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Six Alternatives To Twitter

21st October
2008
written by Mike Fruchter

When it comes to microblogging, the first word that pops into everyone’s mind is Twitter. Twitter will always be the heavyweight simply because they were first.  Twitter should be just one of your primary microblogging tools. We all know what happens when we keep all our eggs in one basket. Listed below are six great twitter alternatives. These should be used in combination with Twitter.  One more thing to keep in mind is updating. You can use web based apps to update all your microblogging profiles in one shot. There are also Adobe Air/desktop applications such as Posty that work just as well.

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1) Identi.ca

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Identi.ca was launched in July of this year. It gained traction quickly, partially due to it being the first open-source Twitter clone.  It came on the scene at a time when Twitter’s service suffered from extensive outages and service limitations. Twitter users flocked in droves looking for a stable alternative.

Features:

  • 140 characters  limitation
  • Open ID
  • SMS capabilities
  • (XMPP based) instant messaging client IM updates
  • Crossposting to Twitter
  • Option to automatically follow back new subscribers
  • Adobe AIR/various desktop applications

It’s a win win situation for developers and end users:

Identi.ca is open-source, open data, has an API, and can be federated.

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2) Rejaw

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Rejaw is an interesting microblogging platform. Unlike Twitter, you are not bound by 140 chars, you have a spacious 1,000 character limit. The ability to post images and video is a major plus. The user interface is simple, easy on the eyes, and easy to use. I particularly like the use of big fonts and big text implemented on the site. It’s a definite welcome for the visually impaired.

Features:

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  • 1,000 characters limit messaging
  • Ability to post videos and images
  • Threaded conversations
  • Permalinks
  • Guests can comment on threads, no registration is necessary.
  • API for developers

3) Pownce

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Pownce is the creation of Digg founder, Kevin Rose. It’s another web based instant messaging system aka microblogging application with some distinct features. The character limitation is unlimited which gives you a lot of freedom to ramble. You can post messages, events and even share files.  Grouping of friends is a great collaborative feature built into the service.

Features:

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  • No character limitations
  • Ability to post videos and images
  • Grouping
  • Share files
  • Adobe AIR/desktop applications
  • API for developers

4) Jaiku

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Jaiku is  currently a Google property, since Google acquired them in Oct of 2007. It’s very comparable to twitter, with a 140 character limit. It offers a lifestreaming element by allowing you to add your blog, photos, and other RSS or Atom feeds to your stream.

Features:

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  • 140 character  limitation
  • SMS capabilities
  • (XMPP based) instant messaging client IM updates
  • lifestreaming capabilities
  • Adobe AIR/desktop applications
  • API for developers

5) Tumblr

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Tumblr is a microblogging platform abundant in features.  It is highly customizable and is suitable for short form blog posting. There is no commenting system, but a third party application such as Disqus can be implemented.  Along with posting messages, you can also post and share an assortment of media.  You also have the ability to use  a custom domain name. Overall, Tumblr blogs are easy to set up, maintain and should suit your basic microblogging needs, with a ton of bells and whistles.

Features:

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  • No character limitations
  • Ability to post audio, videos and images
  • Customizable
  • Email posting
  • Bookmarklet posting
  • IM updates via AOL Instant Messenger.
  • lifestreaming capabilities
  • RSS output feed
  • Adobe AIR/desktop applications
  • API for developers

6) Kwippy—

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Kwippy started out as an IM status aggregator. It has since evolved into a microblogging platform. It’s similar to Twitter with more of an emphasis on IM updating and aggregating. It currently lacks any mobile options. There is also an API, which I’m not sure has been publicly released yet.

Features:

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  • No character limitations
  • Convenient commenting on status messages
  • Instant messaging updates via Gtalk or Yahoo Messenger
  • Facebook statuses intergration
  • Threaded discussions
  • Permalinks
  • RSS output feed

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  • October 21, 2008 at 6:38 pm Morton Fox
    No Plurk?
  • October 21, 2008 at 11:10 pm Mark Wilson
    Is anyone using Jaiku? Is Google ever going to do anything with it?
  • October 21, 2008 at 11:11 pm Mohomed=genieyclo
    Plurk kills man! cmon!
  • October 21, 2008 at 11:15 pm Mona N.
    I love Tumblr, but I use it a little differently. They're images only and I have three. One main Tumblr for images (things I don't post on FriendFeed) and two sub Tumblrs connected to my main one for food and sweets. :) The bookmarklet ROCKS.
  • October 21, 2008 at 11:40 pm Kol Tregaskes
    Don't forget Plurk. ;-)
  • October 22, 2008 at 1:10 am Tim Hoeck
    I agree, Plurk probably should have been included, but I always found it a little wacky.. the timeline is a cool feature though... the rest are great alternatives!
  • October 22, 2008 at 2:06 am mrshl
    I'm also a fan of Plurk.
  • October 22, 2008 at 6:15 am funkyboy
    I am using Jaiku. And I really hope Google will add new features soon.
  • October 22, 2008 at 1:10 pm Mike Fruchter
    Plurk was on the review list. I left it off because it lacks IM and SMS capabilities at the moment that work. As it stands today, all you can do with Plurk is update your statuses. Besides the time line, Plurk brings nothing else to the table. Flame on :-)
  • October 22, 2008 at 1:21 pm Sasha Kovaliov
    well twitter lacks IM as well now :)
  • October 23, 2008 at 12:02 am Mark Krynsky
    Nice post Mike. I like all the details you provide in this roundup.
  • October 23, 2008 at 10:18 am Sophia Lucero
    "Besides the time line, Plurk brings nothing else to the table. Flame on :-)" - It's much easier to keep track of replies to your updates on Plurk. But I'm glad several people have suggested Plurk here. I've seen way too much Plurk hate on my Twitter timeline. Anyway, my real comment on your article would be: I think it's sad looking at it, considering several have been around before Twitter and now they look like copycats on some random list.
  • October 23, 2008 at 11:40 am Dan Morrill
    but do any of them tie into word press?
  • October 23, 2008 at 12:08 pm Majento
    Twitter is my primary, but when it comes to conversation Kwippy is my choice, it's got unique features, aside those mentioned on this post, such as "Invite your followers and friends to join this conversation", Yahoo FireEagle integration, and best of all... a warm & active community.