In an effort to simplify the process for users to check the current status of Twitter features, which go up and down at a moment's notice, the Twitter blog has added a color-coded quick look to its blog's sidebar.

Using the colors of a traffic light, each feature is assigned a color: green for working, yellow for partially working, and red for the presence of the Fail Whale. Hovering over each feature with your mouse gives you a brief blurb about the status and what the Twitter team is working on.

You have to wonder if they've hired someone who will just be updating the colors and hover text at all times. It could be a full-time job.

More news, commentary, and predictions from The Industry Standard:

• Prediction: Twitter starts serving ads stateside
• Analysis: Is Twitter worth $75 million? $150 million? How about none of the above?
• Analysis: Just 200,000 active Twitter users?
• Analysis: Twitter: Fanatical users help build the brand, but not revenue
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