Twitter: Connecting the World

Beyond Tech — By Andy Mai on May 4, 2009 at 9:21 pm

It is not a surprise students use their Facebooks and MySpaces to connect with their friends. But have we grown dependent on them to get news? During the snow storm of March, students depended on their Facebooks to get alerts whether school was closed the next day. Even though Brooklyn Tech had posted school closings on the its website (www.bths.edu) the news did not spread fast enough even with the help of BTHSnews. Unfortunately a handful of staff and students found themselves on Dekalb Avenue thinking there was school.

What is the solution to this communication problem?

One solution to the communication problem could be with a website called Twitter. Founded in 2006 by Jack Dorsey, Twitter has been on the rise since last year. Twitter was originally created for friends to tell each other what they are doing but has extended to organizations such as CNN that alerts people of breaking news. During the 2008 Election, BarackObamadotcom set up a Twitter to tell supporters where rallies would take place. On Twitter, followers are friends who can see what you are doing depending on what you type as your status. Twitter is linked through computers and mobile texting allowing users to receive updated off their computer on their handhelds. In an era where we are always on the go, it is convenient for us to have a handheld device rather than a laptop.
How will this help communication outside of school closings?

With Twitter, followers are allowed to track an account real time. So I propose during Student Government meetings, we can “tweet” messages about topics (that are appropriate to release to the public) and let students respond through Twitter. All responses to a topic are shown and the student body can get a say or give their opinion.
Twitter can also be used to remind followers of events coming up whether it be: a play, musical, show, sports match, cycle days after a break, etc. Twitter is also a fun alternative to the www.bths.edu website which most students are not motivated to go on hence the communication problem.

BTHSnews.org is now also using Twitter. Our Twitter account

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Replies from the forums:

  • User Avatar Prezmet says:
    April 26, 2003 at 2:35 am
    yea, we should get avatars. All the cool boards allow you to do that. Bthsnews should follow suit IMHO.
  • User Avatar Thinkdiff says:
    April 26, 2003 at 6:44 am
    I think we should be able to upload avatars, but as far as I know, the server might not have enough space for it. Last I heard they were very strapped for space. But how much could a few avatars take up ;)
  • User Avatar Retina says:
    April 26, 2003 at 9:42 pm
    Well, if space is an issue, may we link to our own avatars hosted on another server?
  • User Avatar Prezmet says:
    April 27, 2003 at 2:45 am
    To tell you the truth... I don't think I'd even use an avatar. I think I'd just like the option.
  • User Avatar Wizard says:
    April 27, 2003 at 4:43 am
    I forget how crule this city can be. I've been away so long. What happened?
  • User Avatar Winnie says:
    April 27, 2003 at 5:14 am
    Subjects for Forums:







    1) School Activities. Definitely very useful. Half the kids in school doesn't know what events are coming up, and even if they do, its a good reminder.







    2) School Announcements. Changes in prefect, changes in rules and regulations, etc.







    3) School Majors. Keep one wide forum for all majors, instead of individual majors.







    That's all I have in mind so far. What do you think? Keep only one of each because you don't want too many forums, or else everyone will be posting on different forums and not know that another forum is talking about the same thing.
  • User Avatar Wizard says:
    April 27, 2003 at 5:23 am
    You may now link to avatars on other servers.
  • User Avatar Thinkdiff says:
    April 27, 2003 at 5:47 am
    Looks like it's working. Thanks :)
  • User Avatar Prezmet says:
    April 27, 2003 at 10:45 pm
    Yea, that's a real shame. The victims' families have my condolences.







    Maybe you should see a counselor about that though. Despite what people say, they can really be of some help in these situations.
  • User Avatar Prezmet says:
    April 27, 2003 at 10:49 pm
    I definately think that there should be a forum for student activities. We in the SGO have tried to increase awareness with the addition of Prefect Reps, Prefect Announcements, Class Newsletters, Wall Posters, etc but it doesn't hurt to have a forum for the topic.







    Next, maybe a FAQ forum. You know for simple questions about SGO cards, program changes, failures, etc...
  • User Avatar Prezmet says:
    May 1, 2003 at 12:00 am
    yea it looks like they are working. Its great to have an avatar, they help people express themselves in pictures... kind of like smilies.
  • User Avatar Prezmet says:
    May 6, 2003 at 9:43 pm




    Sure, no problem but don't you think hate is such a strong word? Maybe dislike would be better. "Can't we all just get along?"
  • User Avatar Retina says:
    May 6, 2003 at 11:41 pm
    It's more fun to hate. Besides, it actually does piss me off at times. Not that you were asking me, heh.
  • User Avatar Prezmet says:
    May 7, 2003 at 11:35 pm
    Naw, it doesn't matter who answered. If the all caps bothers people then we should all just be accomodating and refrain from using caps.
  • User Avatar Devils_Advocate says:
    May 24, 2003 at 3:13 am
    For Seniors, today (Friday, May 23) was the last day for SGO cards to be handed in. As for the rest of the student body, I assume they're due before finals week in June.







    If you're still not sure, then you should go to 7C5 on Tuesday and ask the ladies in there about the SGO cards.







    I hope this helps! :D

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