This two minute video explains it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddO9idmax0o

Twitter is basically a microblogging site that allows members to connect with other members and to keep track of everyone that member chooses to “connect” with in real time over instant messaging, on the web, or by text messaging. Messages must be under 140 characters and are called “tweets”, and can then be displayed on the twitter website, sent directly to “friends” on twitter or displayed on a feed through RSS on another website (in this case Tales Blog). Everyone’s true email address is protected and everyone can choose who sees what and when and who contacts them and when.

The beauty of it for conferences is that it allows people to instantly connect based on common interests and it encourages participation on the Tales blog by more than just writers of the blog, thus making the Tales community that much stronger. And although Twitterers are already finding each other by Google searches, having a feed on the Tales blog would be more proactive and welcoming to allowing other attendees to connect at the conference. Many conferences are now using it as par for the course (such as SxSW). An example would be:

“I just finished the bitters seminar and am standing outside the door. Anyone want to grab lunch, let me know”

or
“Ok, who sells the best Po-boys within walking distance of the Monteleone?”

or

“Chuck Taggart did a great post on the Tales Blog about best food around here. You can read it here: Link to Blog Post”

or

“I’m leaving for the airport in an hour, tweet me if you are up for sharing a cab from the Monteleone”

or

“wow, I can’t believe so-and-so from so-and-so at the so and so presentation said that blender drinks are out of style. My bar in Brooklyn, the Devil’s Advocate is making some off the hook blender drinks. The NY Times just wrote about us – check it out (link to article”

or

“Hey, we are launching a new product called cocksicles. cocktails and posicles together. Come by our booth at room 821 and let us know what you think”

“Hey, we are also doing popsickle cocktails at our bar. How much alcohol can you add that still gets them to freeze up?”

“Oh My God, the tequila greyhound with chili cocksicle was killer”

“I actually preferred the Manhattan cocksicle”

“Our New Tastes in Vodka presentation was over capacity. If you couldn’t get in but are interested in still seeing our material we have posted our PowerPoint presentation over at http://www.slideshare.com”

You get the idea. To see an example of a Twitter feed on a blog and a how to guide to putting it on a blog (although not one from a conference) here is one:http://www.travelinlibrarian.info/2008/04/how-to-create-twitter-conference-feed.html

Anyway, minor thing, and the Tales folks are doing such a kickbutt job, but I just thought Twitter might make it easier for attendees to connect and talk to each other both online and off.

Oh, and I don’t work for or have any vested interest in Twitter. I just find it really useful for connecting with people. Especially at conferences.

It would be nice if Tales could put a Twitter Feed on this here blog to make it easier to meet fellow Talesians both online and off.