Customize Brightkite-to-Twitter updates Jul01 '08

Brightkite recently released a feature that allows users to customize their updates that get sent to Twitter.

Here's a standard Brightkite update on Twitter:

I'm at 150 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60602, USA http://bkite.com/977U.

If you ask me, this is rather bland. It sounds like a computer talking.

I've decided to make my Brightkite-to-Twitter updates look more human. I've converted the above example to:

I'm at or near 150 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60602. Say hello if you're here!

First, I added "at or near" since I'm not always exactly at the place when I update. "Near" means I could be just arriving, just leaving, or somewhere around the area. I've also added a personal touch to the very end: "Say hello if you're here!"

I use Brightkite and Twitter to meet people, after all. I want people to know that I'm open to meeting anytime, so don't be afraid to walk up to me and say hello.

I also removed the link at the end which normally takes you to the Brightkite site, with a map displaying exactly where I am. I've decided this is not necessary for Twitter. If you follow me on Brightkite, you have full access to the map already, so there's no need to send that to Twitter as well. I just want my Twitter followers to get an idea where I am. Doesn't have to be so precise with the map link (which also takes up extra characters in the tweet, so removing it saves room for other text).

Categories: Brightkite , Features , Twitter

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matthom is published and produced by Matt Thommes - an independent publishing enthusiast, mobile blogger, content creator, informative writer, web developer from Chicago. Never one to conform, Matt intends to promote the effect the web has on our lives, in an effort to intensify, instruct, and clarify all that is happening around us.

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