Wireless resources on Twitter

I often tell people wireless is both a job and a hobby.  Like any hobby, one aspect I really enjoy is reaching out to others with the same interest to share information, debate, and learn from each other.   In this post, I want to highlight two different ways to find wireless users on Twitter: by using the #WirelessWednesday hashtag and through TweepML. 

"Hashtags" are a mechanism used on Twitter to group similar information and provide additional context to messages.   Most Twitter users are familiar with the #FollowFriday meme, where users recommend friends and colleagues to one another each Friday.  In that spirit, a new wireless hashtag was created, called #WirelessWednesday.  It works in a similar fashion, although the goal is to recommend your favorite wireless and mobile accounts. 

Created by @WirelessWoman, it was started as a way for those interested in mobile and wireless to find each other. #WirelessWednesday started in the summer of 2009, so it is relatively new.  Like many new ideas, it didn't take off right away, but rather took awhile to catch on.   Each week, more people use the tag, increasing the value of participation.

     Here's what one of the tweets looks like:

Where is this headed?  I spoke with the tag's creator, Kent Huffman, who stated there is no specific agenda other than to bring people together.   One idea we discussed was to use the hashtag as a leverage point to develop a more concrete place where people can create and share content (such as a centralized blog, a Ning community, etc.)

Beyond the #WirelessWednesday hashtag, another great way to find (and follow) wireless enthusiasts on Twitter is through a service called TweepML.  The wireless group was started by @joelvincent.  With one click you can follow more than 60 like minded individuals.  The functionality of TweepML is similar to that of Twitter lists.   However, one thing I like when comparing the two services is that TweepML is more centralized.   

To me, the value in the TweepML group is that it contains a variety of perspectives -- sales professionals, engineers, analysts, marketers, etc.   Furthermore, these individuals come from a variety of organizations such as vendors, research firms, and certification bodies.  The URL for the wireless group is http://tweepml.org/Wireless/

I, for one, appreciate this sense of community.  What other groups and communities exist for the wireless & mobile subculture?  How do you reach out to others to share your passion?   Let us know in the comments section!

Douglas J. Haider is a Principal Technologist with Xirrus. He hosts a personal blog at WiFiJedi.com, and micro-blogs on Twitter @wifijedi