Twitter Not Addressing Follow Glitch

UPDATE 8/10/09 Seems obvious from increasing notes to the link below that the problem is widespread still and, worse, that Twitter has either closed tickets submitted with no action or simply not responded. Going into a weekend, that is not too swift. Though Twitter is free it clearly depends heavily on its users for its full value. I am tempted to suggest that people send messages @ev (the CEO of Twitter, perhaps with a copy @ your most favored news outlet).

UPDATE 8/9/09 AM Randall’s long comment below should be read as context for this post. I have not yet tried to follow today, but I am definitely not convinced that the problem is solved. As to what Twitter is or is not doing to address it, I am also at a loss. Please add comments that indicate if you are having success or to offer insight on the problem.

EARLIER UPDATE: Still able to follow but people are still reporting a problem.

EARLIEST UPDATE: Just followed ONE person successfully. Please report your experience in a comment. When I get reports from a total of three I will take the “not” out of the title.

Twitter has been receiving complaints from many users that they are unable to follow persons whose updates they wish to include among those they regularly read.

CLICK HERE TO READ TWITTER USERS ON PROBLEMS OF FOLLOWING

It is hard to imagine all the problems Twitter would have as a fundamentally user-driven utility with milions and millions of members. That it has taken more than a week for Twitter to address this problem is probably symptomatic of growing pains.

In any case I am among those who plays by the rules and cannot perform this basic action. I figure the best I can do is flag the problem and see if the Web can work some magic and elicit a response. I will happily update when that moment comes.