Random follow #297 - @smrtgirl

@smrtgirl totally lives up to her twitter name.  One super intelligent and technical thinking chick Michelle is a super smart techie.  Based out of Wellington this twitter account is not one to be taken lightly.  And I mean that with complete respect.  There aren't that many ladies that I know of that can deliver a swift tweet all about tech that leaves me floundering.  

But tech is only one aspect to like about @smrtgirl.  She is also a brilliant engager of people.  What I mean is that she is a very interesting and engaging tweeter who has an ability to capture people's imaginations and make them wonder about.  

For example one series of tweets that I am really enjoying at the moment are the t-shirt a day tweets.  Basically Michelle has been wearing a different t-shirt out of her every day of the month.  And there are A LOT of cool t-shirts.  

@smrtgirl also has her priorities sorted.  She knows exactly what she wants and isn't afraid to ask for it - 

"I just got a phone call from Santa. I asked for lots of beer". 

Michelle is also one very popular tweeter.  In a really good way.  You can't go far through her timeline without spotting a familiar name or personality that she is engaging in conversation with.  With around 1,500 followers that probably shouldn't be a surprise but it is really nice to see.

Not only does she have a great taste in tweeters she also has much great taste for other things as well - 

"Also, just go to YouTube and type in Benedict Cumberbatch reads … So much delight".

And she doesn't take herself too seriously either.  Which is really refreshing - 

"Waiting for a text message. I hate waiting. Hurry up and give me the good news already! #itsallaboutmeandmyneeds".

@smrtgirl brings exactly that to the twitter scene. Smarts.  Along with other things like fun, smiles and an ability to laugh at some of the silliness that occurs in life.  She is not your usual tweeter in some ways nut in others she is.  To be honest if I were to have a sister she would most likely be just like Michelle.  Which would be a really good thing.

Peace.

Random follow #193 - @billbennettnz

Having the ability to think for oneself and to communicate those views and thoughts in a manner that is both accessible to the masses while at the same time challenging enough to keep the intellectuals on their toes is a skill that few have.  @billbennettnz is a holder of these skills.  As a freelance journalist he has the interesting predicament of writing stories that are provocative and interesting while also ensuring that he gets employed.

The good thing about freelancing is though that after you have put in as many years as Bill has then the papers are magazines have a fair idea of the style of writing and what the content may look like.  The other side of the story is that is takes years of practise, hard effort, along with blood sweat and tears to make in an industry like this one.

Bill is no stranger to a good conversation and he knows where to go looking to find a really great one.  Its no surprise then that he has such a great presence on twitter.  His cool, calm and collected style is appealing because he hardly ever gets into a flap about anything.  Apart from mornings -

""Mustn't grumble". How passive aggressive is that expression?"

And he also knows how to conduct a good debate without being drawn into pointless diatribe or circular reasoning.  he can string together a whole series of tweets but when they hit your timeline rather than having the crushing power of a tsunami they act more like the incoming tide at the beach.  Whats interesting though is that while he can spin together 10 or 20 tweets in a conversation they tend to be at times when I (the blogger) am not actually online.  Which makes me wonder if twitter is a distraction?  (joking)

And then there are always the communications industry usual stories - 

"Unnerved when a PR offers an exclusive, which turns out not to be an interview or hard news, just a boring product press release."

Bill is also a techie geeky sort of guy at heart.  Not one of the hardcore ones for whom writing screeds of pages of code is fun.  But a down to earth and fun guy who enjoys uncovering new technologies and developments.  And he enjoys having a crack at them too -

"Amused by Google Glass users being described as "Glassholes". Witty and appropriate."

As far as twitter goes Bill will engage with pretty much anyone about the subjects that are near and dear to his heart.  He is highly entertaining, super engaging and very energetic.  Go and follow him.  You might learn a thing or two.

And to end this post it is important that we acknowledge the important people -

"My tweets do reflect the views of my employer."

Random follow #167 - @DemiseNZ

IT guys are some of the best tweeters to follow because they are in the know.  They know what is going on in the tech world way before anyone else and if you're after the good oil on what trends are coming up soon then these are the guys who should be in your follow list.  @DemiseNZ is exactly one of those guys.

As well as being a tweeter of many things tech he also has a website you can access which will show you some really cool stuff.  Whats really cool though is that Gavin happily tweets about all sorts of stuff and isn't confined to just tech.  He has lots of interests in many different things.  He also has a fantastic sense of humor and a really nice approach to twitter as well.

So what do you get from him as a tweeter?  Well all sorts.  Just like a good packet of licorice.  Lets try a few tweets shall we?

"Right.... firewall is blocking tv3 stream... secondary line working fine :)"

"OH FU IOS...."

Gavin is a relatively fresh and is seemingly untainted by social media which can at times breed sarcasm and pessimistic tweeting from tweeters.  But he is not that way inclined and is more likely to tickle your funny bone with tweets like this one -

"Trying to explain email to my father always ends up in an argument."

To the uninitiated these tweets may sound a bit absurd.  Like WTF is he talking about out?  To the rest of us who have a little idea about tech and IT - these tweets are either funny or make a whole lot of sense.  Especially these one's - 

"ooo... nice smooth action from the G400... quite bit lighter than my old G5 but guess Ill get used to it."

"While I remember.... loving my G400s mouse... first game I played with it, got 3 kills within 30s :D Do miss my G5 tho... :("

So in summary @DemiseNZ is a fun loving, tech savvy, not to be taken too seriously tweeter who enjoys his time on twitter.  If you want to be in the know about tech and at the same time have a good laugh at the world around you then this is one guy you need to be following.

