I had to look it up just now because I don’t remember when I started using it.
It was around May of 2009. I don’t even think it was possible to use you browser to access it, either. It was before iOS had an app.
Twitter didn’t even own it yet!
This was two years after I started using Twitter in March of 2007; Twitter permitted for us to sign up at SXSW that year so I was an early user even though I didn’t really understand its utility and it was still finding its place.
Tweetdeck is how I primarily interacted with Twitter all this time. It’s consistent. It provided near real-time updates without me refreshing. It’s my go to, to see how the public is reacting.
Then, this past Sunday, it was yanked away from me and replaced by the new version. A version that’s going to be locked down behind a paywall after the end of July. And this new version just doesn’t compare or stand a chance.
Sure, I have other ways to figure all of this out. But Tweetdeck was there for me through a long span of my adulthood.
I could see all kinds of people confirming that I just felt an earthquake. I got to know smaller personalities who weren’t well-known. I also could see what celebrities were thinking. So many pointless brands hawking to get my attention.
It was always there. I learned a lot. I was always entertained.
If it’s locked up and thrown away from me, so be it. I won’t miss what it is now.
EDIT July 9 – They are allowing the old version to be used again, but I cam only assume it’ll still be hidden behind a paywall after the end of the month.