Written on June 6th, 2008 at 09:06 am by Darren Rowse
Playing with Plurk
Just a very quick post to let readers know that I’m playing with Plurk (another micro blogging/life streaming tool that is a little like Twitter).
At first I only intended to grab my names (problogger and darrenrowse) and use them as placeholders but I’m now starting to find it a really interesting medium. It takes the Twitter experience to the next level with threaded comments, cliques/groups (yet to explore these) and all kinds of other features.
It’s a little quirky and it takes a while to get used to the way updates are displayed (it’s all on a sideways scrolling timeline) but it’s definitely got some potential. Anyway - if you have time in your life for another social media site - check out Plurk. At the least it could be worth reserving your name/s in case it does get popular and you want to use it at some point in the future.
PS - if you’re a ‘Plurker’ tell us what you think about it in comments below. What do you like about it, what don’t you like about it and how would you describe it?
81 Responses to “Playing with Plurk”
Shana Albert
June 6th, 2008 9:52 am
I am soooo enjoying Plurk. I really am. It is a bit confusing at first, but the Plurk community was more than helpful. And, within a couple of hours I’m Plurking like a Pro. But, I must tell you….. Watch out!! It’s addicting!! :)
Mike Martin
June 6th, 2008 9:53 am
I use it and like it, not sure if it will take off like twitter, but it is more interactive and the reply system is really slick, and encourages communication
Jared
June 6th, 2008 9:53 am
Funny, I started plurk seconds before I saw this pop up in twitter. I am currently lost. I will follow this tread and continue learning. If any avid plurkers want to help a newbie tweet me @jaredmlee
Mike
June 6th, 2008 9:54 am
I’m finding it pretty fun to use. I like the timeline view and have now started using Ping.fm to do some updates. It could use a search function (find people by location/interests/etc…) and maybe something like twitter’s public_timeline where you can see what everybody else is doing.
Michelle Greer
June 6th, 2008 9:54 am
Threaded Tweeting. Fun. Beautiful. Needs an API for sure though.
It’s nice because on Twitter, thoughts go by and you look stupid for catching up with them too late. On Plurk, you can go back to that comment and start a conversation, and not look stupid.
Ryan
June 6th, 2008 9:55 am
I’m also checking it out, and so far what I like the most is that comments (@replies) are threaded, so I’m more apt to reply to somebody’s update because it won’t clutter my own updates.
This makes the service more social, and one look at Darren’s plurk stream shows how cool it can be to get lots of comments on the things you say.
AK
June 6th, 2008 9:56 am
Followed your plurk ;) This is just great!
Summer
June 6th, 2008 9:56 am
Plurk seems to be the hot new thing, almost everyone on my Twitter list is running over to it. But the interface just bugs me. Not that I like Twitter’s that much either, but I can use Twirl and read what is happening easier. The side scrolling and move-overs to read on Plurk annoys me. Plus I can’t use it with any thing else, like my Friend Feed. If Plurk and Twitter could be combined or cross-fed so that a post to one also hit the other I’d be much happier. I also prefer Twitter w/Twirl because I can stay connected and still be able to do other things, Plurk seems more hassle to read and more time consuming to keep up with. Working from home I need simple and easy.
tony dee
June 6th, 2008 9:57 am
I just need a bit more time for it to grown on me. Still trying to get down the ins and outs of Twitter….lol.
Phil Baumann
June 6th, 2008 9:57 am
It’s definitely interesting and kinda fun. Still need to get used to it because it’s a little like ADHD, an acid trip, and whack-a-mole all plurked together.
Mark Dykeman
June 6th, 2008 9:58 am
Plurk is ChatterCrack… even more so that Twitter, Pownce, Jaiku, and FriendFeed combined!
The timeline and the way to group conversations together is quite good.
It’s fun.
Brian
June 6th, 2008 9:58 am
Twitter’s been a’flurry with news about people hopping on Plurk. It’s gotten to the point that you can’t *not* pay attention.
My only criticism today is their lack of SMS support, but there’s news they have plans to roll it out in the near-term. Meanwhile mobile support at plurk.com/m may pass, but it doesn’t help those of us plurking from devices without data plans.
Live Crunch
June 6th, 2008 9:58 am
Plurk is awesome mate, better then I thought it was. At least so far more favorite then Twitter.
Added you yesterday as my friend :)
/livecrunch
ttyl
German Martinez
June 6th, 2008 9:59 am
I’ve been using Plurk for a couple of days, like you, just to grab mi name (germanmartinez), and I’m not really pleased with it. Yes, it has a new timeline, but it’s not as usable as the twitter one.
