I’ve been trying Twitter for a couple of days (I’m eclat), after failing to see the point the first time I used it.

I now “get” Twitter and think I’ll be using it frequently in the future. It’s great for feeling connected to the people I know, to see which of my friends are around, and what they’re doing and thinking about. I’ve found I prefer to read tweets from people I know, rather than people I don’t know — though I’ve added a few bloggers because I’m interested in their updates. I also added a twittering plant which recently enjoyed media attention.

So far, I really like Twitter. I also really like Facebook, so I’m going to briefly compare my loves.

When I log in to Facebook, I like to see which of my friends have updated their information, photos, status, posted items, etc. Interaction via comments and messages goes on, but that’s not the focus of Facebook, and that’s not what I chiefly follow on Facebook.

One focus is on building a social network out of existing relationships. Another focus is on gathering and presenting information and facts about people. Photographs (visual facts, I guess), interests, favourite music, bio, etc.

Facebook has a Twitter-like status feature, but there is no way to reply directly to status updates. For that reason, status updates read as a monologue; they’re not part of a dialogue. Status updates feel lonely, somehow — they don’t invite longer conversations.

I realise now that this is why I feel uncomfortable about updating my status on Facebook. Self-consciousness; but also: who am I talking to? Who do I think is interested in what I’m doing or thinking about? Shouldn’t this invite or provoke a longer conversation? Perhaps it’s intentional that status updates are stand-alone, but I often find myself wanting to comment on a status update.

On Twitter, the focus is on people, stories, conversation. Facts get revealed through conversations on Twitter, rather than served up on a self-edited webpage, as they are on Facebook.

So far, I really like Twitter. I don’t think it can replace or compete with Facebook, because they’re good for different things.