Tweetie for Mac | Lightweight Twitter on Your Desktop

Earlier this week, Tweetie 1.0 was released for Mac OS X. It is a lightweight, desktop Twitter application. Tweetie for Mac, along with its companion piece, Tweetie for iPhone, can be found at atebits.com.

In my first few days with Tweetie, I have found it to be a capable and useful product. Below is a discussion of the elements that I most like and dislike about Tweetie.

What I Like

Lightweight

I do not like to eat up my computer's resources with applications that run full-time. Thus, I allow very few to do this and choose them wisely. According to my activity monitor, Tweetie uses only about 24 megabytes of RAM when idle. To put this in perspective, that is about twice as much my Dock and half as much as Mail when it is idle. This suggest that Tweetie can run all the time, without bogging down my system resources, which is a highly desirable trait.

Simple and Fast

In addition to the raw numbers, Tweetie operates efficiently and quickly. When I click on its icon, the window zips onto the screen. The menus are fast and smooth. Hotkeys are also built in to allow users to switch between pages using the keyboard.

The Tweetie application window

Features

The navigation column allows me to view my feed, @ replies, private messages, and searches. To display an entire discussion trail, all one needs to do is double click on any message in the feed. Furthermore, a reply button appears at the top-right of every tweet and makes sending @ replies to others fast and easy. The search menu includes trends, so one can easily locate what is being discussed across Twitter at any given time.

Tweetie also has nice integration and configuration options. It is tied into four image hosting and five URL shortening services, which can be accessed when writing a new post, from within the application. Moreover, customizable preferences are included for display names, links, fonts, and notifications.

Lastly, I particularly like how Tweetie notifies users of new activity on their accounts. It strikes a nice balance between infuriating, hyperactive, and all-too-common popups and something so subtle that it would go undetected. When the application window is open, a blue dot appears next to any icon on the navigation column that has changed since it was last viewed. If the application is running in the background, the Tweetie icon that appears in the menu bar is highlighted in blue. In this way, the notifications are subtle enough to only be found when one is curious about updates, while remaining ignorable when a user is busy with other work.

Menu bar notification

Active window notification

What I Do Not Like

Usability

There are a few areas for usability improvement in Tweetie. For one, the new post button is very tiny, located in the lower left of the application, and blends right into the window. Fortunately, there is a nice gap in the upper-right corner of the application where a large button could be placed to solve this problem. Another issue arises when finding trends in the search window. One has to click the little magnifying glass icon to bring up a window with the trends, then slide down the window to select a page to view. Instead, the trends feature should have its own button, so a listing of all popular items can be accessed efficiently. A few minor usability touchups would make Tweetie an even more desirable product.

Can you find the new post button?

Now can you find the new post button?

Trends search window

Bugs

I have experienced a few bugs with the early version of this software. For example, I got a reproducible "internal server error" when trying to attach an image to a post using TwitPic. Similarly, I find that the search function does not always display the current trends. Sometimes they randomly disappear until I click away from the search page and return to it. These and any other identified bugs need to be fixed in future versions of the software.

Pricing

I do not think that the current Tweetie for Mac pricing model makes any sense. The application is available in a free, ad-supported form in which the advertisements are not the slightest bit intrusive nor bothersome. This is a very good thing and I think that the free version of the software is well done. However, it is the $14.95 (until May 4, then $19.95) registered version of the software that does not compute. Most importantly, the only difference between the two is that the paid version has no advertisements. This does not actually add any value to the software. As mentioned, the ads are completely benign. Hence, the only people who would be motivated to pay for the full version right now are fanboys looking to support the developer or users who cannot bear even the most minimalist advertising. I would gladly pay to upgrade my software, but only if there is significant value added in the paid version that goes beyond the free version. After all, I did purchase the iPhone version of Tweetie (although it is less expensive and has better features than the desktop version). At the moment however, I recommend that interested readers use the free version of Tweetie for Mac.

The Future of Tweetie for Mac

Not all is lost in terms of the paid version of Tweetie. It simply has to expand its feature set and increase its value. I have a few ideas for accomplishing this.

