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Twitter asks "What's happening?" Farewell, "What are you doing?"

The site has asked "What are you doing?" since its inception, but because it has evolved into new territory a new phrase was needed.

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Computing | by Samuel Axon | Thu Nov 19, 2009 7:00PM | 0 comments

Since the beginning, Twitter has asked you to (in 140 characters or less) answer the question "What are you doing?" That's because the site was originally conceived as a means of delivering personal statuses ala Facebook. Over time, though, Twitter has become much more. It's become a social news aggregation system, a professional networking tool, and a new frontier in media.

As a result, the folks in the Twitter offices have finally decided it's time to stop asking "What are you doing?" Instead, the Twitter web interface will ask the more open-ended question "What's happening?" We'd say it's the end of an era, but we're pretty sure that in the long term "What are you doing?" will be forgotten by all but the most veteran social media enthusiasts.

This story around the web:

Trusted sources:
external link What's Happening? [Twitter Blog]
external link Techmeme: What's Happening? … [techmeme.com]
external link Twitter now asks, 'What's happening?' |… [news.cnet.com]
external link Twitter retools prompt, asks… [venturebeat.com]
external link Twitter Now Asks “What’s Happening” [TechCrunch]
external link Twitter Drops “What are You Doing?” Now… [Mashable!]
external link Yes, we are serious: Twitter is no longer… [thenextweb.com]
external link Twitter Changes Default Question | Erictric [erictric.com]
external link Twitter No Longer Cares What You’re… [twittercism.com]

Latest Tweets about this story:

  • OwenGreaves - @Alpha_Computer Using Twitter is a small part of it bro, if they don't understand what's happening and or coming, big trouble
  • _YoungReezy - Twitter asked me "What's Happening?" and I say keeping it gangsta.
  • emedebe - Desvinculé el twitter del facebook. Ahora sé que "What's on your mind?" ya no es "What's happening?".
  • Videofashion - Fashion week starts this week!! Follow us @Videofashion on Twitter for up to the minute news on what's happening... http://bit.ly/a4Ag2z
  • dhldhldhl - What's happening guys? I got some twitter like thing on my website now, make sure to check it out!! http://dhldhldhl.netne.net -> news
  • iamteejayh - I'm back now on twitter...It's time yo update what's happening in this world of tweets! LOLz
  • GENEVIEVE485 - Hey what's happening beautiful people of twitter
  • EveyRyan - @myfirsttooth hey Ross! What's happening? Have barns & cath joined the Twitter revolution also? X
  • trishofthetrade - @chrismjand Well.. I'm pretty sure they don't know what's happening most of the time. You're better off checking Twitter.
  • littlemissloo - What's happening to the world. Almost all the girls I know here in Twitter is pissed off by something or someone. Weird. What is up??

Get more information on topics relating to this story:


Related company news:
Twitter, Inc.
Related glossary terms:
tweet, Microblogging, Social networking
Related devices and services:
Twitter, Facebook

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