“just setting up my twttr.” That’s how it all began on March 21, 2006 when Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey sent out the very first tweet. Seven years later @ replies and hastags are the norm. Admittedly, I’m not the most rabid user of the microblogging service, but it’s hard to imagine life without hashtags. Don’t you agree? Side note: When did this (#) change from number sign to pound key to the ever so trendy hashtag?

With over 200 million active users, and more than 400 million Tweets sent out every day, Twitter, like it or not, is here to stay. As for the most re-tweeted Tweet in history, that honor goes to President Obama. On election night, his “Four more years.” had more than over 800,000 re-tweets.

To celebrate the company’s anniversary, key moments in their history are highlighted in a cute video. From natural disasters (Japan earthquake) to global events (London 2012 Olympics) and even Oprah Winfrey’s first Tweet are included. With regards to the latter, the OWN network founder gets a caps etiquette lesson from none other than Shaquille O’Neal. Check out the clip below.

watch the video after the jump

A while back, I wrote an article that I titled, Online Anonymity: The Secret Bully. In the post, I talked about how I had noticed how people are so quick to write awful things online, harass people, or bring others down because they can hide behind their anonymity. This is called the “Online Disinhibition Effect“.

This week, PBS Offbook released a video documentary special called Bad Behavior Online: Bullying, Trolling & Free Speech. In the description of the video, they explain, “As most of us have seen or experienced, the internet can bring out the worst behavior in people, highlighting some of the cruelest and most hurtful aspects of humanity. Issues such as bullying online and trolling have garnered a lot of attention recently, prompting questions about who does, and should, regulate the internet, and what free speech means online.”

Watch the interesting video below to see several opinions about the issue and to really get a rude awakening as to the type of repulsive behavior that is going on online.

Watch the video after the jump…

Since Instagram (owned by Facebook) disabled its integration with Twitter cards last week (what was used to display images within Twitter messages), Twitter has just this week announced the ability to post photos will filters through their own app. Bam, Instagram! (slash I still love Instagram – lol).

I haven’t yet used the new photo feature myself, but along with the announcement, Twitter released a short one-minute video showing how it works and what features are available to you. There are eight different filters to choose from and users have the ability to also crop, zoom, and auto-enhance images.

Today, Twitter also released a video titled “2012 Year On Twitter,” highlighting some of the big events of the year and how that translated into trending topics and popular hashtags. “From the Pope to Pelé to PSY, Twitter welcomed new voices from every corner of the planet,” the description of the video reads. “Moments of serendipity and just plain awesomeness came to life in 2012 on Twitter.” Watch both the “Photo Filter” video and “2012 Year On Twitter” below.

Watch the two videos on the new feature after the jump…

Oh. Em. Gee. If I could give comedians Ryan Steele and Amy Goodmurphy an award for their best video of the year, this one would be it. It’s current, it’s dead on, and it’s hilarious.

The following video is a trailer for the (pretend) upcoming movie ‘Likes‘ about two people (Steele & Goodmurphy) obsessed with Facebook likes. They post sexy and horny shots in order to be validated by the likes, but what happens when they don’t get the response they’re seeking? How far will they go to get the online validation they so desperately need? Really far. Their worlds spiral out of control really fast and they become “Likes” junkies. The video also stars Yuzuru Yabuki, Chris Cook, and Jeff Lynch.

This isn’t the first social media related video they’ve done in 2012. Earlier this year, the two made a music video that was all about Instagram called “Instagram Me Baby.”

Watch the ‘Likes’ video after the jump…

This is actually pretty funny. With the world becoming more and more obsessed with social media as part of their daily life, this new Funny or Die video demonstrates that even secret agents are not immune to this dangerous addiction.

In the faux movie trailer, Kellan Lutz plays the world’s deadliest secret agent, but he has one fatal flaw: A dangerous addiction to social media. His commanding officer urges him, “Dammit Hashtag, this mission is top secret! Stop posting on Instagram!” Hashtag responds, “It’s okay, I recovered the nuclear codes.” The commanding officer responds, “I know, I saw your Tumblr post!” That’s not the only social media he uses. In the trailer he live tweets his car chases, follows his suspects on Pinterest, tags villains he’s about to kill on Facebook, and even when he finds himself in danger, he checks into the underground torture chamber he’s being held at on Foursquare.

The icing on the cake is when you find out what the motive is for the main villain in this fake movie is and who his character is. Enjoy!

Watch the video after the jump…

Instagram is certainly one of those Smart Phone apps that really took off and with that, the’ve just taken it one step further. The app was purchased by Facebook not too long ago and pp until now, Instagram was only viewable on your phone or if you “shared” it with Facebook or Twitter. Now, over the next couple days they’re rolling out Instagram Profiles on the web.

Instagram describes the profile as follows: “Your web profile features a selection of your recently shared photographs just above your profile photo and bio, giving others a snapshot of the photos you share on Instagram. In addition, you can follow users, comment & like photos and edit your profile easily and directly from the web. It’s a beautiful new way to share your Instagram photos!”

In order to find your friend’s online profiles, simply type in instagram.com/[username]. For example, you can view my profile by going to the following address: http://instagram.com/patricklevesque. Now, with everything all of a sudden going online, you may be wondering how the privacy settings work…

Privacy for online Instagram after the jump…

Opening at the end of the month is the latest in fairy tale remakes, ‘Mirror Mirror‘. The film stars Julia Roberts as the Queen, Lily Collins as Snow White, and Armie Hammer as Prince Alcott.

In the following video parody, quite obviously made as a promotional tool for the film, the Evil Queen uses all of her social media accounts to help get the attention of the charming prince and to eliminate the problem that is Snow White.

The Evil Queen (using her poison “Apple” computer) searches on “Mirror Mirror,” the fairy tale version of Google and uses the parody versions of Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and of course a token dating site to do what she has to do. I love what she posts on Twitter: “#HeardARumor that Snow White has vanished… how tragic. So young. Blah, blah, blah. Still, life goes on. Hope to see you all at my wedding!:)” It’s a clever and funny video and worth the watch. Check it out below!

Watch the funny & cute parody after the jump…

Last night at the Times Center in New York, the Shorty Awards were held to honor and celebrate achievements in social media. Has anyone ever heard of these? This a new award ceremony for me but apparently its in its third year.

During the ceremony, attendees which varied from tech gurus, to trendy hipsters, young and old entrepreneurs as well as two famous famous: Kiefer Sutherland and Jim Gaffigan (who are currently starring in That Championship Season on Broadway. Aasif Mandavi of The Daily Show served as the host for the evening starting off by saying that this award show is one of the most “irrelevant” awards shows ever.

Kiefer gave out the first award for Best Journalism which went to the West Wing Report. Throughout the evening there were many ties and according to some, very prepared winners. The acceptance speeches were kept under 140 characters and were projected onto the main screen. Some winners sent in video acceptance speeches. Does this seem bizarre to anyone else?

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