• improve usability (see previous comments)
• fix bugs (see previous comments)
• lower the price of the paid version: I can buy the Tweetie for iPhone application for only $2.99 and it has a richer feature set than the $19.95 desktop application. Furthermore, $19.95 is a lot to ask for a simple, lightweight, Twitter application, especially considering the hordes of competing products available.
• offer a package deal: Since Tweetie is already one of the most beloved iPhone Twitter applications and it is now available for the desktop, why not bundle the software together? I have seen this method used successfully for other products, such as QuickVoice. In this case, the desktop software could be seen as an intriguing bonus to new and preexisting iPhone customers.
• add relevant features: Tweetie needs enough useful, value-added features to justify its price and compel users to upgrade. One no-brainer would be to add public timeline support. I am actually shocked that this is missing from the initial version, as it is the most basic element of Twitter itself. For a more in-depth example, consider that the iPhone application has a nice rainy day feature called "nearby." It takes one's current location and searches for tweets from surrounding users. This can give an interesting local perspective to Twitter. It would be even better if "nearby" implemented a trends function. This would allow users to see the hot topics of discussion wherever they currently are, in the same way that "trends" currently allows them to view that information on a global level. Incorporating more value into the paid version of Tweetie is key to enticing customers to experience the product.

Thus far, I am pleased with the Tweetie for Mac application, in spite of its room for improvement. I sincerely hope that the developer is planning to increase its functionality and add value to the software on an ongoing basis. A solid foundation for an outstanding product is in place, but the temple has yet to be built.

To keep up to date on future versions of the software, be sure to visit the Tweetie for Mac website.

Ignite Lansing Relax

The first Ignite Lansing session took place on April 17, 2009 in East Lansing, Michigan. It was one of numerous Ignite events that have taken place worldwide since the original was held in Seattle, Washington in 2006. The night consisted of two main portions, which included a bridge building contest and a number of short presentations.

I contributed to the latter segment, which allowed speakers five minutes and required them to provide twenty slides. This averages out to just fifteen seconds per slide. The interesting thing about the Ignite rules is that presenters are unable to control the advancement of their own presentations. Thus, they are forced into the fifteen second per slide constraint.

It was this fast, curious, and experimental approach to giving a speech that enticed me to submit a proposal. I imagined that Ignite would be a very upbeat and hurried whirlwind of information. And for the most part, it was. In contrast, my idea was to change the pace with a slow, calm, and humorous presentation. The goal was to leave viewers feeling more soothed and lighthearted than they were prior to seeing me. Hence, "Lansing Relax" was born.

I was not sure quite what to expect out of the event, but when my time came for my presentation, it followed closely to how I had planned. The slower approach seemed to work well, as I found the audience cracking up at the moments of silence as much as the images that I was displaying or words I was saying. Viewers seemed to be in a very positive mood and ready to laugh, which definitely worked in my favor. Ironically, an interesting thing happened on my first slide. The font did not display properly and caused the final character of the title to be horrendously wrapped around to a second line. But, seeing as my presentation was about relaxation, this turned out to be a benefit. Someone in the audience shouted out "relax" and I agreed. So, a computer error ended up giving us a chance to understand the essence of the presentation through what would have normally been an unsettling experience. Overall, I enjoyed being a part of Ignite and would be happy to participate in a similar event in the future. The night consisted primarily of an ironic blend of environmental, agricultural, and technological presentations. From attending the conference, I took away that the main focus of Ignite is to help network and inform community members by exposing them to what their peers are doing. Attendees sought to share their work, interests, and ideas. The plan for Ignite Lansing is to have recurring sessions every three to four months. Thus, a stronger and more knowledgeable community can be built over time.

All of the presentations from Ignite Lansing were streamed live and the recordings have been preserved online. Below, I have linked to my presentation, as well as a few of the others that I found interesting. Enjoy!