Switched from Twitter to Plurk because of Twitter’s uptime problems, now I’m on Twitter again.
Snoop Bloggy Blog
June 6th, 2008 10:00 am
I joined PLURK yesterday and I can’t stop PLURKING!!!
It’s like Pownce and Twitter on Crystal Meth. Once you try it, you can’t STOP!!
Riayn
June 6th, 2008 10:00 am
I wrote an article about my experiences signing up and using Plurk for the first time entitled Should You Plurk? - http://www.dancingaboutarchitecture.org/should-you-plurk/
The site was extremely buggy and important features like the ability to add friends were down. I had a very bad user experience and my overall impression was that Plurk was a waste of my time and a good way to raise my blood pressure.
Since then I have been back to try it out and the issues I initially encountered seemed to have been resolved. Still, I must admit, I like Twitter better.
Patrick Britton
June 6th, 2008 10:02 am
I used it for a little while but quickly deleted my account. It’s very cluttered and unorganized and I can’t see myself using it on a constant basis. I understand they’re trying to be unique but at this point it’s just not something I see myself wasting time on.
Sara
June 6th, 2008 10:04 am
Plurk is a lot more fun than Twitter imho - but I haven’t figured out the clique feature yet! :)
Mr.Gadget Australia
June 6th, 2008 10:07 am
Don’t know if I can maintain two social media apps at the same time >.<
Plurk is like Twitter posts with personality…
Thanks for adding me Darren.
Plurk Name: “mr_gadget”
Aaron from Webspear
June 6th, 2008 10:23 am
Just signed up! too many social networking apps nowadays, they are eating a lot of your time. Need to use them wisely and effectively so that these tools do not get counter productive.
Chris Hooley
June 6th, 2008 10:28 am
PLURK pwns. It’s Twitter on Crystal Meth and Acid at the same time. Since Darren already has a cool gold star, and to show how addicted I am to PLURK, just click the link on my name and feel free to join and be my buddy!
Sandra
June 6th, 2008 10:32 am
Plurk is very addictive and fun, it seems to bring out the silly/fun side in all the plurkers. Twitter and Plurk are like twins, same basic premise with different implementation.
Ken Stewart
June 6th, 2008 10:36 am
Darren, and all, Plurk is really just more fun. The community seems to be much more open, but it is not a Twitter replacement. I actually wrote a post on this a couple of days ago to give an update on my experience to date:
http://www.changeforge.com/2008/06/03/twitter-ego-plurk-fun/
Gavin Heaton
June 6th, 2008 10:36 am
Those who love Twitter will find it challenging to switch to Plurk (esp if that’s where your network are). But Plurk is its own beast. It take time to learn its strange habits, but I have a feeling it will grow on us all. And as the API is opened up and new features become available, it could well become a solid competitor to Twitter.
@gcrush
June 6th, 2008 10:40 am
I would love my plurks to feed into my twitter or vice versa, at least I could keep up with some conversations on both applications, I do like the simplicity of twitter, I don’t necessarily need to be in a discussion, and I like to keep working on what I need to do and play and send out messages of love, silliness, or blog posts. If somebody wants to read them super, cause I love to do it! however, it’s just as enjoyable for my experience, and is helping my find a voice through my writing. i like writing more and more, and am appreciative of the abilities that twitter allows.
but I am a patient creature, and only do anything that is enjoyable. so as things start going in one direction or the next, I’ll get there. I just don’t need to be the first on the spot. I’m having too much fun living, playing, sharing, and enjoying the moment.
martin english
June 6th, 2008 10:42 am
g’day
I find plurk is too addictive :)
One feature that I haven’t seen is the ability to book mark or ‘fave’ a conversation.
BTW, the book is a great read. I’ve got much more realistic about my blog(s) and have a better idea of how to build them up. thanks for that
David Crispens
June 6th, 2008 10:42 am
Great so far and more visual. Options for different views would be nice.
Rebecca Jones
June 6th, 2008 10:46 am
I have been using Plurk for a few days. I’ve slowly grown my friend base. I do like the threaded conversations because they are easy to follow. I like that in “conversing” with these people I get a sense of their personality, sense of humor, etc. more than I do with Twitter.
However, the timeline seems backwards to me. I’m used to timelines running left to right versus the Plurk way.
Michael | University Scholar
June 6th, 2008 10:49 am
I think Plurk has greater potential than twitter. But I’m not going to start using it yet, I’ll wait to see what happens with the API.
Sandy Naidu
June 6th, 2008 11:10 am
Another one on the list…The ever expanding list….
