Social Media WOTD: Client #socmedWOTD #wordoftheday

Client

screenshot of Seemisc for Android mobile phones

In social media, "client" actually has two meanings.  The folks who hire Yatmedia are our clients, of course.  it's the second meaning that we'd like to discuss today.

I noticed someone I don't know at all (but who follows @YatPundit on Da Twittah) mention that they installed Tweetdeck and had no idea what it was all about.  Tweetdeck, like HootSuite and Seesmic, are Twitter "clients."  These are programs that offer an alternative to the messaging platform's website.  They access Twitter via the platform's API (Application Programming Interface).

Client software is usually a boon for an on-line service, since it allows alternatives to the primary platform.  An open API enables software developers to write programs to access that service from a number of operating environments (Windows, Mac, Linux/UNIX, etc.)

What clients do you use for social media platforms? Tell us in comments here or @yatmedia on Twitter.