Twitter - Seeking Clarity From This Helpful Community

[random-nexus.livejournal.com]

What-Ho!  Oh, wise and learned community -- at least those amongst the community who use Twitter -- I bring you a question:  In a previous comment to one of this community's posts, I asked about Twitter.  I just want to know how it works - from those who actually use it.  Does it spam your cellphone?  Your email?  Do you choose when to access what's going on with your feed?  It looks like you can update from your browser on your pc, is that so? 

I'm particularly interested in following Stephen Fry and Eddie Izzard, who have both been mentioned. 
Also, I know about Stephen Fry, but how do you know it's Eddie Izzard -- considering I saw that folks have outed whomever took the handle HughLaurie as an imposter?

If anyone wants to take the time to fill me in a bit, I'd be ever so grateful. 
Please and thank you!

Comments

[chippers87.livejournal.com]

Let me try to answer as much as I can. Twitter, in its most basic form, is on your internet browser: http://www.twitter.com . From there you can update and read others' updates. I can't remember if I had to adjust settings for this, but the only time I get email from Twitter is when I'm sent a direct message. There are various twitter applications. Many are for one's phone -- yes, it can get spam-alicious at times, but I think you can pick and choose whom to follow on your phone. On my computer, I use an app called TweetDeck. It separates out my general feed, replies, and direct messages as I see fit.

When it comes to the fake celebrities on Twitter, really, you have to use your best judgment. If it doesn't seem real, it's probably not. If it does, then there's a good chance that it is.

I hope this helped somewhat!

[random-nexus.livejournal.com]

*nods* Gotcha! I've heard folks mention TweetDeck before. Thank you!

I tend to assume that 'celebrities' are less likely to have the time to mess with something like Twitter, so I'd tend to expect that anyone claiming to be one probably isn't. It's good to know that Stephen Fry is the real article, as with Eddie Izzard. I agree, I can't see Hugh Laurie being the sort.

[chippers87.livejournal.com]

That's my general assumption, too, although there are some real live ones on there: Omar Epps, Kal Penn, Shaquille O'Neal, most of the House writers (they're celebrities in my world), Tina Fey, William Shatner, Ashton Kutcher, Demi Moore, etc.

[juliacarmen.livejournal.com]

Going OT: Most of the House writers I've seen have protected Twitters. Do they mind if you try to follow them?

Also, I wish there was a way I could read about people meeting/seeing Hugh and reporting on Twitter. But it's impossible to sort those posts from tweets like "Hugh Laurie excellent in House last night."
Is there anyone on House (or Band from TV) who occasionally drops a line about Hugh? Epps and Penn don't, from what I can see...
It would be nice to know how he's doing, since he doesn't twitter and interviews are few and far between...

Ok, really, I'm just nosy :-p

[chippers87.livejournal.com]

Two names: Sara Hess and Doris Egan. I also follow Russel Friend, but I don't remember if he's locked now. For a few of them, I was kind of grandfathered in when they locked their profiles. For the other writers, look at the number of people following them. If it's a really, really small number, then they'll most likely not let you follow them. But again, Sara and Doris are your best bets.

Sara is by far the most entertaining of the twittering writers, and she does occasionally mention Hugh, usually referring to him as "#1." Sara and Doris both talk about Robert Sean Leonard a fair amount, which is really fun.

[juliacarmen.livejournal.com]

Cool! Thank you!