When Spokesman-Review columnist/blogger Dave Oliveria started bugging me about Twitter, I scoffed at the notion that I needed any more social media in my life. Facebook already ate up too much of my time. Oliveria insisted that Twitter is far more valuable than Facebook when it comes to tracking and reporting breaking news. However, the only breaking news I usually cover is when I break a fingernail. Yet as more and more of my media friends started jumping on the Twitter-wagon, I wondered if I might be missing out/Cindy Hval, SR Front Porch. More here.

• Also by Cindy: Hard times strengthened couple's bond/Love Stories

Question: How long will you resist the Twitter bug.

Note to self: Don't drink on the job, don't swap insults about the “idiot boss” (aka the congressman) and, oh, don't tweet about it. Three congressional aides for U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen apparently failed to follow that script, resulting in their swift sacking after they inexplicably broadcast their high jinks via Twitter. Larsen, a Democrat from Lake Stevens, fired the three staffers Thursday, just an hour after being alerted to a stream of indiscreet tweets dating back to July. The Twitter feeds were filled with comments about watching Nirvana videos on taxpayers' dime, swigging “Jack” behind desks and other depictions of congressional staffers behaving badly/Kyung M. Song, Seattle Times Washington bureau. More here. (Wikipedia photo of Congressman Larsen)

Question: Have you ever read an indiscreet Twitter/Facebook post by someone about his/her boss or work place that might get them fired?

Twitter is changing to address a paradox about a service that revolves around messages limited to just 140 characters. As simple as it sounds, the concept remains too confusing and frustrating for a lot of people. A redesign is supposed to make Twitter easier to navigate. It offers more accessible features that customize the experience for each user. The service is also expanding users’ profile pages to accommodate more detailed information about brands in text, photos and video as Twitter tries to convert more companies into advertisers/AP. More here.

Question: Now can I get you to try Twitter?

I’ve only been on Twitter for 7 months, not nearly long enough to have assimilated the unwritten rules and conventions, so who knows how many I’ve trampled and broken out of ignorance.  But in those 7 months of searching for like-minded tweeps to follow (see, I’m picking up a little lingo along the way), I’ve read thousands of profiles.  In that time I’ve noticed some trends.  See if you recognize any of these under-140-character descriptions:

• 1.  Laundry-lister

Dog lover, runner, cellist, under-water basket weaver, sleep walker, vegetarian, married, MSU alum, martini drinker, neat freak, accountant.

This tweep tries to cram every self-describing noun she can into the character count, separated by commas.  The laundry-list profile is efficient. It lets you connect over common interests and is a great way to quickly locate other under-water-basket-weaving-accountants who sleep walk with their dogs after drinking martinis.

• Jill Barville/3Rs goes on to describe 2. Networker, 3. Disclaimer, 4. Zealot, 5. Eager Beaver, 6. Quoter, and Blank here.

Question: Which type of Twitter bio do you appreciate most?

Mike Williams leads the Seattle Seahawks with 52 receptions this season.

It seems our own Sam Taylor had a little dust up on Twitter with Seahawk wide receiver Mike Williams. Sam took exception to William's tweet about a “white boy hatin on the Seahawks.”

Williams didn't appreciate Sam's comment and promptly blocked him with a little profanity tossed in for good measure.

You can follow the action here.

Do you follow any professional athletes on Twitter? Have you ever been blocked by someone on Twitter?

This undated photo taken from the website BigGovernment.com, run by conservative activist Andrew Breitbart, purports to show Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-N.Y., shirtless. After days of denials, Weiner confessed today that he tweeted a photo of his bulging underpants to a young woman, and he also admitted to “inappropriate” exchanges with six women before and after he got married. The scandal escalated when the website, BigGovernment.com,, posted photos, including the one shown, purportedly from a second woman who said she received shirtless shots of the congressman. The site said the pictures were in a cache of intimate online photographs, chats and email exchanges the woman claimed to have. The website did not identify the woman. (AP Photo/BigGovernment.com)

Joe Heller/Hellertoons

Nick Anderson/Houston Chronicle

re: Liz Arakalian's Quotable Quote: ““The Coeur d'Alene Police Department just put up a fan page on Facebook. Would it be terrible to post some virtual doughnuts on it”

Christie Wood: Well … if you feel you must, please make some of them for me Maplebars. Those are my favorite. Facebook and twitter are very new to me — as of yesterday! I have never logged on before. But I do see an opportunity to get out critical information in a hurry to the public. DFO became an instant friend, and also re-tweeted the info on the rape suspect for us. I think it is going to be a good communication tool.
Chief Longo is from the same “vintage” as me and I doubt he has a personal facebook page, but he is always supportive of new ideas and means to communicate with the public. It is great to have leadership that keeps up with the times.

Question: Do you plan to follow the Coeur d'Alene Police Department on Twitter and/or Facebook?

The Coeur d’Alene Police Department has eagerly embraced the age of social networking by starting up a Facebook page and utilizing Twitter. Both entities will prove valuable in posting timely, and critical information necessary to public safety. The Facebook site will provide general departmental information, crime prevention tips, the latest press releases, and details about various events. Twitter will be used to provide instant information about crimes in progress, road closures, or any hazards to the public/Christie Wood, Coeur d'Alene Police Department spokeswoman. More here.

Question: Do you plan to follow the Coeur d'Alene Police Department on Facebook and Twitter? Why? Why not?

