Identi.ca

Jul 5, 10:20 PM - and

I just came across a new service similar to Twitter called Identi.ca. It’s a Canadian based microblogging Twitter clone that just so happens to be open source. I signed up for an account under my usual username babblative. Even though it’s lacking in some features that I’ve come to expect from Twitter (with the notable exception of massive downtime), it looks like once they’ve come out of beta they’ll be stiff competition for Twitter.

There’s a list of upcoming features on their FAQ page:

The software we run, Laconica, is still in its early stages,
and many features people expect from microblogging sites are not yet implemented. Some important ones that are expected “soon”:

  • SMS updates and notifications
  • A Twitter-compatible API
  • More AJAX-y interface
  • Maps
  • Cross-post to Twitter, Pownce, Jaiku, etc.
  • Pull messages from Twitter, Pownce, Jaiku, etc.
  • Facebook integration
  • Hashtags
  • Image, video, audio notices
  • Automatic URL-shortening
  • Multilingual interface (using Gettext)

The only thing that bugs me is the last item in their privacy policy:

This service will comply with court orders to turn over your private information.

Identi.ca could be a good alternative to Twitter, just be aware of the privacy policy. For now I’ll still be using my tumblr to “twitter” since it has a Firefox extension and Identi.ca doesn’t (here’s hoping there’s one coming soon). Oh, and if you’re using Firefox with Greasemonkey then you can install a script to add a reply button to Identi.ca, Identica Reply.

Tags: microblogging, resources, tumblr, twitter

It seems like another nice “twitter-like” site but I think if I join any others my head might explode. I can’t remember to update half the ones I have. __

Have you tried plurk by the way? Very similar to twitter but I actually like it a lot more.

#1 Kelly Jul 6, 15:50 Permalink

Kelly: Have you tried plurk by the way? Very similar to twitter but I actually like it a lot more.

Yes I have, but I don’t care for it. It’s not enough like Twitter and there’s no Firefox extension to post directly to it (a must for me otherwise I’d never update them :P).

#2 Becky Jul 6, 20:55 Permalink

Yikes. Their privacy policies seem to scare me…
I don’t like Plurk because of all that extra stuff – the ‘karma’ feature. I don’t really care how good I am at updating my status. If only Twitter would buy some new servers or do something.

#3 Alex Jul 6, 23:03 Permalink

Goddamnit! I just gave in to tumblr and now, this?! D:

#4 Enzo Jul 7, 07:41 Permalink

I like Plurk now and I use Twitter already so I don’t feel like using Identi.ca. There are too many microblogging services already. :(

#5 Rilla Jul 10, 19:11 Permalink

I still like the sound of Twitter more. It’s like MySpace to social networking sites.

#6 Kym Jul 11, 06:58 Permalink

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