When Twitter launched in 2006, few people predicted how quickly this information network would grow, or how important it would become. Billed as both a social networking and a microblogging website, Twitter is a place where members gather to answer a simple question, "What's happening?" in 140 characters or less.
It's a simple concept, but Twitter has evolved into a complex universe filled with people from dozens of countries around the world, all swapping commentary, quotes and, most, importantly, useful information. Sports fans exchange scores and on-the-spot commentary. News hounds follow world events as they occur. For the traveler, Twitter can be an important planning tool.
Next: Twitter Basics
