Thing #8 - RSS

I checked out google Reader and Bloglines. I've been using Bloglines for about a week now. Since Google Reader and BLoglines are basically the same thing I chose to use BLoglines becasue I already had an account set up from last year's staff development. I see the convenience of using the reader because you don't have to go to each site/blog to check for updates - the updates come to you. The biggest benefit is the convenience of allowing the RSS to search the web for you, however, the problem for me is remembering to check bloglines for new feeds.

In setting up Bloglines last year we had access to hundreds of sites and I knew there was no way I would look at all of it, so I deleted the ones that didn't interest me, kept the ones I liked and added some new ones. At first, I had some difficulty adding new sites. I tried cutting and pasting addresses into the subscribe box and I couldn't make it work. Once I added the link to my bookmarks I found it so much easier. All you have to do is go to the site you want to add, click the bookmarked link to subscribe and then when the name appears, check the box next to it and click subscribe at the bottom. The bookmark link to subscribe makes it so much easier to add sites to your bloglines account. However, I had to bookmark the subscribe link on each computer that I have been using.

I've been trying to think of ways to use this in the library and I honestly do not see myself using it with the kids. I think it is best used for me professionally because I can read about new updates in technology or library related areas and then share or use the info as appropriate.