in the #DealChat. Introduce yourself if you like and share your stories! #dealchat -10:00 PM Apr 4th, 2011

LisaD35 Greetings from Akron Ohio #dealchat -10:00 PM Apr 4th, 2011

Siddeley We would love to have you participate in the #DealChat. Introduce yourself if you like and share your stories! #DEALCHAT -10:00 PM Apr 4th, 2011

Siddeley Welcome to our “Six Flags Fun” Chat! This is @Siddeley from Dealtaker.com #DEALCHAT -9:59 PM Apr 4th, 2011

LisaD35 Join the Six Flags #DealChat in 5 minutes! Grab your Camera & Sunglasses & meet us at the gate! http://bit.ly/h5813r -9:56 PM Apr 4th, 2011

LisaD35 RT @dealtaker Don’t Forget our “Six Flags Fun” DealChat on Mon. 4/4 at 9pm CT! Buckle up & Use #DEALCHAT to join in! http://bit.ly/g76elb -3:49 PM Apr 3rd, 2011

VLKMall RT @dealtaker: Don’t Forget our “Six Flags Fun” DealChat on Monday 4/4 at 9pm CT! Buckle up & Use #DEALCHAT to join in! http://bit.ly/g76elb -12:08 PM Apr 3rd, 2011

Siddeley Don’t Forget our “Six Flags Fun” DealChat on Monday 4/4 at 9pm CT! Buckle up & Use #DEALCHAT to join in! http://bit.ly/ffkOC8 -11:25 AM Apr 3rd, 2011

Thankfully (pun not intended), this year you can have a Twitter Thanksgiving, and that should make all the difference. Now, I don’t mean that you should tweet your favorite uncle instead of inviting him over for an early dinner, I just mean that you can put away that 1-800 kitchen help line; your kitchen help is just a tweet away.

Butterball will be answering questions on Facebook and Twitter. Food Network’s In the Kitchen app could also help; it’s on the iTunes App Store for $1.99.   It’s got recipes, a built-in shopping list, and cooking tools.

Or you could just ask your friends via Twitter or text (connecting is what it’s all about, right?).  With all of the ways to connect, you could have your perfect Thanksgiving feast.

Photo Credit: Jim Hammer

Today, in a press release, CheapTweet announces a partnership with DealTaker.

CheapTweet is a site that aggregates deals which are passed along through Twitter. There, a growing community of bargain-hunters vote on the best tweeted deals, making it a great resource for anyone to see real time information about the best deals out there.

Check out the DealTaker/CheapTweet cobranded page here. It’s a great way to see all of the great deals that the DealTaker team tweets and resulting conversations.

We are exited about this partnership with CheapTweet and look forward to seeing our communities grow together!

1.) Get the location’s latitude and longitude (IE. 33.017262, -96.98494).

2.) Make sure you have 3 numbers before decimal point.  So we would left pad with a ’0′ and we would end up  with 033 and 096.

3.) Add the + and – to our result, so +033 and -096 would be our result

4.) Take the first 3 numbers after the decimal point and add it to the end of result, so we end up with +033017-096984.

4.)Take the first 3 to 6 numbers after the decimal point and add it to the end of result, so we end up with +033017-096984 if we used 3 or if we used 6 we would end up with +033017255-096984955

5.) Post a tweet with the hash tag of #geotwit, the result and the rest of what your tweet.

Here’s an example of a full tweet: #geotwit +033017-096984 http://twitpic.com/6eh1a Spotted this car Friday in Lewisville, TX.

A pretty interesting article about how the businesses we work for will eventually, in the author’s opinion, control what we blog or tweet or discuss on the web.

I have definitely thought about how I would handle a situation in which I wanted to write an article, or twitter a sentence for that matter, with an opposing view to that of my employer.  I would hope that I would be able to approach the issue in a professional manner with an agree to disagree stance.  But truly I would be torn and here is why:  One of the things that we do as part of a “team” is to appreciate other view points.  We may not always agree with their platforms, actions, dispositions, etc.   But we also realize that a great customer service representative is probably a very social person, whereas a developer might see every phone call as an intrusion on their work.  If I am that developer I probably do not understand why anyone would want to sit on the phone all day, but I appreciate that difference none-the-less.   Better you than me I would be saying!

So back to my point – To me a company is a team of teams.  Many different types of people at many different points in their life all working toward common goals for the company(one would hope anyway).  Do I really want to discuss publicly company actions that may not only cause the company problems,  but could affect all of teams?  Understand I am not saying we should overlook discrimination or abuse.  And thank the founding fathers for our freedom of speech!  But I don’t think that it is such a bad idea that our writings reflect our company’s views or our company’s brand.  Not kowtow to them, but reflect them.  I mean isn’t this what working as a team is all about?

There is so much more to this discussion.  As more tools are created that blur our working world with our personal life, such as Facebook and LinkedIn have done, we will all have to find the balance between being true to ourselves/our own brand and remaining part of a team that blends and morphs us into something bigger than ourselves.

They even have a tool that allows one to use Twitter to send in expenses to accounts via a cell phone using the direct message functionality (perfect for me since I enter every receipt and hate it when the gas pump receipt jams).  I have used Quicken for as long as I can remember, but now it is time to use the tools that fit my life now – online,community, and cutting edge – Wesabe.  Check it out.

Jack Dorsey, Twitter’s co-founder described his creation as “… an idea to make a more ‘live’ LiveJournal, Real-time, up-to-date, from the road. Akin to updating your AIM status from wherever you are, and sharing it.”

Google’s CEO described Twitter another way when he called it a poor man’s email system, “Speaking as a computer scientist, I view all of these as sort of poor man’s email systems.”   Although, his statement is rudimentary, it does have merit.  If you think of Twitter from a technical standpoint, it is easily a poor man’s email system, but a SPAM proof one at that.

You can SPAM your followers who, for better or worse, actively opted in to follow your conscious activity.  However, you won’t get your follower’s tweets unless, of course, you choose to follow them.  So, what we really have is just the evolution of a poor man’s email system that happens to solve what today’s email system can’t, that is SPAM!

Everywhere we turn information is being pushed on us – from ads, emails, text messages, RSS, etc. – we are living in a world of information clutter. Do we really need another communication system?  Does it really matter what your friends or Ashton Kutcher are doing right now?  “Brushing my teeth, just got off the elevator, flying the red-eye in a silver tube at 600mph over the Rockies,” can be too much.  Who really gives a tweet?

Either way, Twitter has become unbelievably popular and is most likely here to stay. Twitter’s active users have increased 900% in a year which leads all social networks including the all-powerful FaceBook.  So for now anyway, the clutter is here to stay.

You can follow DealTaker on Twitter at http://twitter.com/dealtaker

If you listen close, the tap, tap, tapping of keys that can normally be heard in the DealTaker offices has increased in intensity this week.

That’s cause we’ve all become enchanted with Twitter. For those of you uninitiated in Twitter… well… you’re missing out on quite a party!

Come follow us. Our main account is @dealtaker, but you can also follow all of your favorite Content Coordinators too!

You can follow our President, Kevin Strawbridge, @kstraw.

Follow all the content coordinators -

Lisa Desjardins – @LisaD35

Jody Liles – @Siddeley

Rebecca Spain - @DT_Rebecca

So come tweet us up and join in on the conversation!