Just like every new application in Web2.0, Twitter has received much hype since its establishment in 2006 and currently has millions of users. It also brought the concept of "microblogging" into the Internet, leading a lifestyle of nagging, muttering, and chattering.
Nowadays, with the popularity of Twitter, Chinese microblogging platforms have sprung up like mushrooms after rain. Besides the old FANFOU and JIWEI, there is also TAO from Tencent. Even NetEase launched their microblogging platform - Huaiyin Tree Down - just before the Olympics. In order to help everyone understand and choose a suitable microblogging platform, we selected six common Chinese microblogging platforms for a horizontal evaluation.
Fun fact: What is microblogging?
Microblogging (Micro Blog) or Mini Blog, through the microblogging platform, we can post messages anytime and anywhere via mobile phone, web page, MSN/GTalk/QQ, etc., publish your latest updates, instant thoughts, share your nagging, muttering, tell everyone what you're doing, see what everyone else is doing. Because the content of the posted messages is relatively short, generally not exceeding 140 Chinese characters (for Chinese microblogging), it's also called a "one sentence" blog.
Blog Name: FANFOU, JIWEI, AI LAODAO, TAO, ZUOSHA, HUAIYIN TREE DOWN
One, Registration and Login
The convenience of registration and login directly affects the speed at which newbies get started, and microblogging platforms are no exception. Below, let's take a look at the methods and difficulty levels of registration and login for these six Chinese microblogging platforms.
The veteran FANFOU has a relatively simple registration method, using an Email address to register (Fig. 1), which can be completed in one step, but email verification is required. When logging in, you also need to use your Email, which is relatively cumbersome.
JIWEI is also one of the pioneers of domestic microblogging, with a registration method similar to FANFOU, also supporting mobile SMS, MSN/QQ/Gtalk robot registration.
Compared to FANFOU and JIWEI, AI LAODAO allows you to complete registration in one step, including personal space URL, avatar, etc.
Since 2007 when Tencent officially released their microblogging platform - TAO, opinions have been mixed. With QQ's strong user base, there are currently more than 30 million TAO friends who post their mutterings on TAO. You don't need to register if you have a QQ account; you can log in to TAO (Fig. 2) directly and start muttering. When logging into QQ, you can click on a friend's avatar icon. When the mouse pointer hovers over the personalized signature, click "more" in the pop-up window to access TAO.
The registration interface of ZUOSHA is similar to that of ordinary websites, neither complicated nor simple.
Compared to other microblogs, HUAIYIN TREE DOWN offers more diverse login methods, such as logging in with the registered Email address, username, or UID.
Summary: The registration methods of FANFOU, JIWEI, and HUAIYIN TREE DOWN are relatively simple and easy to get started. However, to make muttering more interesting, users usually need to supplement personal information later. FANFOU needs improvement by supporting username login. The registration content of ZUOSHA and AI LAODAO is relatively more, while TAO's identity is special, making it the best choice for QQ users.
Two, Text Message Publishing/Receiving
The reason why microblogging has become widely popular is not only because it advocates a life style of muttering and murmuring, but also because of the rich variety of message publishing methods, such as mobile phones, web pages, MSN/GTalk/QQ/Skype, etc., for both publishing and receiving messages. Below, we will conduct a horizontal comparison of the text message publishing/receiving methods of these six Chinese microblogging platforms.
FANFOU supports publishing and receiving the latest messages through MSN, QQ, GTalk robots. However, you need to open the "Settings" and enter "MSN/GTalk/QQ" to bind (cancel) settings. You can also synchronize the MSN/GTalk/QQ signature to FANFOU. In addition, you can post text messages for free via mobile SMS and post messages via mobile WAP browsing. Recently, some Adobe AIR enthusiasts have developed FANFOU AIR clients to post messages through this tool.
Compared to FANFOU, JIWEI supports a richer variety of IM software, including MSN/GTalk/QQ, Feixin, Yahoo Messenger, Skype, AOL, etc. Additionally, there are some unique features, such as binding updates from famous microblogging sites like Twitter and Facebook.
AI LAODAO supports a relatively comprehensive range of message publishing methods, including popular QQ/MSN/GTalk, mobile SMS, WAP browsing, etc.
Summary: A more comprehensive channel for text message publishing/receiving can attract more users. From the horizontal comparison of these six Chinese microblogging platforms, except for HUAIYIN TREE DOWN which is relatively single, the others are quite rich, especially JIWEI, which supports up to nine kinds of IM software. Moreover, sending messages via mobile SMS usually only incurs normal SMS fees. In terms of client tools, although currently provided tools are not many, because microblogging platforms generally provide API interfaces, there will definitely be rich third-party tools in the future.
Three, Multimedia Information Publishing/Sharing
Summary: In addition to text messages, in order to better record life and attract users, microblogging sites generally also provide multimedia information publishing such as images, videos, and music. For example, JIWEI, ZUOSHA, and HUAIYIN TREE DOWN all have good support; while the veteran FANFOU and the wealthy TAO only support image publishing, which is somewhat regrettable; AI LAODAO is purely a text-based microblog.
Four, Friend Information Sharing/Management
Summary: Through horizontal comparisons, we found that all six microblogging platforms have comprehensive functions for sharing and managing friend information. FANFOU, TAO, and HUAIYIN TREE DOWN are relatively perfect. However, in terms of usability, FANFOU, JIWEI, TAO, ZUOSHA, and HUAIYIN TREE DOWN are easier to get started with, while AI LAODAO's operation does not conform to habits.
Five, Plugins, RSS Subscription
Summary: Although plugins are not important functions, they can add color to your blog or website. Overall, the designs of FANFOU, JIWEI, and TAO are relatively aesthetic, ZUOSHA's functions are rich, while AI LAODAO and HUAIYIN TREE DOWN are much inferior. Regarding RSS subscription function, TAO is disappointing.
Six, Popularity, Interactivity
Summary: Both FANFOU and JIWEI are very popular. TAO relies on QQ's large user base and also enjoys high popularity. In terms of interactivity, JIWEI, TAO, and HUAIYIN TREE DOWN have relatively complete interactive functions.
Seven, Summary of Horizontal Evaluation
From the results of the horizontal evaluation of these six microblogs, overall, FANFOU, JIWEI, TAO, and ZUOSHA performed relatively well. FANFOU, JIWEI, and ZUOSHA are the first choices for microblogging enthusiasts, while TAO is the first choice for QQ users who are also microblogging enthusiasts. Improvements are needed: FANFOU should improve the login method, preferably supporting usernames; JIWEI could develop client publishing tools; TAO is recommended to add music and video publishing, RSS subscription functions; ZUOSHA needs to improve its popularity. AI LAODAO lacks popularity, has too many advertisements and spam messages (the administrator may be negligent). HUAIYIN TREE DOWN was launched a short time ago, has many bugs, such as being unable to log in normally using Email or UID, and because it is based on PBDigg and EasyTalk development platforms, it resembles a personal space more.