It's taken a once-in-a-lifetime event to get me to do something I said I'd never do.
Normally, that's worth a shrug and (hopefully) a follow. But I'm guessing longtime readers of The Buffalo News and Sabres Edge will remember I've made a few disparaging remarks about the Website through the years. (Just Google "John Vogl twitter" and you'll be transported to discussions of hip waders, anti-vomit pills and a word that rhymes with Reese's.)
So, I feel an explanation is in order.
The Sabres are leaving for Europe on Saturday, and only three media folks are going. Two already deliver their news via Twitter. After much urging from my friend and Executive Sports Editor Lisa Wilson, I began to agree that all three should have a Twitter account. Then, after a long chat today with Twitter-user Tim Graham, another great friend I consider the best reporter I've ever been around, I decided to sign up.
As you no doubt know, the world of Twitter has continued through a rapid evolution. It's a necessary site to find news, with journalists everywhere posting to Twitter before their own newspapers or Websites. It's almost unacceptable to not be on it.
So, with that, I'm in.
There are still many things I find appalling about the site. The discourse tends toward bitterness and negativity. The best quote I've ever heard about Twitter was this: "When someone is rude and full of complaints at work, we avoid them. When they're rude and full of complaints on Twitter, we follow them." I'm a positive-thinking guy with a dream job and a great life. I have little desire to be dragged into muck that Twitter can become.
But, the evolution of the site's newsworthiness coupled with the chance to bring readers (and followers) an exclusive look at the Sabres' trip to Europe outweighs the negatives. See you at Twitter.com/BuffNewsVogl.
---John Vogl
