Navigation:
I think the navigation will be intuitive for the most part if readers are used to Websites that use a similar format. My concern however, is for those who do not use social media Websites. A quick summary of the purpose and simple set of directions in the “What are you doing” div would be a great way to clarify for those unfamiliar with Twitter. That div’s central location is the first thing you see, making it the ideal place for directions. In addition, readers would know that this is a pre-composed Twitter page. Writing it as though the viewer is a participant would do two things at once: 1) explain the why/how for the confused and 2) illustrate how readers of Twitters become a part of a larger discussion.
You seem to have a lot of navigation options mushed together at the bottom. A simple visual separator like a vertical line might clarify.
Making the images of the authors into links would be helpful as well, though I have not been involved enough in Twitter to know if such a choice would be true to the format. I am, by nature, an image clicker and do not know how true this is of other readers.
A clear, easy-to-find Works Cited would be wonderful; it will not only back up what you have to say in central location, it would also provide them with additional reading if this composition piques their interest. I know you are working on that and look forward to seeing where it takes me! Links within the Twitter conversation will add to this too.
Choices: The design choices are logical and clearly there is a purpose. I understand that this is a rough draft, but I get a sense of what you are trying to say, even if it is jumbled in its present state. Though I understand the 140 character limit, there were moments when I found myself wishing you could say more. Will readers who are not used to a 140 character limit adjust to it the format if it’s less jumbled?
Credibility: I think the limited nature of the Twitter layout makes this difficult to do. I see and About at the bottom of the page. If it will contain a summary of conclusions and even a little more detail about why you decided to examine Twitter, I would be more satisfied. I think if readers understand that you all come from different disciplines, but found this a valuable topic as a group—essentially a hail to the cross-disciplinary reasons—it would have (for lack of a better word) more “oomph”. Then again, maybe I’m just nosey!
Appreciation: Yes, yes I do appreciate this! My overall first impression is that this is well on its way to be a cleverly constructed composition. I like the visual layout and appreciate that it looks like Twitter, while being about Twitter, and that it’s written as a Twitter.