Melissa
June 6th, 2008 11:10 am
I signed up on Plurk and am hoping I get used to it. I think I might be more of a “regular” blogger rather than a “micro” blogger, but I’m giving it a day in court!
http://mdesignboutique.blogspot.com/ is my regular blog…and i’m mdesignboutique on plurk if anyone wants to plurkize/ate with me!
Mike Nally
June 6th, 2008 11:15 am
It took me about two days to get used to Plurk after moving from Twitter. Once Plurk gets a desktop app running ala Twhirl it could really become huge. If you decide to give Plurk a try say hello! I’m /user/papamike
Jacky Supit
June 6th, 2008 11:40 am
Hi Darren, if you think Threaded Comments is on the next level, why don’t you replace this your commenting system with threaded comment? Sorry it just flashed on my mind :)
oh great, and now that Plurker is unavailable? Just got a Problogger effect i guess
:)
thanks
SpaceAgeSage
June 6th, 2008 12:06 pm
Decided to grab some placeholders myself and felt drawn to Plurk. I like the sideways timeline, but it goes the wrong way for my mind –newer stuff inserting to the left instead of to the right. I didn’t see if there was a setting to change that or not. The drop-down list of comments was interesting. I think if I had a huge plasma screen on the wall to follow Twitter, Plurk, my blogs, and emails all at the same time I could handle these “micro-blogging” tools without going too insane.
shawn carey
June 6th, 2008 12:07 pm
@michellegreer yeah, i agree, almost as stupid as i feel right now writing this comment, haha
Ben Rasmusen
June 6th, 2008 12:45 pm
The problem with all twitter ‘competitors’ is the fact that everyone is already so invested in twitter. All their friends are there as well as their whole archive.
I personally like plurk more thank twitter. But none of my twitter friends are actively using it, leaving me plurking to myself…
Until people start adopting it more I don’t know how much I’ll plurk even with it’s better up-time and snazzier features.
Perhaps using a service that updates them all would be appropriate though in that case I just feel like I’m adding redundant noise to the internet.
Cody Robert
June 6th, 2008 12:58 pm
It’s very addictive. I signed up yesterday after only the day before swearing off use of it because it just looked way too quirky.
I changed that opinion after seeing everyone else on my twitter list jumping ship so to speak with twitter’s intermittent downtimes.
I like Plurk a lot better because it’s much more conducive to friendly conversations with people. It’s also nice that you can see your friends friends in a conversation w/o having to friend/fan them.
The sidescrolling is hard to get used to but very nice once you do.
Karl Staib - Your Work Happiness Matters
June 6th, 2008 1:24 pm
I’m plurking right now. Well just started tonight. I’m going to reserve my judgment until a couple weeks from now. Although at first look it’s not as helpful as twitter because it’s too scattered, but as I said it’s not fair to judge so soon. I didn’t like Twitter in the beginning either.
ChaCha Fance
June 6th, 2008 1:29 pm
I’m just wondering why all of a sudden everyone is talking about Plurk!? Plurk this, plurk that. I refuse to join just because I’m tired of hearing about it. Maybe when the hype dies down, I’ll join.
Myo Kyaw Htun
June 6th, 2008 1:47 pm
Another place to waste the time. Can’t wait to see your tips for Plurking
miwah12
June 6th, 2008 1:59 pm
..how i can earn money in adsense in google..please email me at mirah_love16@yahoo.com.. :) thanks..
Dan Covington
June 6th, 2008 2:10 pm
Discovered this afternoon I enjoy the Plurk mobile view in (laptop) firefox sidebar…less mess and any comment you click opens in reg browser window. http://www.plurk.com/m
Glenn
June 6th, 2008 2:58 pm
hi darren.. i am one your Plurk friends and fan now :)
Eric Grey
June 6th, 2008 3:29 pm
I really like Plurk, so far. I enjoy the interface (I’m a Machead, so I like pretty things) and I enjoy the timeline format. It’s like so many of these social media sites, though, that it will only be as valuable as it is able to attract many users. We’ll see. See you there!
Eric (deepesthealth)
Chris Nixon
June 6th, 2008 6:13 pm
Whooooooo! More follow spam than Twitter. Not good.
Blogging Resources
June 6th, 2008 6:37 pm
I never had any luck with Social networking sites but m still gonna try is since all of you are doing may be i will get something with this one
xgravity23
June 6th, 2008 6:40 pm
Add me! Plurk name: xgravity23
I love Plurk so far, except that the scrolling timeline doesn’t show up on my work computer or my laptop: Only on my husband’s desktop. Weird.
Anyway, I love the comments in context, not sure how I feel about the scrolling timeline, but my inclination is that it will become more natural the more I use it.
Love that they give you a few extra characters by providing several potential verbs to start your tweets–er, plurks–with.
