Yes, I think there is scope for variation in (3) – I think that in all technologies there’s the learning curve at the start of it all. I think that from my own perspective I see Twitter (at this stage of it’s evolution) as less of a disruptive technology and more of a continuation of other contact media, so I based my classifications very much with that in mind.

Love the Twitter categorization. I had not thought of relationships in this fashion.

Do you think your #3 entry is true for both new and longer term users of Twitter?

I could see, for instance, a new user following a large number of individuals out of curiosity or in an attempt to learn how the “followed” were using the medium, but not being followers for the purpose of being spammers. I can also definitely see how a spammer would have few followers but be following a large number of individuals so they could spew the spam. I don’t have the answer but I could see the logic of both.

Very nice article. Thanks for posting.

Indeed – I’m a late adopter to twitter, and find it useful and invaluable for certain applications – finding new blogs and resources, promoting my own stuff, having chats with folks I know – but the spamming is getting a little excessive. I think I’ll hang on to my 9.95!

Engagement is very important to me – we may use technology that wasn’t even thought of 15 years ago, but we’re still in the business of talking to each other. I’ll take a look at those people you mention – as you can see I’m something of a Twitter newbie, but trying to learn!