Microblogging(微博) appeared in 2006 and has moved from its early, perceived limitations to grow in popularity and become a powerful platform for sharing useful information and knowledge. 51. There are over 100 microblogging services in operation, with some of the better-known services being Twitter, Plurk and Tumblr. 　　52. The original use for microblogging was to allow people to broadcast what they were doing at any point in time, for example "Having coffee with Jane" or" Caught in traffic on my way to work". Although this is still a major use for microblogging, it has developed into a much more complex array of communications. People use microblogging platforms to share and seek information but in 140- 200 characters. 　　53. This may be in the form of broadcasting what they are thinking; asking for support or advice;sharing resources;or discussion with others. 　　54. Microblogging, and other forms of social media, have had an impact as profound as the printing press. The printing press changed distribution of, and access to, information for all time, giving widespread access to information that was previously unavailable to the majority of the population. Once people had this access they demanded more and we have seen this thirst for information ever since Microblogging applications have extended this access even further by enabling people to create and distribute information as opposed to being just consumers of information that is distributed and "controlled" by others. 　　It is important to understand how and whymicroblogging is being used. 55. This understanding will enable us to further develop and enhance microblogging tools into useful collaborative spaces.

Microblogging, and other forms of social media, have had an impact as profound as the printing press. The printing press changed distribution of, and access to, information for all time, giving widespread access to information that was previously unavailable to the majority of the population.