• Wednesday Poll: A plurality of Hucks Nation connects socially online via Facebook. Which isn’t a surprise. 80 of 213 respondents (37.56%) said Facebook is one of the social networking tools they use. 62 of 213 (29.11%) said that they connect online via blogs. Only 23 of 213 (10.8%) said they connect via Twitter. Also, 31 (14.55%) said they don’t connect online, while 17 (7.98%) reported that they use other social networking.
• Today’s Poll: Which type of computer do you prefer for personal use?
  

Dustin Hurst/Idaho Reporter, a former North Idaho College student, is in North Idaho again today, covering the 2010 Legislative Tour, sponsored by area chambers of commerce. Hucks will continue to publish his Twitter:

• 1:17 p.m. Tour has concluded & lawmakers are heading back to various parts of the state. (Sen. John McGee, R-Caldwell) left holding a garfield doll.  … for his daughter
  
• 11:30 a.m. Lawmakers headed to silverwood for lunch.
  
• 11:10 a.m. Responding to a Hucks Online inquiry re: his interview with Rep. Phil Hart Monday night, Dustin tweets: “he wouldnt do video (which kinda irked me) and gave very short answers. Not enough to write a whole story.” And: “Hart wasn’t rude, he just didnt have much to say. he did say his work with tax research is fulfilment of oath of office.”
  
• 10:42 a.m. Touring natural gas power plant in rathdrum. interesting to see water evaporation process.
  
• 10:03 a.m. Lost my phone for a second. Tramatic for a reporter. Bus is definitely from the 60’s by looks of upholstery.
  
• 9:54 a.m. State lawmakers are heading out on final leg of tour. Heading to Avista’s Rathdrum plant and eventually Silverwood Theme Park.
  
• 9:49 a.m. Avista CEO: There r going to be more renewables, not less. That’s just how it’s going be … It’s going to be a new world for our kids.
  
• 9:42 a.m. Avista CEO says through conservation program, company has saved as much energy as would be produced by one power plant. 150 megawatts
  
• 9:29 a.m. Scott Morris, CEO of Avista, speaking to state lawmakers now.
  
• 8:50 a.m. It seems as if Idaho Reporter is all-Hart, all the time. I suppose that’s what north Idaho is doing to me.
  
• 7:38 a.m. Kootenai Health rep says his hospital will deliver more than $40 million in service for people unwilling or unable to pay for it. Wow.
• 7:37 a.m. During health care speech at legislative tour, group shows picture of someone getting a colonoscopy. It was modest, though still awkward.
• 7:08 a.m. The speaker and the senate pro tem are sitting next to me at breakfast. I wonder what I have done to earn the honor.
  

Moscow Minidoka: Dislike the new facebook/twitter icons. Poor design (too big, not incorporated well into existing HBO design). Integrate them better, or jettison them. As-is, they’re obnoxious. A better way to do this is to add these buttons after the jump. People who are prone to tweet/face these items can do so there, and the rest of us can look at a nicely designed front page.

Question: What do you think of the new Facebook/Twitter icons that were added to each Huckleberries Online post this afternoon?

New Mexico State coach DeWayne Walker doesn’t see his decision to ban his team from using Twitter this season as an issue about control. For Walker, it’s about protection. “You’ve got 105 guys on your football team,” he said Thursday at the team’s media day. “It’s not a matter of not trusting guys. Guys may say things and do things that can affect not only our football team but our university and not even mean it.” Walker showed he was serious about the ban a short time later, declaring on his Twitter account that he’s finished until December. … Walker’s decision comes after Boise State coach Chris Petersen, pictured, banned Twitter for his players/Associated Press. More here. (AP File Photo: Pat Sullivan)

Question: Are coaches Chris Petersen (Boise State) and DeWayne Walker (New Mexico State) being paranoid by banning players from using Twitter during the season?

On Twitter, embattled Idaho Rep. Phil Hart has just posted this comment, plus 2 documents: “I thought it would be beneficial for anyone who so chooses, to be able to see the actual documents surrounding the House Ethics Committee and the alleged abuse of my legislative office. The charges are vague and frankly so vague they are difficult to answer. You can see both documents below. I stand firm that I never abused any privilege available to me as an Idaho Representative and I look forward to a thorough investigation and being cleared of these charges.”

• John Rusche charging letter
• Ethics committee members

Reaction?

For those keeping score at home, Rep. Phil Hart is now on Twitter — and, yes, I’m one of his 5 current followers. (Update (for those keeping score at home): 5 reporters & an enviro are now following Phil Hart’s Twitter here)

• Question: Do you think it’s wise for Rep. Phil Hart to Twitter, given his sensitive situation w/the IRS, Idaho Tax Commission, and House Ethics Committee?

Twitter Inc. spokesman Sean Garrett smiles in an interview with the Associated Press during his visit to Tokyo Tuesday. Garrett’s company is hiring a Washington D.C. representative to promote Twitter’s use in politics and hopes to expand that worldwide, he said. “Obviously there is a lot of potential for policymakers, government agencies, politicians of all stripes to use Twitter and to connect with their constituency,” Garrett said. (AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye)

DFO: I’m using this photo as a shameless ad to promote my own Twitter account. Seriously, if you want important breaking news from news sources around the area as well as HucksOnline, you should follow my Twitter. I often retweet posts from local news sources as well as the three Spokane TV stations and key political candidates to keep my Twitter followers posted on the latest news. End of commercial message. Now, I’ll return you to your regular HBO programming.

Question: Do you follow anyone’s Twitter?