The #fixreplies hash tag is picking up steam. A while back, Twitter tested out its new features on noobie users, while older users were pretty much unaware. Well, the older users have since been introduced to these new features and are not liking them. And thus, the #fixreplies was born.
I knew of the features, because CatholicTechTip was concidered one of these noobie accounts, while my personal Twitter profile was much older. So I was aware of the pros and cons to both the old and new systems.
The pros and cons between the old and new Twitter reply settings:
(from the perspective of each side of the argument)
The #fixreplies Tweeple:
- The old system would allow you to see the @replies of your followees directed at tweeple you do not follow. I may want to join their conversation.
- I like to find new people to follow through my friends’ conversations with other people I don’t already follow. With the new system, I am unable to do this without having to physically click onto my followee’s profile page.
- If you want your conversations to be private, why not use the Message button?
The #donotfixreplies Tweeple:
- The new system hides the @replies of your followees to tweeple you do not follow.
- I like to reply to my tweeple’s tweets — a lot! And I don’t think you old system people would appreciate seeing all my posts to other people you do not follow.
- The new system keeps really good tweets from being bumped down so quickly.
Which side do you come down on this debate? Tweet us with your response, followed by the #fixreplies or the #donotfixreplies.
How the new reply system works:
(as I understand it)
If you begin a tweet with @user, only the people who are following both twersons will see the tweet. This cuts down on the clutter. Chances are, that you would unfollow someone who takes over your browser window with tweets (I would). But, at the same time we are encourage to have conversations on Twitter. The new system seems to make sense to me.
So how can we take advantage of the new system? Simple. If you want your followers to see a conversations whether they are following that person or not, put something in front of the @user. The new system only hides tweets that begin with @user, but if something preceeds it, all will see. You could even put the @user at the end of your tweet, which would also allow all to see. However you decide to do it, the person involved in the conversation will still get a notification on their personal @user page.
I like the new system, and I’ve used both systems. Some have commented that Twitter should make this an optional feature. I think this is a good idea. Then the debate would be, which should Twitter use as the default setting?
Hope I have shed some light on this topic. God Bless.
