Twitter is a free social networking and micro-blogging service that enables its users to send and read other users' updates known as tweets in real-time. Twitter is a service for friends, family, and co–workers to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent messages.

Unlike a normal blog which has no limits to the size of postings a micro-blogging service like Twitter limits users to sending short text messages 140 characters in length, called "tweets". The short format of the tweet is a defining characteristic of the service, allowing informal collaboration and quick information sharing that provides relief from rising email and IM fatigue

According to Nielsen Online, Twitter grew 343% between September 2007 and September 2008. Additionally with all the publicity during the recent US elections with President Obama making such great use of Twitter to get his message out, Twitter has gain a level of credibility amongst the business community which has resulted in an even greater surge in popularity.

There are a number of reasons Twitter is so popular including –

     •    Its simplicity
     •    Chameleon-like ability to be many things to many people
     •    The web is transitioning from mere interactivity to a more dynamic, real-time web where read-write functions are heading towards balanced synchronicity
     •    More and more people are publishing more and more “social objects” and sharing them online. That data deluge is creating a new kind of search opportunity
     •    Twitter essentially embodies the latest in macro trends but hides them behind the elegant simplicity of 140 characters
     •    Twitter is about publishing and communicating, not about its underlying technology

Activity 1: Who owns the data | Activity 2: Who owns the data