Like it or hate it, Twitter has caused a stir in the online social networking space.
In a nut shell, Twitter allows users to pump out infinite amounts of (usually) ego-driven noise to the intarweb with a multitude of widgets, mashups and plugins that make it even easier to do. Take a look at Twitterific for the Mac or Twitterlicious for Windows – two apps that do just that.
Now one of the things that intrigues me about the deluge of 2.0 apps and sites is the notion of the perpetual beta, “a term used to describe software or a system which never leaves the development stage of beta”. To me this is a perfect example of informal user testing, where the design team of an app are able to harvest the feedback of users directly from the app, or via feedback mechanisms on the site.
Interestingly, Twitter has just announced that they are recruiting users who have been a member for two months or more to participate in some user testing.
You can help us improve Twitter by participating in a user test. Your feedback will directly inform the design of future features.
But before you get too excited and fire off an email to participate (like I did :|), “you must be able to provide your own transportation to [their] offices in San Francisco, CA”. You must also:
- have used Twitter for at least 2 months
- be over 18 years old
- have never worked for a competitor to Twitter
So if you’re interested in experiencing some user testing from a user perspective and live in San Francisco (or are prepared to fly yourself over there) you could well be 50 bucks richer by the end of the month!
Lisa Herrod
