Twittering on Twitter

There was so much hype about Twitter, that we decided we should check it out. For those of you who are stuck in the last year (the phrase "last century" is no more appropriate for the current exponential changes in technology) Twitter is a way for people to let friends and family know what is going on, at any given moment.

So... this is how it works; you create an account on Twitter.com. Then you can write up to 160 words for each "update" and people who follow you on Twitter will be able to know what is going on. It is similar to "status updates" on facebook. Kind of like this blog, but instead of a whole paragraph it is just a snippet of information. For example "Diver's just left for boat." "We are eating lunch." "Diver's said they saw a turtle." Etc.

Anyway... apparently people are really into it, and after having signed up, it's kind of addictive. Not that anyone is actually following it at the moment, but it kind of gives you an "I'm famous, people want to know what I am doing" feeling. Totally unfounded, however.

If you would like to follow us on Twitter, then just look at http://twitter.com/Octopusdiving
or, alternatively, I have put a "Twitter box" on our homepage. The latest ramblings are about internet frustration. But maybe it will be interesting to see how it works. It means that as people go on our website they can a) check out the blog to find out what is going on OR b) look at the Twitter box for a sentance summarizing current activities in Saint Martin.

If you are coming to this site via the website, then you have already seen it. If you are coming as a loyal follower of my blognonesense, then check out our website on the home page http://octopusdiving.com

You can even set Twitter up so that you can update it from your phone. Luckily, we can't take phones diving, or I might be sending in messages like "just saw a fish" "10 minutes into dive, I'm at 60 feet" "diver seems to be trying to get my attention" "diver still signaling me" "maybe I should help" "No, I'd rather send messages to Twitter."

Maybe this is one of the reasons that diving is so special, because down there the only way of communicating with anyone is through hand signals, or maybe tapping on your tank to make some noise. There is no instantaneous way of letting the entire world aware of exactly what you are doing in that second. The time during the dive, that is just for you!

So, that's all for now. The divers are at Tintamarre at the moment, and via a text message sent from my husband (from the boat), I know that the vis is really great. Maybe he should have texted that to Twitter? Then I could have checked on-line to find out, instead of the boring way of actually receiving the message on my phone.

OH, and don't worry, I promise not to abandon the blog!

(this was written by Sally :P )