Just as you get used to Twitter, along comes a new kid on the block - Plurk.

You may be wondering like me if Plurk has just got lucky.

Twitter’s recent troubles having left Twitterer’s robbed of their tweet fix’s, seem to have got them diving onto the Plurk wagon to avoid going Cold Turkey.

It then seems like once they got there, its been cosy and warm inside and so they’ve stayed on, which may make Plurk’s recent 1 hour maintenance session, leaving members Plurkless (is that a new word I’ve just invented) for, as Plurk admitted, quite a bit longer than expected, cold comfort for Twitter.

I’ve not tried Plurk yet, as to be honest, I’ve only really just dipped my toes in Twitter and I’m still getting to grips with it.

Probably, like you, one of the first lessons I learned on Twitter was to watch who you follow, as I’ve had to turn off the fire hose of incessant ramblings from some quarters. Having a computer sounding like a slot machine, ain’t quite what I’m looking for.

So I thought, is it worth sticking with Twitter

Or should I just skip that learning curve and jump straight over to Plurk ?

Following the old motto of “know your enemy”, I’ve had a quick look round to see what’s so special about Plurk to make it worth my while, and this is what I’ve found out so far:

Where did the weird name come from ?

Apparently, officially, it’s a blend of Play and Work, favoured by boffins for some bizarre reason. And who said science can’t be fun.

Plurk’s definitions are a little more tongue in cheek ( I think ) –

Noun. plurk (plüer-kh) – A really snazzy site that allows you to showcase the events that make up your life in deliciously digestible chunks. Low in fat, 5 calories per serving, yet chock full of goodness.

Verb. plurk (plüer-kh) – To chronicle the events of your always on, action-packed, storybook, semi-charmed kinda life.

Those who seem to know what they’re talking about mention the following:

1. Plurk and Twitter are actually totally different creatures, with only their short posts or should I say Tweets and Plurks aka Micro Blogging, in common.
   You can dive into conversation is Plurk and have a chance of knowing what its about.
   Diving into a Twitter conversation halfway through, can leave you totally confused about what’s going on, which rumour has it, isn’t the same in Plurk as it seems to follow the thread model found in Forums.
   So you can turn up late for a conversation in Plurk and still have a chance of knowing what’s going on.
2. Handling friends/followers seems a but more straightforward in Plurk.
   Instead of getting bombarded with notifying emails, you can simply walk down your (hopefully) large list of eager followers and just ticking the one’s that you like the look of.
   Like some Bouncer at the latest Hot Spot.
3. You can run around with your own pack of Cliques (I guess Groups didn’t sound sexy and Factions a bit too scary), and keep the in-jokes – well, in, with your own bunch of in-crowds.
   So you can hang around in different gangs or mobs (I’m beginning to see why these didn’t get on the list), for each of the things that you’re interested in.

But its not all one sided

Plurk has its own set of Stumbling Blocks too

When is Karmas not Karma.

1. When it gives you the Night Terrors about:
   Making Sure you have a Plurk everyday.
   But Don’t Plurk too much, 30 a day should be enough for anyone.
2. Making sure you go looking for Fans (Followers) but don’t try making Friends as each failed request will not do a lot for your Karma.
3. Don’t just have a quick Plurk when you feel like it.
   Random Thoughts will hurt you, think Conversations.
4. Don’t ignore anyone, even if they’re being spammy.
   Ironically, wanting nothing to do with them, will for some reason hurt you just as much as them.

It all sounds a bit Draconian

As usual the rules seem to be there for the best of reasons, keeping out the bad guys, but they seem to need a bit tweaking (or is it tweeting) to make sure the good guys don’t get hit along with the bad guys.

However, having been on the receiving end of a barrage of Tweets, keeping the Plurkers down, doesn’t sound too bad, if they can sort out some of the other mutual destruction stuff.

So what are my first thoughts

Its sounds to me as if

Twitter is more about telling the world what you’re up to.

Plurk is about starting meaningful conversations if not relationships.

What are your Thoughts on Twitter versus Plurk ?