Comparison+to+Other+Tools

**Text Messaging**
Twitter has a high similarity to text messaging, in that both can now be accomplished via either a cell phone or the Internet. However, Twitter and Text Messaging differ greatly as Text Messaging is a ONE-TO-ONE form of communication whereas Twitter is a ONE-TO-MANY form of communication.


 * ===[[image:3280609082_0d1f3eced0.jpg width="388" height="365" align="right" caption="Map of variety of Web 2.0 tools as of 2008."]]**ONE-TO-ONE**===
 * Text Messaging is often a one-to-one form of communication. Text messages can be sent in mass to many recipients, but the reply (and ultimately, the conversation) is between two people.
 * **ONE-TO-MANY**
 * Twitter is a more faceted form of communication. Tweets are sent to a set of followers, who can then respond with a tweet which will be seen by another set of followers. In a sense, Twitter is more of a web of communication.

**Email**
Twitter is also similar to email, but it has a few key differences. These differences lie in a few main areas: **SCOPE** and **PRIVACY**.


 * **SCOPE**
 * Email has a defined set of recipients. As outlined above, one tweet can eventually reach many followers of other Twitter users, which broadens the scope of information received.
 * **PRIVACY**
 * As well, email is a more private form of communication. Unless a tweet is sent as a direct message, tweets are public (unless the entire user profile is set to protected) which allows any user, follower or not, to access a Twitter user's tweets.

**Blog**
Blogging also has a high degree of similarity to Twitter. In fact, Twitter is often referred to as Microblogging, in that it allows a user to express opinions or promote resources in a smaller ("micro") set of 140 characters. Thus, the primary differences between Twitter and Blogging lie in USAGE and PURPOSE.


 * **USAGE**
 * Twitter is often used to pass information to a set of followers. However, this information is restricted to 140 characters, can be somewhat truncated, and is used to lead followers to one's full-fledged blog or interesting links.
 * **PURPOSE**
 * Twitter is often regarded as a replacement to RSS feeds, as following users who pass relevant links to their set of followers allows a follower to obtain more relevant and useful information in one's field than finding and saving an RSS feed to a blog.

Source
Pickett, Alexandra M. "Twitterpated by Twitter and Other Web 2.0 Tools for Instruction." February 2009. Accessed 14 November 2009 <[].>