Are you looking for really useful Twitter contacts to follow? Are you interested in contacts who not only broadcast useful information but are interested in answering your questions as well? Here are some of my findings and recommendations...

Twitter.com enables Internet based social media which features near real-time interaction by its account users. I have noted that many Twitter accounts set up to represent businesses, institutions, organizations and subject matter experts treat Twitter like a pulpit. Followers will get treated to a heap of preachin' but will never get any answers to direct questions. Perhaps these users should stick to traditional one-way media.#justsayin

There are some Twitter users who realize the potential of using the interactive nature of Twitter to engage users and followers in support of their institutions, organizations, businesses and special interests. I want to help identify and list Twitter contacts you may find useful when you need a human contact willing to answer your questions.

I intend to use this article to pass along some recommended Twitter contacts I have found useful in my own areas of interest. I am also open to contacts you suggest and will add them to this listing if I find them as interactive and useful as you do. If you know of a useful interactive Twitter contact to pass along, then send me a tweet with your contact recommendation to my Twitter account - @DustyReins (Suggestions of interactive state park accounts? Museums?)

The frequency or hours each Twitter account is monitored for questions from followers will be listed (when available) so you will know when to expect a reply to your inquiries. Other helpful information about the account will be included when available. Each listing will be included in appropriate categories as they are discovered, some listings may appear in more than one category.

I have run across potentially hundreds of useful Twitter accounts that interact with followers. Even if you have to wait a day or weekend to get a reply, it is nice to know someone on the other end understands how to use a good tool. I will be adding suggestions when I can confirm each account welcomes your feedback and determine how often messages are returned.

Most of the Twitter accounts I am likely to use in an interactive mode are not staffed 24/7 sitting by to answer my questions. I have to plan my road trips and it can take a few days to sort it all out anyway. Some of the contacts listed below may only be able to answer in a day or three and sure as heck won't be around during holidays and days of their pickin'. But at least they do their best to reply and I hope to be better informed before my next trip.