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Twitter, a micro-blogging service that allows users to send out 140-character messages, often called tweets, has become incredibly popular since its debut in 2006. By last year, it had over 300 million users. The company, which is based in San Francisco, also has plenty of local users including local celebrities and those regular folks whose San Francisco-related tweets are eagerly read by fans.

If you are new to Twitter, here are some Twitter conventions to learn: a person’s username, or handle, is designated with the @ sign. To respond to someone else, just include their handle at the beginning of your tweet. Tags are used to indicate a subject and can be tracked across users and tweets, and are indicated with the # sign. If you have a Twitter account, you can retweet or repost someone else’s tweet, which is indicated with RT.

@craignewmark

What is the nuttiest thing you've seen a squirrel do? #Squirrels4Good

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  (@craignewmark) April 25, 2012

Craig Newmark, founder of the eponymous Craigslist website, tweets about San Francisco happenings, issues relating to Craigslist and its policies and his new nonprofit Craigconnects. This newest invention is set to use technology for the human good, working with veterans and nonprofits to increase open government. His tweets will keep you the most up-to-date with the technological sector of news.

@timoreilly

Add me to this list of supporters of the #DATA act. 1.usa.gov/IMsKlz Lots of talk about gov waste, this does something about it

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Tim O'Reilly (@timoreilly) April 23, 2012

O’Reilly Media, founded by Tim O’Reilly, publishes some of the most used and most important computer and technology books in the world. O’Reilly’s books and web content are a mainstay in Silicon Valley. CEO Tim O’Reilly tweets about technology and local tech events and issues, and keeps his finger on the pulse of the tech industry in the Bay Area.

Other tech twitterers to follow: @ev, @Jay_Nath.

Related: San Francisco Mayor Pledges To Start Tweeting To Keep Twitter Around

@gavinnewsom

Did u know that 2day marks how far into 2012 women must work 2 earn as much as men earned in 2011? Time 2 bridge the gap #EqualPayDay

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Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) April 17, 2012

Former San Francisco mayor and now Lieutenant Governor of California, Gavin Newsom is a frequent user of social media. He may tweet less often now that he’s in Sacramento, but Newsom is still worth following to find out the skinny from a political insider.

@KCBSNews

Several arrests in downtown SF Occupy march outside Wells Fargo meeting. Live reports twice an hour on 740AM & 106.9FM cbsloc.al/Id19xr

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KCBS 740 AM/106.9 FM (@KCBSNews) April 24, 2012

There are many news organizations in the Bay Area with twitter accounts, but KCBS, the Bay Area’s only all-news radio station, does a great job with theirs. There’s a focus on local news, weather and traffic/transit reports, but national and international news of importance is also frequently mentioned. If you want to keep up with breaking news without taking much time, following this twitter account is a great option. If you’d just like to keep track of traffic reports, KCBS has a traffic-only twitter account at @kcbstraffic.

Other news and local info twitterers to follow: @CBSSF, @sfcommunitynews, @sfgate, @Mercnews, @insidebayarea.

@Burnzie88

Just wanted to thank the amazing shark fans this year! Was awesome wearing the teal in the tank! #ThankYouFans

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Brent Burns (@Burnzie88) April 25, 2012

Brent Burns currently plays for the San Jose Sharks hockey team and entertains his audience of twitter followers with a combination of enthusiasm, humor and insider information on hockey and the Sharks. If this icy sport is one of your favorites, then this twitter feed should be one of your bookmarks.

Other Bay Area sports-related twitterers to follow: @Athletics, @SFGiants, @49ers, @goldenstate.

@SFist

7 Reasons Not Be At Work On This Gorgeous Day goo.gl/1u07U

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  (@SFist) April 20, 2012

The SFist website is part news site, part blog, part exploration of local culture, and this twitter account follows suit. If you’re interested in San Francisco restaurants and the food scene, parenting around the Bay Area or music and the arts, @SFist read-through is just your ticket.

Other arts, culture and food twitterers to follow: @sfstation, @EdibleSF, @SFoodie,

Related: SEIU Opposes San Francisco’s Twitter-Tax Deal