Scheduled or unscheduled, how do you satisfy a user base that is becoming increasingly dependent upon your service?  Twitter is to big to allow server and technology issues impede growth plans.  But the frequent mid-afternoon craw and now even weekend failure pose a threat to the leader.

The Internets are impatient!  And there will come a day when Facebook or another “like structured” micro blogging system takes advantage of an outtage to announce a better and different model.

Perhaps a model where real engagement drives success and not just followers. Perhaps a model that allows other users to rate content; delivery; and appropriateness of posts.  Perhaps a model that allows for separation and tuning of noise vs. signal.  Perhaps the client application like Tweetdeck builds in a bridge mode using Identi.ca or similar platform.  What’s Ping.fm working on these days…

TechCrunch covered the service problem citing others poking fun at the fail… Yes, Twitter is down. Yes, again. Yes, they’re looking into it. Yes, this is another Twitter post.

Official Twitter Status Update: May 30, 2009 7:50 PST.

Unscheduled downtime 1 hour ago

• We are investigating the problem and will update status shortly.
• Update: We have found the problem and are working to correct.
• Update: We have corrected a fatal software error. The site is back up.

via Twitter Status.

Growing pains are bound to occur.  It’s tough being the best on the block.  If I were the Twitter CEO, well… lets just stop there. LOL!