How to Follow ESQ on twitter!

ESQ is on Twitter, can be found at @ESQCamps Follow our account for updates about registration, photos from the camp and other interesting science and engineering facts and links.

If you’re not using twitter, and are curious about it, the following is a quick guide we’ve written about twitter:

What is twitter?

It’s an online resource for posting short updates with pertinent information for upcoming events, recaps of past events and links to media.  Each Twitter post allows for 140 characters, meaning that you have only 140 letters and spaces to get your information out.  But it also allows for the addition of photos, video, lists, favourites and internet links.

Some popular twitter feeds that might give you a sense for how it works is:

-CBC

-NHL     

-Toronto Blue Jays

-University of Waterloo

Why would I follow someone? What does it mean to be followed?

 Twitter also allows you to follow and be followed.  Following someone means that you will be able to see their tweets and respond and interact with them if you choose.  All these tweets appear in your timeline.  Being followed means that people can read your tweets and interact with you. 

Twitter Basics and shorthands

@ESQCamps, this is the username or handle and is a way to connect with others by searching for their handle.  You can mention people by inserting their name in your post like so:

“Hey @ESQCamps, do you have any registration spots left in Suzuki for the last week of July?”

By including a handle, your message will appear in their timeline, even if they aren’t following you. 

So if @scherem wants to write a message that @ESQCamps would see, they would write a tweet that says:

“Hey @ESQcamps are you full for the summer?”

Even if @ESQCamps isn’t following @scherem, this message will appear in their timeline.

RT: stands for re-tweet.  Re-tweets are a way to share something someone else has already posted.

                “I totally agree!!!   RT @ESQCamps: Doing workshops with students about the importance of sticking with Math and Science….they create so many opportunities!”

In this example, @ESQCamps’ posted the original information, and I agree and want to share the information with my followers.  . The letters RT let the reader know that you are repeating this information.

Posting media is equally as simple.  There will be an icon underneath the tweet box (where you enter your post) with a camera icon.  Click this icon and select your image to be attached.  Keep in mind that attaching anything like a photo, video or link will take up a few characters in your post.  Usually around 15, so plan your words accordingly to save space for that perfect supporting picture.

Finally the # or hashtag…..these things are cool!  Adding a hashtag like, #ESQCAMPS, to the end of a post allows for that post to be searched as well as show up on the trending (or popular) lists.  If a hashtag gets used a lot, then it will be part of the trending list which twitter keeps track of and posts publicly.

See some search results by clicking or searching the following in the Twitter search bar:

#ESQCamps

#CBC

#Uwaterloo

#CatalystUW

Try creating a twitter account, you can follow your favourite scientists, companies, Summer Camps…..AHEM… @ESQCamps…….sorry, where was I?  Right…scientists, companies, schools, community leaders.  All of these people and places are getting themselves organized on Twitter.  It’s a great way to stay connected an up to date

You can see who ESQ follows here!  We’d be honored if you would

Here are a few more guides on how to use twitter:

Twitter Basics by Twitter

CNET’s Guide to Twitter by CNET

Twitter For Beginners by Twittip

Twitter | Common Craft by Common Craft