Twitter http://www.twitter.com/girl_geeks

Real-time micro-blogging is gaining in popularity. But if you're wondering what's the point, here's Girl Geek's guide to the benefits of Twitter - and how to get started.

What is Twitter?
At its simplest, Twitter is a mini-blog where you record your thoughts or what you are up to in 140 characters or less. The enforced brevity of the service keeps the chat short, snappy and to the point.

How do I sign up?
Simply go to Twitter.com and sign up. It is an easy-to-use, free service.

What's the difference between Twitter and Facebook?
Twitter is a bit like status updates on Facebook. Unlike other social networking sites, it's not about connecting with people you know, it's about following people that interest you. Crucially, in Twitter you choose whose updates to “follow”. They appear automatically on your home page. Most people begin with a circle of friends but many find that they break out of this circle once they become regular users.

How many people use it?
Analysts estimate that there are 1.2 million active users, posting more than 2.25 million tweets every day. It is particularly popular in the UK (there are more Twitterers in London than any other city in the world).

FIVE TWITTER TIPS

1 Find some people to follow. Use the “find people” feature or search for subjects (go to search.twitter.com) that you might be interested in. Check the profiles of people who are following others who you follow. Try out a few. Follow at least 30 people to get a lively home page. Then start posting your updates. Don't expect many to follow you immediately. It will take some time and those you follow do not automatically follow you.

2 Be short and sweet. Quality matters more than quantity when it comes to “tweeting”, so don't use your 140 characters every time. Keep it light and chatty. Some tweet ten times an hour, some ten times a month. Tweet as often as you have something to say and your network will build. Use Tiny URL to turn long web addresses into short abbreviated URLs to help you keep tweets within the 140 character limit.

3 Observe the etiquette. If someone you follow posts an interesting update or link - copy and paste it into your update box with RT (retweet) at the start and post it.

4 Reply to someone by putting @ at the front of the name of the person you are responding to. Even if they are not following you, they are alerted to your post. Remember everyone can see these. If you want to message someone privately put a D or DM in front of the name and then your message.

5 Experiment. Twitter.com is a great platform but it is not very user-friendly - try one of the applications that outside developers have built: a favourite is Tweetdeck but there are also Twhirl and Twitterific. These give you a stand-alone home page where you can search Twitter, and they provide instant URL shortening, @ replies and retweeting, among other things.

Connect http://www.linkedin.com/in/girlgeeks

LinkedIn is an interconnected network of experienced professionals from around the world, representing 170 industries and 200 countries. You can find, be introduced to, and collaborate with qualified professionals that you need to work with to accomplish your goals.

Broadcast Yourself http://www.youtube.com/GIRLGEEKS

YouTube is the leader in online video and the premier destination for you to watch and share original videos worldwide through a Web experience. YouTube allows people to easily upload and share video clips on uk.YouTube.com and across the Internet through websites, mobile devices, blogs and email.