Thing 28, Google Reader

Google Reader



I did not know that Google at an RSS reader. I like that as it means one less username/password to set up and memorize. I did set up a Bloglines account first in a RSS class and revisited it in the O What a Geek program. I don't check it regularly. I can't recall the username/password although I know where I can find that information.

So in that respect the Google Reader, as I already use Blogger and Gmail is easier to use. Which of course is one of the things that Google excels at -- making things easier for all of us. So we'll use it. I set up an account -- it was very easy. I added a bunch of cooking related blogs (NYT Bitman, Epicurious and the Bento Box one) and then went back and added NE Learns 2.0 and a few participants blogs.

I went and found my Bloglines account info and followed the instruction to upload those feeds. It was pretty straight forward. I didn't see straight away how to get rid of that account as I don't see the need for two such things.

I put in a widget on my blog to share a reader feed (for a Bento Box recipe).

What I like about Google Reader. Easy to remember password. Pretty easy to navigate/familiar layout and navigation.

What I don't like about Google Reader. Stalkerish aspects -- follow people?!? The Google wants you on all these things and then to connect them together. Not sure I want to do that -- and I don't have to but it seems a bit creepy. Bland layout. Still have to log in and check on things.

Overall what I have found best for keeping up with feeds is www.tabbloid.com Here I set up a bunch of cataloging blogs and I get a weekly pdf of the feeds sent to my email. I can scan through them and see what I want to read further. The convenience here outweighs anything else.

Generally I like Google Reader better than Bloglines but it is still another website to check -- better than checking each website individually but I prefer to use tabbloid for the professional blogs I really want to keep up with.

Nebraska Learns 2.0 Thing 24

Twitter Search. I searched for Omaha Public Library -- there were just a few hits for us. Not sure if that is good. Only one was from an actual person and it was posted 17 days ago. It was positive (he loves us which is great). Another, more recent one, was about our new downloadable video from Overdrive from a Twitter Account that promotes such thing -- probably Overdrive. Perhaps we should be using Twitter to promote the library more. I have a Twitter account, and have had it for a few years. but have not found it to be that great a thing. Perhaps it is because I am using Facebook more of late.


Google Alerts was much more fruitful -- I did a comprehensive search. Some of the hits were false but there was one which led to a blog/webpage for single parents in Omaha which listed free activities in Omaha and mentioned our storytimes. I posted a comment thanking her for the mention and pointing out our Summer Reading Program which has free activities, prizes and coupons and the kick-off party on May 31st. I'll see if I get a response to that. As of May 28, no response.

Twitter is the hot thing of late. It does seem to be something we should be using but I have yet to work out how. Perhaps some of the things we are doing on Facebook -- with invites and alerts -- could also be done in Twitter. But I am there are other things that could be done too, things that would keep people engaged and the library in their mind. Some of the difficulties are working out what to do, finding time to do it and making it a priority. It would be worthwhile exploring.

The aspect of this assignment which had us post on response definitely put me outside of my comfort zone I am most comfortable as a cyber lurker. I don't care to put myself out there. After all, why should anyone want to listen to me? However, I will promote the library in person so why shouldn't I virtually? This has made me think more about why I am not comfortable posting on blogs, etc. on the Internet and how to do this to promote the library.