LOVE the private posting! I’ve started keeping a mini diary of my day there. All the things you WANT to post but politeness, tactfulness, and wanting to keep your job don’t allow you to say. :) Hope I never accidentally forget to make those private!
Can’t wait to be able to see more people there. That always makes a service more fun. I bet many of the bugs that people mention above will get worked out. Looks like Plurk is just a wee baby right now, compared to Twitter.
Mark Frost
June 6th, 2008 9:00 pm
Plurk is an interesting concept, but is too noisy. It will be overshadowed by Twitter’s massive and loyal following within 6 months.
Tony
June 6th, 2008 10:48 pm
Who has time for ANOTHER microblog? If Twitter would just invest a little in its infrastructure, we would be good.
Sticking with Twitter
Chris
June 6th, 2008 10:51 pm
Just getting used to Plurk, but I love the scrolling timeline, and the fact that each plurk is like a forum post - the responses being associated with the post rather than just coming in one big stream like on Twitter.
Having said that, Twitter is definitely simpler and I really don’t know whether I’ll end up choosing to stick with one service over the other, or keep going with both at the same time.
As Michelle says above, Plurk does need an API so that people can start building fancy apps to make it easier to use in conjunction with other services.
Plurk/Twitter: cdhinton
Cosmin Ghiu
June 7th, 2008 12:33 am
Darren:
Great to see you jump on the Plurk bandwagon so quckly! Earlier this week i did a http://www.summize.com search about top twitter buzz and to my surprise Plurk came up…
So as an early adopter, I created an account.
http://www.plurk.com/user/cosguru
I must admit. My first impression. Twitter on steriods.
Damon Clifford
June 7th, 2008 12:33 am
I like how you can check just the updates instead have having to look through each thread to find out if anything’s new.
angelle
June 7th, 2008 12:44 am
I tried it because a friend invited me and fully expected to grow bored quickly the way I did with brightkite. But it’s addictive! Though I think I still prefer twitter for recording my day bit by bit, Plurk has been better for conversations and it’s much easier to keep track of them. Now I just wish more people I know were on there.
Netwalker
June 7th, 2008 1:12 am
In Mexico, Plurk has a good amount of user, must of them are people from Twitter testing it.
I think the principle for both is the same, but I like more the Plurk interfase, it has a better way to follow conversations. The learning curve is different from Twitter, is hard at first glance to follow all the conversations, but when you get the way it works, it’s easier.
Also, as you mention on your post, it has some new things that Twitter doesn’t.
I’ll stay with both for a while.
PS You can find me in both as Netwalker
Reginald
June 7th, 2008 4:36 am
With the rate of emerging social sites, I suspect a substantial level of confusion will exist.
How will an online surfer decide which of the seemingly infinite list of social sites should be used?
Alison
June 7th, 2008 8:03 am
One thing is for sure, I definitely like the Twitter bird better than the freaky fish/headless dog graphics for Plurk. Gross!
Scott Marlowe
June 7th, 2008 12:16 pm
“Plurk is currently under routine maintenance. We apologize for the inconvenience. The upgrade should be complete by 10pm EDT, Friday, June 6.”
They’ve got the “Twitter unavailable” thing down pretty well.
Cindy Sue Causey
June 8th, 2008 3:22 am
Most respectfully.. :grin:
First shot in the door, it “feels” like an accessibility nightmare.. There is so much scrolling that needs to be done, can’t imagine trying to maneuver around if I had a disability related to dexterity..
Cognitively, already having trouble navigating.. Am sure that will pass, but…… The opening post [window] disappeared because of something I did, I’m sure.. See *nothing* that now lets me go back and try my first post.. Donning my girly-girl cammies and going back in for the great hunt for the same.. :))
deb
June 8th, 2008 3:24 am
I like being able to follow conversation threads more easily. Also, hoping it will become less play oriented and more professional exchange/networking oriented. Hopefully it will over time as more users join.
Oli from the-iBlog
June 8th, 2008 7:38 am
I’m starting to lose patience with Twitter at the moment, way too much downtime. Might have to give this Plurk a go, cheers !
d3bruts1d
June 8th, 2008 8:57 am
I am really enjoying Plurk. It’s active, and so far just about everyone there has been great.
