Via @timbuckteeth I’ve recently run across a new tool for Twitter seems to have a lot of potential. TweepML is a service that lets you create indices of Twitter users that can made available to others.

The idea of cataloging groups of Twitter users is nothing new certainly, however the additional functionality that TweepML offers makes it a far preferable option to a standard web page or wiki article. In particular, whereas static indexes just provide links to view the profiles of other people on Twitter, TweepML actually lets you follow them as well – en masse if desired.

Creating Lists

The service itself is fairly simple. Just go to http://tweepml.org and create an account (it doesn’t appear to support open authentication through Twitter at present). Then click on the big orange button that reads “Get started with our TweepGen Tool – Add it to Your Site” to visit the table of your existing lists and click on the Create a new list link to access the list creation form.

[Note: Strangely it appears that the menu options (Home, My Lists, View Lists, Create a List) are not visible on the main page, only the TweepGen Tool area]

Users are added to this form simply by including each account name on its line without the @ symbol or URL link (e.g. mbogle).

Once you’ve created the list, you’ll have the option of choosing from a variety of buttons or links (see the Get Link area for your list), generating the XML for the list, or viewing the end product.

Sharing and Using Lists

Once a list is created you can circulate the URL to others. They will now be able to browse through the user list, follow some or all of them without having to go to Twitter to do it, as well as suggest new users, or request the removal of existing ones.

As an example of how this service might be useful, please see Alec Couros’ indices of students enrolled in EC&I Fall 2009 – Social Media & Open Education. As he explains:

“I have taken all of the Twitter user ids of for-credit students, non-credit students, and presenters and have created two http://tweepml.org/ lists. I had to create two lists as the limit is currently 100 members for each list. I am told by TweepML that they will raise the limit soon at which time I will combine the lists into one.”

A few minor criticisms…

Having said all this, I have a few minor criticisms and change requests.

First, TweepML does not currently support batch uploading of users – you have to enter them all by hand.  So if you intend to create a list that contains dozens or more people, there’s not quick way to do it.

Suggestion: Bring in support for CSV uploads, or incorporate other ways of making batch changes to lists.

Secondly, there also doesn’t appear to be a way to grant read/write access to other users and thus distribute the work of maintaining the list.  A single individual owns and controls each list, and is responsible for maintaining it.

Suggestion: Expand the management of lists to include a single owner, but additional nominated moderators/agents who can also make changes to them.

Finally, regarding notifications.  Users have the option to request additions or removals of users from the list, and this information is sent through as a notification to the list owner.  However near as I can tell, the information is only available in the email – there does not seem to be a record of the request maintained in the TweepGen Tool area.  So if you lose or delete the email, there is no way to track down the information it contained; and when you do know the changes, there is no quick way to approve them – it requires manual intervention.

Suggestion: Track requests in the TweepGen Tool area, and offer quick ways to either delete or process/activate the requests, rather than input them manually.

That said, these criticisms are minor ones and not intended to detract from the notion that TweepML is a useful service worth taking a look at.

To take a look at TweepML for yourself, just visit: http://tweepml.org