Extra Extra! Tweet all about it!

Site Managers who want to display a Twitter feed on their site can use the Twitter Pull feature to create a block that will display an embedded timeline of tweets.

Note: This feature is available to Site Managers with the Beta Tester role. However, even with the role in place, if you would like to start using the Twitter functionality on your site, you must first submit a request to the IT Service Desk. This only needs to be done once. In order for the Twitter module to work on your site, CCS must first authenticate your site and this will allow you to pull in tweets from Twitter.

The feed can display tweets associated with:

• an account
• one or more hashtags
• one or more search terms

Create the Twitter Block

1. Click Add block on the shortcuts menu
2. Click to select Twitter Pull

3. The following fields will be available for you to fill out:

• Label: Enter the name of the block that will appear on the Block Administration page.
• Title (optional): Enter a title for the block.
• Options:
  • Twitter Key:  Enter one type of key in this field:
    • Username: Only one username can be entered per feed, e.g., @McGillU. If more than one feed is desired, create another block.
    • Hashtags: Multiple hashtags separated by a comma can be entered. However, the feed will only display tweets containing ALL the hashtags specified. Tweets containing only one or some of the hashtags will be excluded.
    • Search keywords: Keywords separated by a comma can be entered. However, the feed will only display tweets containing ALL the keywords specified. Tweets containing only one or some of the keywords will be excluded.
    • Note: Only one type of key can be entered in this field. Do not combine different types of keys. For example, do not enter a username and hashtags in the same field. Create separate blocks if you want to display feeds reflecting more than one type of key.
  • Number of items: Select the maximum number of tweets that you want displayed in the block. Note: The number of tweets actually displayed may be less than the number selected, but will never be more than the number selected. This is because the count includes any retweets (that do not get displayed) and any tweets that may have been suspended or deleted. Workaround to display retweets: instead of simply clicking the button to retweet, use the “quote tweet” option instead to add a comment about the tweet such as “A must read!” or something appropriate to the context. This creates the tweet from your account so that it will display in the feed.
• View Mode: Selecting Full, Half, or Third width will yield the same result.  Tokens mode should not be used.

4. Click Save.

Configure the Twitter Block

To place the block on your page, from the Administration toolbar, click Structure > Blocks. Follow the instructions on configuring a block in the WMS.

Then go to the page where you placed your Twitter block and you should see the timeline of Tweets.

Edit/Delete the Twitter Block

1. Go to the page where you placed the block and hover over the top right corner until the gear icon appears and click Edit Block.

2. Make your changes and click Save when you are done.