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If you logged on to our home page today, April 1, you saw what it would be like if a newspaper went all-Twitter, all the time. For some, it was an idea that was hard to take seriously. For others, it was a serious scare, if only for a while. For still others, it was a welcome development.
Here at Xpress, we want to thank all of you who read, called and e-mailed about, and who contributed to the experiment. And we hope we’ve started a new dialogue about how best to use information-sharing tools like Twitter — about collaboration, empowering citizen journalists and the possibilities for the future.
To be real clear: The Xpress Twitter-powered newspaper was an April Fool’s Day stunt — but one with a purpose. We hope we didn’t confuse or offend anyone too greatly. Publisher Jeff Fobes’ manifesto and memo were artifice, as was the in-house drama here at Xpress. But if you got past the hyperbole, you saw some core truths lurking within the manifesto.
At the same time, we also hope that we’ve opened some eyes to the possibilities of working together. Xpress wants to cultivate passionate engagement. We think it’s important to track conversation around specific ideas and topics. Can Twitter help us do this? Are there better ways?
“This wasn’t just a joke — it was an experiment to see what would happen if we put all of our energy into making a Twitter paper, if only for a day,” Fobes said tonight. “And I feel sure we will come away with things we learned and take our publication to a new level. We don’t just want to go back to where we were.”
These are just some of the notions we’re thinking about as we move forward. We welcome your thoughts — please share them in the comments below, and elsewhere on our site.
— Jon Elliston, managing editor
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Awesome farce with a meaningful purpose. |
 Apr 01, 2009 at |
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The Associated Press has picked up on Xpress’ “Twaper,” along with other online jokes/experiments today: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jsONW-3iv58PvU4osW9nhIevnJ2gD97A0FDO0 |
 Apr 01, 2009 at |
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Twitter has great potential as an information gathering and dissemination tool. I am confident that this paper will be the only one in the region to properly utilize it, and the readers, in a way that goes beyond gimmick. |
 Apr 02, 2009 at |
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Hi. Welcome back. |
Andrew Apr 02, 2009 |
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You convinced WSPA’s Amy Wood that it was legit for a couple of hours. Well worth it for that alone. |
 Apr 02, 2009 at |
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Molton Apr 02, 2009 |
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ShootIhadjustfiguredouthowtorecapturesomeofthe140charactersbyeliminatingthespaces |
Apr 02, 2009 |
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I heard about the Guardian in the UK doing this before the Xpress… |
Amanda Apr 02, 2009 |
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You guys are so full of yourselves! The Guardian has already done this! |
Amanda Apr 02, 2009 |
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You Really Fooled me! I thought he would have to move HOME! NCR’s MOM |
jgr Apr 02, 2009 |
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Amanda, it happened at the same time, unless you count the 4 or so extra hours across the pond. Full of your self much? |
Apr 02, 2009 |
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Amen Molton. |
James Fisher Apr 03, 2009 |
