4.2.3.2 Real time information: the Twitter example

Even if search engines are indexing the information faster and faster some applications do it quicker. Twitter is the example of it. Through the concept of microblogging.

Microblogging is the practice of posting brief messages (no more than 140 characters in the case of Twitter), regular updates about your thoughts, ideas, which can be viewed by a group of your choosing via text messaging, email, instant messages or the Web. (Maximum PC. (2008). Microblogging. P.10)

Twitter is looking for real time information, what is happening right now:

Twitter real time information search engine

Twitter has been recently very popular with the political situation in Iran, (Yang, G. (2008). Despite many counter-measures and filters, digital democracy continues to trouble authoritarian regimes.) being the one of the rare technology being available.

Real time information is not fixing the data quality issue, information is coming from individuals where the risk of hoaxes is high. However on the other hand fresh information is also critical for some businesses.