Kristen
June 8th, 2008 10:33 pm
I have started an online affair with Plurk. I think about it all the time, I always wonder what is going on there when I can’t be on. I am constantly checking my Karma and friending new people. My housework has suffered, my kids are being neglected. Plurk is the next best thing to sliced bread.
arshad
June 9th, 2008 3:48 pm
iam thinking of using this service primarily for digging my posts .hope i get help all the diggers and plurkers !
arshad
June 9th, 2008 3:49 pm
iam thinking of using this service primarily for digging my posts .hope i get help from all the diggers and plurkers !
frogpondsrock
June 9th, 2008 11:22 pm
I was intending to have a quick look at plurk and nothing else. Ha! the best laid plans…
I love it.
cheers Kim
Pixel Head
June 11th, 2008 6:57 am
I just started using Plurk, but I am quickly finding it easier to use than twitter.
Oli from the-iBlog
June 11th, 2008 9:46 am
@Pixel Head - In what ways are you finding it easier than Twitter? I found it the opposite, but that might be me using it wrong :) I use my iPhone a lot for Tweeting though, so perhaps when there is a Plurk-ing app I’ll get into it more.
Pixel Head
June 12th, 2008 1:03 am
I like the whole visual lifestream so much better than Twitter. I also like the threaded comments. I agree with you, that it will be nice to plurk via Phone. I wonder if they will make their API public?
Jody Reale
June 12th, 2008 1:09 am
I have to admit that I like it; it’s cute and fun and novel. I just don’t see it adding any value (yet) to my day.
@gcrush
June 12th, 2008 5:39 am
darren,
have you discovered ping.fm yet? it’s awesome, and makes it much easier for you to plurk, twitter, and update myspace, bright kite, and more with blogs, status updates, and micro-blogging, all from the same little box like this. ;)
try “tastyping” as your beta code ;)
kisses
Oli from the-iBlog
June 12th, 2008 5:53 am
@gcrush - going to give that a go now, cheers !
@gcrush
June 12th, 2008 6:03 am
I’m so glad I could be of service! If the beta code does not work, I got mine by asking for one on twitter. It didn’t take too long to come up with it. ;)
caution! you thought twittering was addictive, watch out for pink.fm it honestly makes life so much easier, that you want to do so much more! ;)
well I do anyways,
always a place and time for love and happiness ;)
Oli from the-iBlog
June 12th, 2008 6:08 am
@gcrush - All signed up. Glad to see there is an iPhone version of the site, as that’s how I do most of my social networking.
The only thing about it is I’ll still be opening all the individual services to check for replies/new messages etc.
Kayty
June 12th, 2008 2:01 pm
Well i am a plurk user of about 4 days…and it’s my new addiction i already have over 40 karma and over 400 replies…>.< I have a Twitter and got a Pownce invite 2 days after it came out. I LOVED Pownce it was simple easy and more “Friendly” i could have a conversation with my friends..Twitter dosent really allow that very easily.. AND like several people have said on there. It is TRUE web 2.0 you get all these sites that claim to be but they arnt…just LOOK that way. Soo out of 10 i give Plurk a 9 ana a half! ^_^
Kelly RUsk
June 14th, 2008 5:58 am
As a die-hard twitterer, I was pretty skeptical of Plurk, but it honestly took me about 5 minutes to fall in love with. I love how it brings a more IM feel that Twitter lacked (as when the @replies get far apart, it’s hard to track without another site like quotably.com)
Now the only problem is I have tons of followers on Twitter, but only a handful on Plurk–do I really want to build that all over again? (In case I do, you can find me at http://www.plurk.com/user/krusk)
tony
June 21st, 2008 1:45 am
Off topic - I’m curious about your experience w/ multiple Twitter accounts.
Why did you choose to unify your Twittering under your problogger account? Was it too much to manage both? Unnecessary? I”m in a similar situation and about to merge both accounts since I’m not using one very much.
Great site, btw. Just found it today while investigating Plurk.
Paul
June 23rd, 2008 2:03 pm
Looks interesting I guess. I’ve reserved my name at the very least. Seems to be a lot of people plurking about Plurk so far…
Bennett Smythe
June 29th, 2008 3:03 pm
I’ve been checking out Plurk due to Twitter’s recent stability problems. Also, most of the crowd I was interacting with on a regular basis seems to be moving towards Plurk. I’ll use both for a couple of weeks and then probably make a decision as to which one to stay with. So far I like Plurk a lot.
http://www.plurk.com/user/bennettsmythe
Reginald
July 23rd, 2008 8:58 am
Kelly Rusk,
How would you recommend that an individual decide between all the possibilities like Plurk or Twitter?
sue
July 31st, 2008 8:26 pm
I prefer Plurk to Twitter because there is a greater feeling of continuity there and it’s easy to pick up on the threads. Not got the hang of all the tools yet
Carla
September 28th, 2008 10:42 am
JUST found out able Plurk. I like the format so far and already found a few blogger friends. We’ll see how it goes!
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