OStatic

TwitApps, which provides tools for Twitter, is shutting down the project and releasing its code to the open source community. Dallas, the project leader, says the decision disappoints him but he's simply no longer interested in continuing it and hopes others will pick it up and move forward.

It's becoming increasingly common for developers to get started on small (and large) projects, only to abandon them to the open source community for further development. In a blog post on his Web site, Dallas told TwitApps' 4,000 users:

If you're in the market for a lightweight, open source microblogging client for the desktop, have a look at Spaz. It's a slick cross-platform app that uses Adobe Air to update your status on Twitter, Identi.ca, and Laconi.ca.

Spaz supports multiple themes, event sounds, and user-defined CSS overrides. You can delete updates you've already sent, Favorite your friends' Tweets, and send direct messages or replies to other users. Spaz keeps track of who you follow as well as who follows you, and auto-refreshes to keep you on top of all incoming direct or timeline messages.

In the past ten months, I've become hopelessly addicted to micro-blogging. It's not solely because I like the sound of my own keyboard clacking -- it's a quick, easy way to stay connected and informed. Like countless others, I started with the ubiquitous Twitter service, but have recently found myself using Identi.ca, based on the open source platform Laconi.ca, more often.

The world of micro-blogging isn't confined to two or three services, of course. Remember Jaiku? Jaiku, after it was purchased by Google in 2007, fell relatively silent. Late last summer, the service was again offered to the general public through an unlimited number of invitations. In January, Google announced it was shutting down Jaiku (and a few other services) without much explanation.

ReadWriteWeb directs our attention to an announcement posted on Jaiku's Jaikido blog stating that Jaiku is now running on Google's App Engine, and that its code base, now known as JaikuEngine, has been open sourced under the Apache license 2.0.

What does this mean for Jaiku, open micro-blogging platforms, and Twitter?

There are some phrases that come up repeatedly, especially in one's professional life: It's all about who you know. I need to put in some face time. Focus on developing your networking skills.

Traditionally these sorts of things were said in relation to attending conferences and conventions -- live and in-person. Now, however, it's more common to meet and collaborate with others online. Meet the social networking services, which, as the name implies, are as much social as work related. Just like face-to-face conventions, social networks unite people to collaborate on and discuss ideas, and, at least occasionally, goof off.

Whether you're using your social networking time for honest to goodness work, or as a diversion cleverly disguised as work, it's good to use it effectively. You'll end up getting your work done faster, or at least pack as much playtime into your day as possible.

Using this time effectively (for whatever reason) is difficult due to the sheer number of networking services. Linux users have a native gem for keeping on top of it all -- Gwibber.