Uses For Twitter Today

Some LowYat members were commenting on how Twitter is boring. In my reply at the forum, it was a list of uses I’ve noticed Twitter being used for today. Thus, I thought to elaborate on each point and turn it into a blog post.

What is the Twitter phenomenon about?

Twitter is another social media marketing platform. Broken down into simpler terms is it’s a social platform come opportunity for you to also market yourself, your product or your business.

How is Twitter being used by individuals and businesses today?

Technical support channel

A quick example at the top of my mind would be, Dell. True to Dell’s business model of selling desktops and notebooks only on the Internet, they were quick to adopt Twitter into their marketing strategy. Some other companies using Twitter for technical support are Media Temple, Six Apart and others.

Traffic and awareness generator

Unsurprisingly, I’d say this would be one of the Top 3 purposes for Twitter. Another example which comes to mind is the new Nokia mobile device launch in Malaysia, the n97. Twitter is surely becoming a platform for quick notifications about the coolest events happening.

Opinion sharing and support

One of the ways Twitter users or Twitterers are making an impact on a selected issue or topic is by creating a trending topic or popular topic. Twitterers do this by consistently attaching a hashtag to their posting. For example; with the sucky Internet connection right now, you’ll find #streamyxsuck to be a trending topic.

Quick on-the-go updates

I’m following a torrent provider on Twitter so I’d know instantly when my favorite series is released online. But imagine if Malaysia’s traffic support like LITRAK or RONDA used Twitter. Malaysian twitterers would be able to plan their traveling in advance.

Relationship or friendship or fan updates

Like Facebook, it’s a good way to stay in touch with people – though it’s limited to 140 characters. A ton of people are following their favorite celebrities like Ashton Kutcher, Britney Spears and more on Twitter.

Communication platform

It’s a quick way for you to get in touch instantly with a person or company. For example; every time Exabyes twitted something I replied to remind them of the Starbucks vouchers I hadn’t received.

Credibility builder

Like starting a blog, you want to show people how much an expert you are. Personally, I noticed my involvement with more popular marketing platforms allows me to build a wider and better credibility with more users.

Obviously, there are more uses – some undiscovered.

Twitter has an API for many to explore and experiment with its use. And what ‘you know. A twitterer I’m following (@mashable) just shared this link; Social Mojo: What Kind of Twitter User Are You?

So, what is your use for Twitter today?

Become a Samsung Notebook Ambassador

It’s very rare you come across a brilliant product marketing campaign. And I’d say Samsung has done it quite well for their notebooks. Currently, their running a campaign called; Which Samsung Notebook Are You?

Although similar sounding like the; Which Hyundai are you? it’s nothing alike it and here’s why I believe Samsung’s one is brilliant. Whenever a company decides to produce brochures and flyers, they’ll get their design agency to come up with the concept, visuals and end-product.

For this campaign, Samsung has provided the concept and have made the visuals an online contest. This is a great way to generate awareness for the brand and their new product. Not to mention, they’re already saving cost from having the design agency produce several mockups and spent countless hours deciding on a final work or series.

I signed up for the contest to give it a go. The interface was easy enough for me to guess how I needed to navigate and it was made to be simple enough for anyone to upload a snapped photo and move it around an area.

This was my submitted entry for the contest:

Though I’m a designer by profession, I’m not a copywriter. Therefore, this is one of those contests I’d say it boils down not only to your software skills but your intellect.

If you liked the Samsung notebook advertisement I did, do vote for me.

By the way, I had a little fun with the ad and thought it would be awesome later if it would so happen to appear in mall billboards. LOL!

By the way, if a Samsung representative reads this. My sister-in-law just said she couldn’t find the “vote for me” button in my gallery page. So, there’s the weakness in your gallery user interface.

WordPress Releases New Security Patch

It really wasn’t long ago when WordPress released 2.8.3 to patch up few bugs in August 3. And just today, WordPress had released another security fix 2.8.4. The description of the fix says:

…a vulnerability was discovered: a specially crafted URL could be requested that would allow an attacker to bypass a security check to verify a user requested a password reset. As a result, the first account without a key in the database (usually the admin account) would have its password reset and a new password would be emailed to the account owner. This doesn’t allow remote access, but it is very annoying.

Well, any security issue having to do with the login process should be taken seriously. It wasn’t long ago a friend (and client) of mine got hacked. Thankfully, access was only in WordPress and all entries were untouched.

Therefore, always keep your WordPress up-to-date. And if you’re too lazy, read the changelog before having to upload and upgrade your WordPress installation then.

PC Fair II 2009 Promoters Part 2

This is the second part of my coverage during the recent PC Fair (II) 2009 held in KL Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur. If you’re arriving here without having read Part 1 then I’ll quickly say this again. The first hall was occupied by local/international online game publishers and it was a fresh introduction which I liked this PC Fair.

But moving on, here are the photos I took of promoters on the ground floor and spent most of my time at the AVIRA antivirus booth. Because they had an elevated stage with 4 nurse promoters continuously posing for photographers.

Here’s a shot of the many photographers stopping at the AVIRA booth to snap the pictures of the ladies on stage. A friend I went with; Jonathan, was saying mini skirts and an elevated stage would be rather challenging especially when some photographers took from a lower angle.

I’d say 80% of the people stopping even without DSLRs and whipping out their camera phones were guys. But I guess that’s the main category of consumers to the PC Fair.

Well, I’m looking forward to the next PC Fair for more photos and saying “hello” to the promoters whom I’ve met this PC Fair.

PC Fair II 2009 Promoters Part 1

The PC Fair exhibition in Kuala Lumpur is one of the most visited events especially to photographers. Alike Computex in Taiwan, many visitors throng PC Fair to seek out bargain and, booth babes.

I took over 200 photos that day but will only be showing selected ones here. After all, this isn’t a photoblog.

The first part of my photos during the PC Fair (II) 2009 are promoters from the 1st and 2nd hall. This year’s PC Fair was a little different because instead of big brands occupying the first hall, it was now populated with local/international online game publishers.

It was definitely a fresh new experience to this PC Fair and a good move to promote locally produced online RPGs. There was one online game about running your own business, unfortunately it was only in Chinese.

Well, the second part of my photos will be photos of promoters on the ground floor. If you visited the PC Fair, you’d know the most talked about booth was the AVIRA antivirus one.

In the meantime, here’s a teaser video.

The video ratio is out because this was filmed at a portrait angle on my iPhone. But, you get the idea of the crowd at the booth.