• All Videos
• Lansing Relax | YouTube
• The Party Called Twitter: Meet the Characters | YouTube
• Top Ten Ways to Wreck a Company | YouTube
• Growing Flint | YouTube
• Rothbury 2008 : A Story of Sustainability for a Large Music Festival | YouTube

How to Make Skype Your iPhone's Sole Service Provider

By now, you have had the opportunity to read about how I switched from my traditional cellular provider to a Skype-only solution. This guide will take you through the conversion process in three easy steps, so you can also benefit from affordable, quality, VOIP service. Note that I took all of the actions listed in this tutorial. However, I listed some items as "recommended." These are not required, but will render your Skype experience much more effective.

Step 1: Get Skype for Your iPhone

Download and install the Skype application on your iPhone. You need to have a free Skype account in order to use the software. You can create a new account either through the iPhone or desktop version of Skype.

Step 2: Sign Up for a Skype Subscription Plan and Online Number

A Skype subscription plan will allow you to make calls from the iPhone (or desktop) application to contacts who are not Skype users, such as those on traditional cellular networks or landline services. You have multiple subscription options. One is to "pay as you go" by purchasing Skype Credit, which can then be used to make outgoing calls. Another is to pay for unlimited calling on a monthly basis which, in the U.S. and Canada, is $2.95 per month. These first two choices are prudent if you are not completely confident in abandoning your cellular service and want to test things out first. Lastly, if you are planning to rely on Skype for all of your mobile service, I suggest purchasing a 12 month unlimited calling plan at the price of $29.50. This yearly plan will qualify you for 50% off of an online number ($30 per year after discount), which is necessary for your non-Skype contacts to call you through the Skype application. An online number is essentially a new phone number that anyone can call, just like a normal phone number. The difference is that behind the scenes work is done to route all of your incoming calls through Skype, so you can answer them inside the application.

Recommended: Jailbreak Your iPhone

To get the most out of the Skype application, and to make it a viable replacement for traditional cell phone service, you will need to jailbreak your iPhone. This process is made simple with one of multiple free programs available online (see the iPhone Dev-Team Blog for the latest updates and official downloads). Likewise, there are excellent tutorials that explain the jailbreaking process. Just be sure to find a guide that covers the OS and iPhone version that you are using.

Recommended: Backgrounder

Once your iPhone is jailbroken, you will have the ability to download the free Backgrounder application via Cydia. Backgrounder allows your iPhone to run applications in the "background." This is similar to what happens on a computer when you open one program, minimize it, and then run a new program at the same time. This common computing behavior is restricted on the iPhone, which only permits one application to run at a time (I cannot tell you why). Backgrounder enables you to have Skype running, even while using other features and applications. This means that you can always be ready to receive a call, in spite of what else you may be doing on your phone. To automatically enable Skype to run in the background, open Backgrounder. Under the "Preferences" heading, choose Auto-enabled Applications. Find Skype in the list, and slide the dial to the "ON" position.

Recommended: Turn Off Auto-Lock and Engage Insomnia

In my early experimentation with Skype on the iPhone, I noticed that even if the application is running and in full Wi-Fi access, it tends to time out a few minutes after the phone goes into lock (sleep) mode. To correct this, first you will need to turn off auto-locking. On your iPhone, go to Settings > General > Auto-Lock and select the option for "Never." This will stop the iPhone from automatically locking itself after a specified period of inactivity. However, you can still lock the phone at any time by pressing the button on the top of the device.

Another useful free application that can be downloaded from Cydia is Insomnia. To further ensure that your iPhone does not go into sleep mode nor lock itself, you need to install and engage the Insomnia application by touching its icon. After disabling auto-lock and starting Insomnia, you can retain your connection to Skype, even if you do not constantly use your iPhone.

Step 3: Dump Your Old Service Provider

Now that you have a reasonable, affordable, and quality cellular service solution, you can call your traditional phone company and have your service canceled. Granting yourself the power to choose an alternative, low-cost, low-commitment, but high-quality service is indeed the motivation behind switching to Skype in the first place.

Recall that your decision to choose Skype should be based on your needs as a cell phone user. In my case, the tradeoffs related to Wi-Fi only service are negligible compared to the annual savings that I stand to achieve (estimated $750 per year). I still have much to experiment with in terms of keeping Skype as my only service provider. As I make new discoveries and determine the best ways to utilize mobile Skype, I will be sure to share them with you.

