Social Networking Services: Apps vs. Browser Use Part 3 - Plurk
Yesterday, we’ve discussed 3of the 4 major social networks that Filipinos hang out on. Today, we’re reviewing Plurk, an underrated social networking service.
Plurk came out as a rival to
Twitter, amongst other lesser-known microblogging sites like Jaiku, Yammer,
identi.ca, and even Google’s less successful Google Buzz. While the rest
haven’t survived the phenomenon of Twitter, Plurk stayed, floating on the
sidelines, but propelled by the Taiwanese social networking aficionados’ heavy
use of the service. Filipinos are also heavy users of Plurk, though Americans
haven’t caught on to Plurk’s unique charm, as they seem to favor Twitter.
And yet, Plurk is still
relevant today, even in the Philippines. Probably the main reason why Plurk survived is that its user interface is
different from Twitter’s. More on Plurk,how it works, and its unique charm here.
Plurka for Android is
possibly the best app for Plurk on the Android Market. There are only two
top-rated apps there: Plurka by anddevtw and PlurQ by Qiss.
Plurk for Android by Maxthon is rated with only 2 stars, and the reviews are
dismal. One reviewer noted that Plurk for Android by Maxthon requires the
download of the Maxthon browser, while others complained that the app needs you
to redownload it every time you open it for use. Not worth downloading, even to
test, wethinks. In fact, the screenshots show that it’s not worth your time at
all.
So, why do we love Plurka? It
has got to be the beautiful interface.
Plurka by anddevtw comes with the near-black gray of the Android’s Settings area. Thus,
the images on your timeline stand out. Not only that, the icons are such eye
candy that it’s tempting to press everything. Okay, we’re being like kids in a
candy store, but that’s how it really feels.
If you want to Like a
friend’s Plurk, all you need to do is to long press on that Plurk post and you
can choose from an array of actions, including Like. Other actions include:
- Mute
- Replurk
- Official Replurk
- Share
- Private Plurk
- Profile
- Timeline
The long press on a user’s
individual Plurk post leads to all those options, where another user can even
send them a Private Plurk, view their Profile, and even their Timeline.
If you’re Karma-obsessed,
you can view your Karma by going to the Menu via your phone’s Menu softkey
option and going to “My Profile.” Your Karma is indicated there.
PlurQ by Qiss is a fair app, but the graphics and interface as so kitschy compared to
Plurka. Thus, we’d rather recommend Plurka than PlurQ. Even iOS users would
love to have Plurka on their Apple devices, but as of now, it is only available
for the Android.
For more notes on which
browsers are best for which Plurk function, please go here.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our
series on the social networks and whether the app or just using these on your
mobile browser is better. Enjoy Facebooking, Tweeting, Google+ -ing and
Plurking for the weekend!
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Photo Credits: Crunchbase
