Thing 2: RSS

RSS, or Really Simply Syndication, or RDF Site Summary, or whatever, is basically one of the best ways to read blogs or any other web-based content that comes out regularly.

And the best way to use RSS is to use an RSS reader (or a Feed Aggregator, or any of a number of other names). Here are a few good ones:

Google Reader
My Yahoo
Pageflakes
Netvibes

To learn about what RSS is and how to use it:




You can also use RSS in LibGuides, in AsULearn, and in tons of other places. Ask me if you need help with this.

Your assignment for Thing 2:

1. Set up an account in an RSS reader
2. Subscribe to 3 feeds (don't have to be work related)
3. Subscribe to the feed for this blog
   
4. Write a blog post on your blog telling us what feeds you chose and why and any other observations you may have about RSS

Thing 1: Blogs

You already know about what blogs are, right? But have you started your own blog yet? Why not?

If you're still unsure of what a blog is, try this simple explanation:



Once you've done that, here are a few blogs to look at to see how blogs can be useful to you:

Beyond the Job
Librarian in Black
LIS News
Planet Cataloging

Thing 1 Activities:

1. Create your own blog
2. For your first post, give an example of a blog that you find useful and say why you like it
3. E-mail Scott the URL of your blog, so he can post it on this blog

You can create your own blog for free at:
http://www.blogger.com
http://wordpress.com

Time to begin 23 Things

23 Things started at the Public Library of Charlotte several years ago and since then has found its way to every corner of the library world. The Staff Training and Development Task Force thought it was time to try 23 Things here.

So every few weeks through to next fall, we will be concentrating on a different 'thing' in our list of 23 Things. For each 'Thing' you will learn about a different technology tool or topic and be invited to learn more about it, use it, and discuss it.

For those completing Thing 1, we will be offering a certificate for a free cup of coffee. For each Thing that you complete, your name will be placed in a drawing for our grand prize. If you complete 10 things, you will have 10 chances to win.

Our grand prize, drawn at the end of the 23 Things, will be an iPad.

Stay tuned for more details on Thing 1 on Friday, October 15.