Microblogging

So what exactly is microblogging? And what is it good for?

These were some of the questions I was asking myself this week as I searched for articles and blog posts to enlighten me. In the end, I found two that I liked: Techans' Microblogging:What are you doing? and Microblogging: What Is it Good For? from WebProNews. Both had nice clear explanations of what you can use microblogging for - and the usage is pretty varied.

Basically, signing up for microblogging shares you're life in new ways. You can let your friends know what you had for lunch or where they can find you after class. You can advertise your newest blog post or give people the link to your new web page. If you're in business you can even post tantalizingly short previews of the new and unique aspects of your next hot item or service.

Also, because microblogging is just that - tiny little blog posts, they don't require the time or forthought necessary of true blogs. Afterall, it's a bit more difficult to commit any major blunders when limited to maybe 200 words. And now most services let you update your micrblog from your cell phone, email or instant messanger - so you don't even need to navigate out to the website.

So, is microblogging the next web 2.0 tool for you? Well, I guess that's for you to decide.