Twitter is an amazing tool. I use it daily to interact with other higher-ed web people, get breaking tech news, follow live feeds of events, and get (or give) mundane updates on people’s lives. I have to admit, when I first came across twitter I didn’t really get it. Not that I didn’t understand the premise, but I didn’t understand how it could create anything but more noise. I was wrong. I love twitter. It has created a virtual office full of people like me. They get my jokes, understand subtle web geek references, and are smart and willing to jump in with suggestions and help. What makes it all the more interesting is that tweets are limited to 140 characters or less. Not much to be doling incredible pieces of wisdom in … or is it.

I have been playing with the idea of creating a collaborative blog post using twitter for some time. I have made a few failed attempts, but really wanted to see the idea fly so I persisted. This week I sent out a tweet (it’s what twitter posts are called) looking for tweets of advice for web designers/developers in 140 characters.

So here is the first in a series (I hope) of Twitter blog posts. Here is the challenge I posed:

You have 140 characters to share the most important piece of advice or a tip for web designers/developers. Be creative. If you make me laugh, you’re definitely in the post

Here is what I got from some of my favorite twitterers (is that a word?):

From bradjward

Coding is like giving a speech. Just pretend your audience is naked. Because on the internet…. there’s a pretty good chance it’s true.

From ganyardp

Just like adding fashion accessories…look at it before launch (you leave the house) and take one thing out (off)…less is more.

From chasgrundy

“Marketing is a tax you pay for being unremarkable.” Start by scrapping what you’ve always known and be ready to grow extra-thick skin.

From jjsteffe

Alot 2 weeks or more for IE6 testing/conversions in your redesign – or just uninstall IE from your boss’s machine to make life simple.

From rachelwebster

Listen. Listen more. Listen again. Then process what you think you heard, and run it by your clients before starting anything.

From rieye

Look at what you are doing. If it bores you, it’ll bore other people.

From fienen

Whatever you do, don’t stop learning, because what was right last year is probably wrong now. That goes double if you’re a man.

From jamespaden

Fire bad clients. Serve good clients as if your life depended on it.

From escorial

Creating something from scratch is easy, the beautiful challenge is to crate something within the frame and constrictions of a brand.

From nickdenardis

Be kind to others and comment your code. Try something new every project, make management rein you in. Remember, Red Bull is your friend.

From rolaine

Biblical take: BALANCE of truth and grace. Too much truth/info = boring. Too much grace/design element = too busy on the eyes.

From luker

Web Design 101: Communicate, don’t decorate.

From wnalyd

One day you’ll discover everything you’ve learned about the web is wrong. For the second time. Never get cocky about the web.

From aaronrester

Walk a mile in your users’ shoes, and it will save a lot of wear and tear on the seat of your pants.

From ctbarber

Run. Run fast.

From ericstoller

Tables are for picnics, not websites. Accessibility is a must, why Flash when you can CSS? Don’t steal source, eduStyle users will notice…

From abstractrandom

If it’s obvious, then it doesn’t need to be said. EX: Complete the fields in the form below and click submit.

From ctbarber

Learn from others, and share what you learn.

From pberry

This entry was posted on Wednesday, September 10th, 2008 at 4:34 pm and is filed under Social Networking. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.