Community Corner

Virtual Dacula: Twitter

Dacula Patch takes a look at some local Twitterers.

Are you on Twitter? Do you even know or care what Twitter is?

If you have not yet joined the Twitter nation, you are missing out on a fascinating online experience. With an estimated 200 million users, Twitter.com is a hugely popular micro-blogging site.

Unlike Facebook, where users can post lengthy updates and comment on each other’s posts, Twitter limits messages or “tweets” to 140 characters. Though users cannot comment directly on these mini status updates, they can repost or “retweet” interesting updates. Essentially, Twitter is a virtual ticker tape of news, events and daily activities – and it is addictive.

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According to Pew Internet Research, eight percent of adult American Internet users use Twitter to follow friends, businesses, celebrities and politicians. You can even follow more unusual Twitterers such as Darth Vader, Batman and Jerk Superman.

While keeping up with a constant stream of activity can be difficult, Twitter makes it possible for you to organize those you follow into lists. I keep lists for Gwinnett news, Metro Atlanta news, Georgia politics, things that make me laugh and just Dacula.

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Here’s a look at a few of the Dacula area Twitterers I follow:

LOCAL POLITICS

Dacula Mayor Jimmy Wilbanks (@mayordacula) has a Twitter account. Mayor Wilbanks is more active on Facebook, but I think it is great that he has embraced several forms of social media to communicate with his constituents. Mayor Wilbanks also has his own blog.

COMMUNITY

Hamilton Mill United Methodist Church (@HMUMC1450) keeps its followers updated with links to the church’s newsletter, information about class meeting times and other church activities.

ENTERTAINMENT

Dacula’s one and only bowling alley/family entertainment center, Stars and Strikes (@StarsnStrikesGA) tweets regularly about upcoming events and specials. With over 800 followers, Stars and Strikes is also one of the most popular Dacula area Tweeters I have found so far.

BUSINESS

Rancho Alegre Farm (@RanchoAlegreFrm), host of the Dacula Farmer’s Market, is another active Tweeter posting market specials, news links and information about upcoming events.

NEWS

Naturally, Dacula Patch (@DaculaPatch) is on Twitter. Our Twitter account provides an easy way for you to check headlines throughout the day and get breaking news updates. I also use TwitPic and TwitVid to provide pictures and video from meetings and other events. If you were following last month, you even had the chance to take a virtual ride on the Dacula luge.


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