I like TweetDeck for several reasons:

I use a large wide screen monitor, and when I maximize TweetDeck it feels like I have some sort of communication command center. I like to let it completely take over my screen. The column sizes and formatting of TweetDeck crams a lot of info on my screen at the same time, so I can quickly scan everything with minimal scrolling. For me, this makes it easier to follow lots of people and still watch a couple of active searches. (I tend to either be focusing on Twitter or ignore it; I don't typically work on stuff and leave it open beside my other windows.)

TweetDeck makes it easy to do a lot of things with a single button (the gears button):
*follow and unfollow
*view a user profile
*reply to all people mentioned in a tweet
* perform a search
*manipulate group membership
*favorite a tweet
*email a tweet
*translate a tweet into English
*Mark a tweet as read (or even delete it from your list).
*extract the link from a tweet and add it to your tweet/status bar
*block a user
*report a tweet as spam AND block the user

TweetDeck also has a few other things that I didn't notice in Twhirl (older version):
*recent hashtag button to auto-insert your recently used tags into a tweet
*1-click access to trends for any column
*Access to Trends/Local Trends via TwitScoop
*Counter to track how many times you are mentioned (if you even care)
*An iPhone version that can sync with the desktop version

I also really like TweetDeck's dark background with light text. This is how I usually customize applications whenever possible because it is easier on my eyes. I feel like I'm looking into a light bulb when I spend a lot of time reading on a white background, even though that seems to be the de facto standard.

I think what it comes down to is how you want to use Twitter:

If you want a "command center" style of view and are willing to give TweetDeck a lot of screen real estate and RAM, go with it.

If you want a smaller IM-like view or access to some of the specific features that Twhirl has and TweetDeck lacks (Ping.fm, Jaiku and spell check), choose Twhirl.

PS:
I prefer TweetDeck over Seesmic too. It can do more with fewer clicks, is easier to add people to groups, shows more tweets in the same amount of column length/height, and gives access to trends and translation.
Source(s):
Extensive use of multiple versions of TweetDeck, and a short trial use of Twhirl and Seesmic

Asker's Rating:

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