When someone follows you on Twitter, it’s possible to then Tweet him/her back with an automated, direct message (DM) response. There are different schools of thought on whether this is a good practice, and it’s an issue well worth considering - an automated response, if sent, is the first impression you make on a new follower.

Tweet Later, the auto responder service that I used, certainly makes it easy. Enter your auto response DM, make a couple clicks, and you’re good to go. The service encourages you to make your DM a simple greeting or a non-promotional message focused on the follower. Good advice.

For about six months I used an auto-DM, but eventually decided it ditch it. My reasons -

• Twitter users are amazingly different. A one-size fits all auto-DM was beyond my ability to write.
• People rarely replied to my auto-DM
• I rarely reply to or even read auto-DMs sent to me
• Even though sending the right kind of auto-DM is a polite gesture, I sensed its value is washed away in the flood of far more meaningful Tweeting.

Is it worth responding individually every time someone follows you? Probably, but I’m hoping someone does a TwiTip on Twitter time management, because I don’t know where I’d find the time to do it.

If you decide to auto-DM …

• Do not try to promote yourself or sell something. Twitter is not a direct mail marketing model. You can’t afford to tick off 97 people to get 3 orders. The negative Tweet backlash will kill your credibility.
• Consider who is likely to follow you. If you use Twitter for personal and business chat, your message needs to appeal to everyone.
• Use a little restraint. Don’t say, “I’m SURE we’re going to become lifelong friends!!” when you obviously don’t have the slightest idea who you’re talking to.
• Think about why you are sending it. In my case, it was simply to be polite. If you’re using the DM to spark conversation or cultivate a relationship, there are better ways.

Microsoft still isn't making any promises, but it doesn't think you'll have to wait until January to buy a PC running Windows 7

At the Microsoft TechEd conference now taking place in Los Angeles, Microsoft senior vice president Bill Veghte said: ""We're tracking well to deliver Windows 7 in time for holiday availability based on the groundswell of feedback we received from the partner ecosystem, customers and through our own internal testing from pre-beta to now," reports the Wall Street Journal. 

Previous statements have been limited to "within three years of Vista" -- and that was held back so as to miss the Christmas shopping season. (Not every PC manufacturer would have been able to ship before Christmas, which was seen as not providing a level playing field. However, Microsoft did make Vista available to businesses in November 2006.)

Veghte also said that "large customers including Del Monte Foods and window maker Pella Corp planned to deploy Windows 7 early". Companies typically wait until the first Service Pack appears after 12-18 months, since this provides some assurance that major bugs have been shaken out.

Windows watchers have long assumed that Windows 7 will ship this year, with some estimates much earlier than others. That's reasonable based on the quality of the public beta code and the fact that Microsoft has said there will only be one RC (release candidate) version, not two or three.

Microsoft, however, always repeats the "ship when ready" mantra, partly because the final stages are beyond its control. It depends on the PC manufacturers to sort out their own Windows 7 installations and get PCs into the retail channels.

The next important date to be announced will be the "Windows 7 free" date: Microsoft tells customers that it will provide a "free" (plus shipping costs) upgrade to Windows 7 for anyone who buys a PC after a certain date, to encourage them to buy rather than wait.

Frankly, it should make that date now. In fact, it would be a great idea to offer Windows 7 to everyone who ever bought a Vista PC, but it's not going to happen. It would enrage the shareholders who are hoping Windows 7 will kick off an upgrade cycle that is going to boost the Windows Client division's declining profits.

Update: Microsoft can do RC to RTM in two months, and OEMs can do RTM to the shelves in two months, so the earliest date for Windows 7 would be around September 1. If Microsoft assumed three months instead of two (because it's not rushing) then it could still make November 1. That makes the date Acer gave -- Oct 23rd -- plausible. It could be earlier, but Ed Bott tells me the US holiday shopping season starts by November 1, so it probably won't be later. Unless something goes wrong.

There are a huge number of computer games these days - and when it comes to choosing good computer kids games it's time to become pretty picky. It's important to find games that are fun and challenging, but also it's important to find games that do not have inappropriate themes or content for kids.

Here is a list of some great computer kids games for 2009 - any of them are great for extensive game play, and are mentally challenging and - oh yes, they're fun too:

1. Nancy Drew: The Haunting of Castle Malloy - There are a good number of Nancy Drew computer games, this one is the most popular of them for the year. The game involves the disappearance of a groom that is supposed to show up at his wedding in the castle. Players work to solve the mystery and there are a number of ghostly surprises along the way. Fun stuff - especially for Nancy Drew fans.

2. The World of Goo - What a strange name! And - it is a bit of a strange game as well but is also great fun. The "goo gobs" have personalities and are used to build structures that are necessary to win any of the games. Pretty much unlimited game play with this one, and the challenges are quite a bit of fun.

3. Monopoly Here and Now - Seventy years and counting - Monopoly is still a mainstay in the game closet of any household. This is based on the original Monopoly game but has a fun and modern twist to it to make it much more interesting. This one is a favorite of adults as well.

4. Crazy Machines 2 - This is basically a mind puzzle game - working out how to build contraptions to solve problems. It's quite interesting and fun - and it really gets you thinking! Practically unlimited ways to solve any of the problems, so the game play is unlimited as well.

5. SimCity 4 Deluxe Edition - Although this is more of a game for teens and adults, some older kids would enjoy this as well. This version in the lineup of SimCity games is the best yet, allowing players to combine cities that they have built into a huge metropolis and play within it. If you're at all interested in SimCity, you will love this game.

The computer kids games listed above are not geared toward very young children, but are perfect games for kids around 10 and older.