There are any number of clients available for download that allow you to keep up with Twitter through iPhones, Windows Mobile phones, or even Blackberries. When it comes to the T-Mobile Sidekick, however, you only have the web and text message options. The web option is a bit time consuming while the phone refreshes the web page. Text messaging does not give you all the messages meant for you. Luckily, there is another option for T-Mobile Sidekick users, TTYtter.
There are a couple of assumptions with this solution.
- You have a shell account somewhere.
- You are not so supremely geeky that you would not want to be seen with a Sidekick.
First, you’ll need to download the terminal client available on your Sidekick for $10. Simply go to the application catalog and download the client that is in the productivity folder. This will give you SSH and Telnet ability. The software effectively lets you log in to your server shell account somewhere on the Internet, which should have TTytter installed.
If you don’t have a shell account, you can get one at Freeshells.org. There are free accounts, but it is better if you pay the extra money to become a full member. Follow the instructions on how to connect to your shell account. You will need to be a paid member before you can download the source code to your account easily. Pay the money and wait to be verified.
Once you are verified, you can use Lynx (just type lynx to bring up the text-based browser) to download a copy of TTYtter. Once you get the source code, you can press P to save the page to file. Just name it ttytter to make your life easier. Enter chmod +x ttytter to make it executable. Then simply type ttytter -user=yourtwittername:yourpassword. Your most recent Twitter messages should come up and refresh automatically. You’re all set.
I realize that this solution borders on the user being geeky enough to have and use a linux shell account, yet not so geeky that the Sidekick is seen as a toy. If productivity is your goal, then this is probably not the solution for you. You’re better off with the smartphones. If communication and fun is your aim, then the T-Mobile Sidekick with a terminal emulator on Twitter is up your alley. The built in chat clients, email, unlimited text messaging, and now TTYter will keep you connected with all your peeps.
Shaine 