The Mobile VOIP Revolution: Proof that Skype for iPhone is the AT&T Killer

There has been plenty of discussion surrounding the newly released Skype application for iPhone. I have come by numerous articles deeming it useless, pointless, or a complete waste. These reports often include entirely untrue and misleading information. For example, this Skype FAQ article states the following.

8. Can you also forward your mobile calls to your Skype-In number? If you can, presumably you can avoid time charges from your mobile carrier by making and receiving all calls with Skype as long as you're somewhere where you can get a Wi-Fi signal.

This wouldn't actually work in your favor on the iPhone if you intend to use the device for anything other than waiting to receive a call. Remember that Skype is only active when you're signed in, and cannot run in the background due to Apple's rules and regulations in its version 2.0 software.

The preceding information is false. The iPhone has a free application, named "Backgrounder," that will allow one to remain logged into Skype while also using any of the iPhone's other features or applications. Thus, users can receive calls at any time via Skype. That is just one significant reason why Skype is a viable replacement for traditional cellular service.

Note that I do not intend to single out that particular article, but I have indeed read numerous statements like that one in recent reports. They mask themselves as helpful FAQs or objective editorials while manipulating less informed consumers who are curious about replacing their cellular services with VOIP. I am unaware of the reason that so many bloggers want to dissuade readers from abandoning their beloved phone companies.

I, for one, encourage the mass (dare I say, inevitable) exodus to begin. No longer are users tied to lengthy contracts with exploitative terms of service and exorbitant charges. While I could preach my points with a nicely refined essay on why Skype is the cellular savior, instead I am going to do what other theorists are not by putting my proverbial Skype credit where my headset is. I have become living proof that mobile Skype is the liberator of consumers from the tyranny of traditional phone companies.

What I Did

To start, I downloaded the Skype iPhone application, followed by Backgrounder. This allowed me access to Skype on my mobile device and run it simultaneously with other programs.

Next, I went to Skype's website and signed up for a 12-month service plan, which costs $29.50 per year (the monthly option is $2.95). The yearly plan qualified me for a 50% discount on an "online number," which is necessary for non-Skype users to call my phone. There were tons of choices available, so I eventually selected a new number that I was satisfied with and paid $30 to acquire it. All together, the Skype portion of the process cost me $60 and set me up for a full calendar year.

To conclude the conversion process, I had to dump my old service provider. This was undoubtedly the most satisfying step. I called AT&T and had my contract canceled immediately. Of course, I was charged an early termination fee of $175.

That was all it took for me to switch from my traditional phone company to an affordable, high-quality VOIP solution. I will never be forced into an overpriced, long-term phone contract ever again. Imagine how good that feels. The future of cellular telephony is here.

Numbers and Concerns

In case you are curious to know how I weighted my decision to switch exclusively to Skype, I am going to provide you with my thoughts and calculations.

My Old Contract

I signed up for my 2G iPhone with a 2-year contract in December of 2007. Since that time, I had both the minimum allowable monthly phone plan from AT&T at $39.99 and the required data plan at an additional $20.00 per month. Sinisterly enough, I was also charged hidden and unexplained fees of approximately $7 per month. All together, my monthly 2G iPhone bill came out to $67, which equates to $1,608 over the lifespan of the contact. Note that although the hardware initially cost $399 plus a $35 activation fee plus taxes, this information did not apply to my decision to switch, since I will continue to use the same hardware and only my service is being altered.

Enter Skype

By the time Skype came to the iPhone, I had eight months, or $536 remaining on my contract. The fee for me to terminate my contract early was $175. Setting up everything I needed for Skype, as previously described, cost $60 for an entire year. To equal out the terms for comparison, I will count only eight months worth of my Skype costs, or $40 ($60 * 8/12 months).

Obvious Monetary Savings

$536 payments remaining on my contract

-$175 early termination fee

-$40 cost for Skype

=====

$321 total savings for switching to Skype

By the time December of 2009 rolls around (when my original contract would have expired), I will have saved $321 by switching from AT&T to Skype. Note that in your case, the more months that are left on your contract, the more money you will save by switching out early. My early termination fee of $175 is equal to only 2.67 months of service. As of this writing, for anyone with more than two months remaining on their contracts, which would include all current iPhone users, it pays to switch.

