.PARALLEL UNIVERSES.: Plurk, Not Twitter

15 January 2009

Plurk, Not Twitter

No hard feelings, Twitter, and Twitter friends.

While I still remain a Twitter member, I seldom visit there now. These days, I plurk more than I twit. [Note: Ten years ago, "plurk" and "twit" were not even words.] My friend, macaronigirl, who also has Twitter account, convinced me to switch to Plurk. It took some time before I tried Plurk, but when I tried it, I made a permanent switch.

I'm blogging about this to inform all those people who requested to be my Twitter friend (see below) to go to my Plurk profile instead. I hardly twit anymore.

For those who still do not know what Plurk or Twitter is, read here.

Random thoughts and self-imposed FAQs:

While Twitter is the first-mover of micro-blogging, Plurk has improved the concept by coming up with a more dynamic user interface. Also, there are less downtimes in Plurk. Twitter has a larger subscriber base, and its downtimes are understandable.

Should doctors micro-blog? I think they should. If they can do Twitter, then, they can certainly Plurk, too. Better yet, do what I did. Just choose between the two. Also, if work interferes too much, and blogging is impossible, then, micro-blogging is the answer. One-liners for the busy people.

But what if one has no PC around? Any Wifi-enabled mobile device will work. Here in Manila, one can plurk or twit using portals that work with mobile devices, Wifi-enabled or not. So, it's pretty easy. One needs to simply register, and everything is set up already.

Why is Plurk more addicting than Twitter? Because like your Yahoo! Messenger, it has lively emoticons. It also has that karma-system, which one must always strive to keep up in order to reach the so-called "nirvana" state. Psychologically, Plurk developers have mastered the main element of operant conditioning, which is reinforcement. Devious, I know, but hey, it works!.

Should patients twit or plurk their doctors about their symptoms or illness? No. The best way to diagnose is still the old-fashioned way. Nothing beats seeing a patient personally in the clinic or hospital. If it's an emergency, go to the nearest hospital immediately! Forget about plurking or twittering about it.

For those who still do not know what Plurk or Twitter is, read here.

Random thoughts and self-imposed FAQs:

While Twitter is the first-mover of micro-blogging, Plurk has improved the concept by coming up with a more dynamic user interface. Also, there are less downtimes in Plurk. Twitter has a larger subscriber base, and its downtimes are understandable.

Should doctors micro-blog? I think they should. If they can do Twitter, then, they can certainly Plurk, too. Better yet, do what I did. Just choose between the two. Also, if work interferes too much, and blogging is impossible, then, micro-blogging is the answer. One-liners for the busy people.

But what if one has no PC around? Any Wifi-enabled mobile device will work. Here in Manila, one can plurk or twit using portals that work with mobile devices, Wifi-enabled or not. So, it's pretty easy. One needs to simply register, and everything is set up already.

Why is Plurk more addicting than Twitter? Because like your Yahoo! Messenger, it has lively emoticons. It also has that karma-system, which one must always strive to keep up in order to reach the so-called "nirvana" state. Psychologically, Plurk developers have mastered the main element of operant conditioning, which is reinforcement. Devious, I know, but hey, it works!.

Should patients twit or plurk their doctors about their symptoms or illness? No. The best way to diagnose is still the old-fashioned way. Nothing beats seeing a patient personally in the clinic or hospital. If it's an emergency, go to the nearest hospital immediately! Forget about plurking or twittering about it.