I initially signed up at Plurk because people I follow and trust were talking about it on Twitter. At first, I really didn’t quite get Plurk. I saw the Twitter concept awkwardly implemented on a Web-based timeline with a bunch of dorky emoticons — and like Twitter, Plurk even had downtime issue). However, I think that I now understand Plurk’s appeal and why it has passed “critical mass” as a viable microblogging service.
Twitter seems to be about “collective conversation,” where each tweet is addressed to the whole group — even if it’s directed to an individual. Plurk’s primary focus is on “interpersonal conversation,” where an individual Plurk is an invitation to engage in discourse away from the collective population of Plurkers, though people not engaged in the new group aren’t in any way excluded from participating and listening in.
Plurk seems to appeal to people that like the microblogging concept yet feel lost in or intimidated by Twitter. On Plurk, people are much more likely to welcome and engage strangers and newbies. Relationship-building is much easier in Plurk, and people looking to make many fast, personal connections with others are the service’s biggest fans. While I’ve seen (and participated in) a large number of silly conversations on Plurk, it can’t be dismissed as solely a place to goof off … I’ve also seen threads containing a great deal of emotion and openness.
I decided to ask some top Plurkers why they use the service, what they like or don’t like about it, and how it compares to Twitter. Here are their responses.
Read the responses HERE
Check out Plurk