Non-monetary Concerns

• Wi-Fi Only

One major issue with using Skype as the only service provider for my iPhone is that it will only operate when I have access to wireless internet. This concern was mitigated with ease after I thought about it for a moment. I work on a college campus that is fully covered with a wireless network and also have a Wi-Fi base station in my home. The only times that I find myself separated from wireless access are when I am outside (and would not want to talk to people on the phone) and when I am driving (and definitely should not be using my cell phone). I estimate that I spend as few as 16 and as many as 23 hours enveloped in Wi-Fi on any given day. I think I can plan my calls around this schedule.

• Skype Only Works When it is Running

Ah, but with Backgrounder, I can run Skype at the same time as any other applications on my iPhone. Thus, Skype is prepared to receive calls whenever I want to be reachable. Other articles' claims that this is impossible are plainly untrue and misleading. All one needs to do is download Backgrounder via Cydia and set Skype to run in the background. It takes no special configurations nor technical knowledge, but just a few touches of the screen.

• No Emergency Calls

Skype has been adamant for years about not linking into emergency phone services. Months ago, before I even knew a Skype application was being developed, I hinted at my plan to transition to VOIP to a family member, once the right avenue became available. I mentioned that one drawback was no access to emergency service. I received a reply to the effect of "people lived for years without cell phones." That statement instantly help me put things into perspective. Mobile phones are not necessities, rights, nor privileges. They are simple luxuries that people pay to have access to and have only become common over the last 10-15 years. I hope to be fortunate enough not to be subjected to any emergency situations that would require a call from my iPhone. However, I believe that should I encounter one, using my own instincts and intellect, paired with the copious non-cellular emergency services available, will be a much better solution than immediately running to my mobile phone and expecting everything to be all better in an instant. Paying for traditional phone service just to keep the emergency calling feature would be as spurious as paying for a home security system or health insurance because I believed that it protected me from harm. There is truly no such thing as protection, for these services only provide customers with an illusion that is perceived as safety. Actually being as safe as possible and doing the right things at the right times is a far better course of action. Yet, as more and more people rely on Skype and other VOIP products, providers will eventually be compelled to integrate with emergency systems.

• Quality of Service

Everything that I have read about VOIP indicates that it is just as good, or better, than traditional phone networks in terms of service quality. Obviously, this is something that I will have to experience for myself and cannot assess for certain at this time. However, others' positive experiences are enough to encourage me to at least try VOIP. Furthermore, Skype offers a free test number, which allowed me to check my connection and hear myself speaking as would someone on the other end. It sounded excellent.

Conclusion

Having addressed all of my concerns related to making Skype the sole provider for my iPhone, I was ready to take the plunge. In spite of all of the opinions that one can find online that speculate against what I am doing, I aim to be concrete proof as to whether Skype can replace AT&T for iPhone users across the globe. I plan to weigh the pros and cons at a future date and will be sure to report back on my experience. Seeing as the break even cost point between my old contract and my new service is approximately two and a half months away, I believe that that will be an opportune time to reassess my personal experiment and share the findings.

Update: I have now written a three step guide that explains how you can make the transition to Skype-only service for your iPhone.

2009: A Year in Mad Libs - April

We kick off April's Mad Libs with a message from Mother Conficker...

April

Wednesday, April 1: Mom's Message

Hi, it's your mother. Where are you? I've left over 15 million Conficker viruses on your answering PC. Maybe you forgot to turn the hopeless ringer on. You're coming for Monopoly tonight, aren't you? I'll call you later...

Thursday, April 2: TV Viewing Tips, Part Three

"Law And Gates": The District Attorney believes the sentence handed out to Jobs is lucrative. She convinces the genius judge to change his verdict.

Tuesday, April 7: How To Go To Sleep

You must learn to relax so you will have a deadly mind. First, drink a cup of hot acid rain and stretch out in a toxic position. Then, breathe magically and think about something beautiful.

