Jason Unger

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Twitter is the best tool for getting information on the Web. I don't say that lightly, but it's designed exactly for how we interact with the Internet.

We don't read online. We especially do not read long content. So limiting what you have to say to 140 characters forces you to get right to the point — a great way to practice your Web headlines.

Add in the fact that you're getting content from people you trust, and Twitter becomes an amazing way to get and convey information.

But as a Web publisher, Twitter puts you in a predicament: if you can get your message across as a Tweet, why bother blogging about it?

Penelope Trunk argues that Twitter is for a different side of you — not necessarily your blog face. "If you express yourself in the same way on a blog and on Twitter, then you don’t need both," she writes.

Brian Clark said Twitter "may well be the end of Copyblogger," but instead of sending out tidbits on copywriting and online marketing, he tweets a lot of quotes.

They say Twitter is about conversations, but in reality, it's about delivering valuable content to your followers.

I just finished a book recommended to me on Twitter. I've suggested a site about moving scams to Chris Pearson, who was looking for a mover. And I've helped convince Davis Freeberg to sign up for Vonage (though I didn't get a referral, darn).

Penelope is right — Twitter is for another side of you: the shorter, more-to-the-point side. I was thinking about writing a blog about Leo Laporte's new TWiT Live, but I could say it in less than 140 characters, so I tweeted it instead.

The people who subscribe to your blog and the people who follow you on Twitter do it for one main reason: they're interested in what you have to say. (Forget for a moment the trolls who follow everyone just to be followed.)

Don't fret if you find yourself Twittering more than blogging. It's not that big of a deal.

As long as you're delivering useful content to your audience, everyone wins.

Follow me on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/junger

Automating your life is easier than you think.

My finances are on autopilot — and it's been the best thing ever.

Not only does it save you boatloads of time, but it's actually pretty comforting.

So how do you automate the biggest time waster in your life — Facebook? It's easier than you think.

Here are 5 ways to automate your Facebook experience.

Import Blog Posts as Notes

Every one of your blog posts can automatically be imported into your profile — easily. In Facebook:

• Click on "Notes" on your left-hand Applications navigation.
• On the right-hand nav, click on "Import a blog" under Notes Settings
• Enter your blog URL, check off box, and click "Start Importing"
• Verify your RSS feed is appearing correctly, and "Confirm Import"

Ta-da! Your blog posts are now automatically being imported into Facebook.

Subscribe to Friend Updates via RSS

Find what your friends are doing by getting their status updates delivered to you via RSS.

On facebook.com/friends, click on "Friends' Status Feed" in the right-hand column.

Subscribe to the feed in your favorite RSS reader (I recommend Firefox's Live Bookmarks, since there isn't anything more to read than the one-line status).

Sync Your Twitter and Status

Why update your Facebook status if you're using Twitter to do essentially the same thing?

TwitterSync automatically posts your latest Tweets as your status. You can add a verb like "tweets," or "is twittering," "is," etc. before the update, or leave it completely blank.

The official Twitter app also syncs your status and tweets, but (until recently) automatically adds "is twittering" before posting your status.

Add Flickr, Digg, del.icio.us to your News Feed

Don't waste your time uploading your pictures, bookmarks and more to a specific service and to Facebook — automatically import them into your Mini-Feed.

On your profile page, under the Mini-Feed header, click "Import." This will allow you to import items from

• del.icio.us
• Digg
• Flickr
• Picasa
• Yelp

Share Stories with Shareaholic

Instead of heading to Facebook to post links or stories on your profile, use Shareaholic.

The Firefox plugin lets you share any Web page on Facebook, Digg, StumbleUpon, Twitter, Mixx and more without leaving the actual page.

What did I miss? How are you automating your Facebook experience?

If you're only checking the blog when the spirit moves you, you're missing out on a lot of good content.

Consider signing up for updates via email or subscribing to the RSS feed (if you don't know what that means, get the email updates).

Both methods allow new stories to get sent straight to you; it's perfect if you don't have the time to surf on over to the site. Literally, the entire story comes your way — not just a headline and a link.

If you're interested in finding out more on a meta level, consider adding me to your Twitter account (that's what that little box on the left is, Mom).

I'm very good about keeping up with the people who are keeping up with me — so if you've got a blog or a Twitter account or just want to be friends on Facebook or LinkedIn, let me know and we'll make that connection.

Don't worry, I won't sell you on eBay.

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Follow me on Twitter

Best. Quote. Ever.

From Dvorak's twitter feed:

Wow, I finally sign in after who knows how long and have a ton of you Twitter nerds following me. You actually use this stuff?

That guy is hilarious. Cranky Geeks is one of the funniest shows, even though his panel tends to suck.

Dvorak dot org slash blog.

(photo from Cord Blomquist)