"without alienating the huge user base on which any viable monetizing plan must depend." See, I think you've completely missed the point with twitter not monet

"without alienating the huge user base on which any viable monetizing plan must depend." See, I think you've completely missed the point with twitter not monetising currently. They're doing small, consistent UI changes, easing users into the potential ad-supported experience. Twitter's users barely flinched when Twitter implemented the "ads" on the web UI on the right. Now with the leaked documents, it's pretty clear where Twitter is going - Real Time search. One would expect some sort of adwords clone will be implemented. Just because they're not monetising right now, doesn't mean there is no revenue plan being tossed around inside Twitter HQ. I'm not a betting man, but I'd lay money on it.