Saturday, April 11: Easter

Here's how you color Easter eggs: First, mix a package of unoriginal dye in a bowl full of hot chocolate. Then dip a duplicate in the bowl and rinse it off with crude oil. Then, after it dries, you can paint on it with a brush. Your friends will say, "Boy, what an insufferable egg!"

Tuesday, April 14: The Radio

I listen groin-grabbingly to the radio every morning. I hear the colorized movies and the Atlanta Braves, which help me plan my day. My favorite news reporter is Ted Turner.

Wednesday, April 15: Coffeehouses

Coffeehouses have become the place where unwieldy friends gather and chew the box, remembering the good old shoelaces as they sip their steaming cups of puss.

Thursday, April 16: It's About Time

Thousands of bleeps ago, there were calendars that enabled the ancient scoundrels to divide a year into twelve vagabonds, each month into 1,000,000 weeks, and each week into seven VGA monitors.

Friday, April 17: A Letter Home

Dear Folks, I'm in L.A. It's awesome. I met the greatest booger. She plays tongue with a sultry band. She has coral hair and wears a watermelon. Love you!

Saturday, April 18: On Dating A Twin

Going out with an identical tweet is twitty freaky! No one can tell twins apart, not even their tweeps. Everything about them is the same. The color of their tweets, the shape of their twaps, and the shape of their chiseled twicks.

Wednesday, April 22: Slumber Strategies

If all else fails, read a good woolly mammoth until you drift off into a frigid sleep. If this doesn't do it, give up and head for a volcano.

Friday, April 24: Famous Quotes From The American Revolution

Patrick Henry Said: Give me liberty or give me glasses. Thomas Jefferson said: All gardens are created equal. They are endowed by their creator with certain monochrome rights and among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of the future.

Saturday, April 25: How To Clean Your Computer

Since I use my computer every day, it can get delirious really pathetically. I always make sure to squirt some Dewar's on the screen to get it nice and forbidden.

Monday, April 27: Ballet

Ballet companies are springing up like bonnets all over the country. Ballet is a form of dance in which male and female fishnets tell a story through movement of their arms and gills to scrumptious music.

Thursday, April 30: Get Out On The Dance Floor

Decay your fanciest bra and wear lucky shoes. You wouldn't want your hair to hurt while you're lunging.

Conficker Virus Unleashed: Apple Affected!

At 12:00 AM on April 1, 2009, the Conficker C computer virus was engaged on nearly 15 million Windows systems worldwide. While the effects of the virus are largely unknown at this time, I have discovered one unexpected consequence though my own personal research. It involves a modification of Apple's website that occurs only on infected systems, presumably through exploiting the Internet Explorer browser.

All items in the online Apple Store are now priced $999 or less

In the wake of a misguided marketing campaign by Microsoft that attacks Apple hardware for being priced over $1,000, Conficker C has ironically managed to completely undercut Microsoft's already irrational argument by making it plainly untrue. If your system is infected with the Conficker C virus, you can see it for yourself. All Apple Store products are now being sold for $999 or less. No hardware was spared, including laptops with 17 inch screens that would normally require destitute Windows users to "double their budgets," which understandably, "just isn't feasible."

Apple Reacts

One would expect Apple to be in a frenzy over the unauthorized infiltration by the virus, but in a surprise move, the company has decided to embrace its new pricing system for current Windows customers. In an official statement to the press, an Apple representative expressed no concern whatsoever about the potential for diminished margins or excessive demand. Simply and elegantly put, the representative stated that nearly all of the infected users are not capable of purchasing Apple hardware for they are "just not cool enough to be mac people."

Microsoft Reacts

Microsoft, never to be upstaged by a virus, has already leaked a new graphic that is to be incorporated into its latest advertising campaign. Luckily, I was able to get ahold of this previously unreleased image and share it will you.

What's Next?

This is an early sign of things to come for the Conficker C virus, which is certain to wreak havoc on the digital world at a level previously witnessed only during the Y2K disaster. Stay tuned to your RSS aggregator for continued updates about the malicious attack. If the inclusion of Apple in its diabolical scheme is any indication, it is safe to say one thing about Conficker C...No one is safe!