This Blog discusses high-level algorithms and basic Twitter rules. If this is a product you can use (i.e. willing to pay small monthly fee), please let us know and we can focus efforts to build upon the prototype.
While our developers have been busy working on our inaugural product, DOT Trader, my focus has been building partnerships (Strategic Alliance with Brokerage Houses) and our search engine visibility (or Search Engine Marketing).
Search engines rank material based on frequency of updates and the perceived value to users. The value is partially based on the number of external links directed towards to your web site, such as through Blogs, Facebook, Twitter, and other Web sites. We embraced all methods to expand our Internet visibility and quickly realized Twitter is the most powerful means to spread our message and build a strong Internet presence.
After researching several Twitter applications and identifying various limitations, we decided to move forward with a customized application. Since our professional developers are focused on our official product line, I took on the task of building a prototype Twitter application with the following basic objectives:
1) Build our followers base (reach mass audience).
2) Perform automated tweets (always have fresh material).
Since we are not famous movie stars, rock stars, or teen heart-throbs, building our followers base takes more effort than just signing up for a new Twitter account. Understanding the Twitter rules is critical to avoid being suspended or banned. A few nice links are below.
1) Best Practices
2) Automation Rules and Best Practices
3) The Twitter Rules
4) Twitter Streaming API
These rules are in place to enable even loading on Twitter servers and to help everyone have a good experience with fresh content. Summarizing a few of the more important rules:
1) Avoid Churn – Do not continuously add and remove followers, particularily in an automated fashion.
2) Back Off – If the Twitter servers are preventing your requests, wait a reasonable amount of time before making your next request.
3) Parallel Accounts - If you have multiple Twitter accounts, use them of independent purposes.
Some empirical Twitter numbers are presented below. These are subject to change at any time and vary based on Twitter server loading.
1) A user can initially follow 2,000 screen names, then ratios are used.
2) The number of screen names you can follow is 110% of those following you. (i.e. if followers is 2,000, then following can be 2,200).
3) You can technically follow up to 1,000 screen names in a single a day, however "excessive" adding is not allowed.
4) There does not appear to be a limit on the number of screen names that can be removed on a specific day. I had a software bug and accidently removed 2,200 followers one day.
To stay within the Twitter rules, the our high-level follower growth algorithm is executed manually on a daily basis.
1) Collect detailed data on various twitter screen names.
2) Add screen names based on specific criteria, such as strong following base, keywords, number tweets, etc.
3) Wait a few days to see if they follow back.
4) Free up following space by removing screen names based on specific criteria, such as not following back, limited tweets, or keywords, etc.
Below is a screenshot of our prototype DOT Tweet application. Keep in mind, the objective of a prototype application is proof of concept. We can make it pretty later for commercial release.
More Information
Salventrex Web Site
Other Blogs
Quest for the Holy Grail in Securities Trading
Strategic Alliance with Brokerage Houses
Selecting Application Icons
Best Regards,
Dean DiSalvo.
dean@salventrex.com
Does the application will be free ?
ReplyDeleteIt will exists for Linux users ?
rOris,
ReplyDeleteWe would like to offer our DOT Tweet product for a small monthly license fee, around $20-$50. The goal is to set pricing low enough to reach a mass market. In April 2010, I opened our Twitter account and was wasting several hours a day managing Following AND Followers. Our product makes it fun :)
We are definitely looking for Feedback.
1) Is $20-$50 per month a fair price?
2) A Linux release is definitely possible, is there a strong demand from Linux users?
Thanks,
Dean DiSalvo.
No, I think it's a good price but only if it is a good product :)
ReplyDeleteAnd, for Linux, I really don't know :/
Hi Dean!
ReplyDeleteViable pricing and very reasonable for DOTtweet, I saw an earlier post regarding the "holy grail", just had to comment:-) It is in the visual presentation format and interpretation of the exchange traded data where the "holy grail" is. We all have the same information from the "exchange"
Best regards
P.S
Looking forward to test drive Trader, when its available
Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments. I agree with your "holy grail" perspective.
Our Trading product is designed to enable the user more customized control of the visual presentation, hence a better interpretation of the data.
Look forward to test Trader myself, when it is available. :)
Regards,
Dean.
Hello there-
ReplyDeleteI came across your site through twitter and it looks like you have some great projects in the works :-). Are you guys going to be looking for beta testers for the twitter program?
Courtney
If you are looking for beta testers, I would be interested. I really am a qualified QA tester too!
ReplyDelete