Random follow #89 - @NZDig

Today's random tweeter has nothing to do with gardening or outdoor work.  As much as the name may make you think daffodils, pumpkins or vegetables you would be incorrect.

@NZDig is the brain child of one of New Zealand's most popular technology podcaster @PaulSpain.  The New Zealand Digital Podcast is an offshoot and more specialised podcast that is focused on digital media and happenings in the world around us.  The original NZ Tech Podcast (@NZTechPodcast) was started two or three years ago and now has just under 200 podcasts available for you to listen to.

The best way to describe @NZDig is by showing you the twitter bio -

"A resource for those working in the digital space - incl digital marketing, media, online, social media, advertising, film, TV, and entrepreneurship".

The @NZTechPodcast is very much the benchmark when it comes to announcing and reviewing new technologies and events happening in the technology world.  Paul and the guys have pretty much interviewed anyone who is anyone on their show over the years.  And you can be sure that the @NZDig won't be far behind or far off achieving the same levels of greatness as well.

I was fortunate enough to jump on the @NZTechPodcast bandwagon all the back at episode one when it was first released.  And I can proudly say that I have joined this new podcast from the very first episode as well.

As far as tweets go there aren't that many yet because Paul and the team only have one episode released so far.  I have it on good authority that the second podcast should be available on iTunes soon so keep an eye out.  So why the digital podcast?  Well to be frank not everyone is a tech geek.  But lots and lots of us are interested in digital media, where it is headed, what is trending and so on.

Believe me this is not a fly by night, now you see it now you don't kind of podcast.  Paul doesn't commit to a project unless he is 100% behind it and he always see's what he starts through to a successful conclusion.  I would actually like to write a whole blog post just on my friend Paul (whom I have known now for 20 something years - through thick and thin) but because I know him so well I think that would be a bit disingenuous.   So I've snuck him into the blog via this project.  He is also one of the brains behind the very successful (and under the radar) company @gorillatech who are a force to be reckoned with.  

My long range forecast is that @NZDig will quickly become the industry standard for knowing what is happening in the digital world.  So you best get in early and be ahead of the game or you may be left behind.

"“The future starts today, not tomorrow.” ― Pope John Paul II

Random follow #74 - @millionleaves

"Music is your own experience, your own thoughts, your wisdom. If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn. They teach you there's a boundary line to music. But, man, there's no boundary line to art.
* Charlie Parker"

Music appreciation is the way that I first made contact with @millionleaves.  With a diverse taste in music that goes from hip-hop to jazz, dance through to indie rock David is nothing short of a man after my own heart.

Yes he does fall outside the boundaries of this project in that he has so many twitter followers he doesn't actually need much of an introduction to most people.  Then again he is also a person whom I have found has an ability to sit underneath the twitter radar of most people.

And not only are his music interests very diverse so is his ability to find random facts and tweets that make your brain sit up and take notice.  And there are no limits to the various areas of subject matter that he will tweet about.  For example -

Movie trivia.  "If Harrison Ford is set to return in the Star Wars, I'd bet my lunch Han Solo will have a son too http://n360.to/VZPWmg"
Music legends.  "R.I.P. Jazz Trumpeter Donald Byrd: http://bit.ly/XrpL7K"
The weather.  "Signs of summer #46: the tent at Brewers Barn in Mt Maunganui is being set up ready for the new year concerts. Nice."
Tech stuff.  "The Google Maps app for iPhone is insanely great: http://bit.ly/Zm8GSw  How ironic." 

Don't sit by your computer waiting for @millionleaves to tweet.  He uses twitter only when he has something that is worth saying.  He doesn't rush to share his opinions or thoughts all that often.  But when he does his tweets are worth taking a look at.

There isn't much more I can say aboiut David in recommending him to you but I shall leave the closing words to him.  His twitter bio sums him up perfectly -

"Kiwi. Web sales and consulting for Totali.co.nz, father, husband, teacher, music lover"

 

Random follow #31 - @jamesotron

Every so often if you follow random people you'll very quickly cross paths with a segment of the community whom you would probably otherwise not have much contact with  With @jamesotron you will discover someone who has a love for all things tech.  If you aren't a part of a particular community it can be easy to get lost in the jargon or terminology that gets used.  However @jamesotron is quite clear that one of his missions is this "I care about making tech culture more inclusive."

And so he doesn't tweet all that much about tech stuff directly.  He tweets just enough to let you know that tech is what he does, loves and is something he knows a lot about.  He does also have a couple of other projects/accounts that he has created and you can find them here @axeio and @sociablenz

One thing he also has is great balance.  Work doesn't dominate his life and he has found some incredible balance in life. Being married to the lovely @becs certainly helps his credibility as well. And when you read tweets like this one you know the guy is a 100% good guy -

"So @becs is sitting next to me watching outrageous fortune, and I can't resist glancing over. It's like seeing old friends again." Aaawwwwwwwwwww. Not only does he tweet about the love of his life he also tweets about his nearest and dearest.  He also tells us a little about his kids -

"Kids switching from The Muppets to The Clone Wars. I guess I should make them breakfast."  and this one as well

"scratch that. my son’s first day of school that day! bad dad!"

And occasionally he tweets something very funny that makes you do a double take as to its meaning,  Take this one for example -

"A military jet just flew over my house. This is significant because in New Zealand we have no military jets."


If you are new to twitter and are wondering "what do I tweet? How do I tweet? What is there to talk about?" then @jamesotron is worth having a look at as an example of how to twee in such a way as to win friends and influence people.