RSS -- Really Simple Syndication

RSS is a free web tool available on some websites. RSS acts like a mailer that forwards new or updated website content. This content is often limited to specific story areas. This forwarded material is called a "feed". There are many articles online regarding RSS. Here's one by PCmagazine, RSS: The Web at Your Fingertips, September 28 2005.

Here's a YouTube clip on RSS. Enjoy!

A RSS reader is needed to receive these feeds. Bloglines is a free RSS reader that allows you to select the feeds you want to receive; it collects those feeds, and then displays them to you on your own bloglines website.

Here's a YouTube clip on Blogging. Have Fun!



I like that RSS and Bloglines let you stay abreast of many websites without visiting each site individually. For a quick overview, I can run through the headlines, or for more depth, I can read entire articles. I sometimes want to experience the feel, and the added features, of the source website; so I was happy to see that I can click an article title and reach the site from where the story was sent.

I am looking forward to adding podcasts to my feeds.

It would not be surprising to find that patrons would enjoy daily feeds on new materials in their areas of interest.

On a Cloudy Day

You might have seen this odd list of words on Flickr.

This list is called a Tag Cloud, a Tag Crowd, or a Data Cloud. Items are in A-Z alphabetical order, and font size shows popularity. You can see Flickr's most current list at Explore/Tags.

You can also create your own Tag Clouds by using free tools available on the Internet. Some of these are listed in Tag Cloud Tools and Articles, Wikipedia 2008.

I used a tool called Tag Crowd, to create Tag Clouds of the speeches that Hillary Clinton, John McCain, and Barack Obama gave on 03 June 2008, when Obama became the presumptive presidential nominee of the Democratic Party.

I set the parameters of Tag Crowd to a max of 25 words, each appearing a mininum of 5x. There are more options. You can see them at Tag Crowd. Enjoy the results!

H i l l a r y   C l i n t o n

J o h n   M c C a i n

B a r a c k   O b a m a

Mayan Calendar Stone

P3122748, originally uploaded by mike 23.

The Mayan Calendar is often associated with December 21, 2012.

This date is believed to mark the beginning of a new period in human history.

It is said that the new peroid will be ushered in by apocalyptic changes of a physical, mental, emotional, and/or spiritual nature.

Curious?

Read The Final Days cover story for The NewYorkTimes Magazine, 1 July 2007.

Mayan Calendar Stone Rings

Mayan Calendar
Originally uploaded by BradOfAnnArbor

Startgate?













Stargate SG-1

Mayan Calendar Stone Ring Glyphs

Mayan Calendar
Originally uploaded by Rich Renomeron

Stargate Glyphs?












Stargate SG-1 Glyphs

This is the VentureOne. A three wheeled ride that moves like small car with the feel of a motorcycle. It's a concept car that's projected to have 100mpg, from 0 - 60 in 7 secs, and top speeds of over 100mph. Models will include Hybrid Flex Fuel models and an All Electric Version. The All Electric Version will sport 75+ mph speeds and a 120 mile range on a single charge.

See VentureOne's website at FlyTheRoad . Or, checkout this short clip from YouTube.

What's the Use?

Another 23 things classic classroom type question -- with my vintage style response:

For your second post share your ideas on how blogging can be used in libraries.

What's the Use?

It can little be disputed that there are many ways in which blogs may serve to promote an increased benefit to the public regarding that well known repository of knowledge and amusements: the public library. There may be blogs that service interest in areas that please the public imagination: mysteries, romance, science fiction, general fiction, historical novels and more. There may be blogs that entertain and inform the general populace regarding varied topics: the paranormal, religion, science, business, health, cooking, crafts, history, art, biography and so on. There may be DVD and CD blogs for those for whom the moving image or the sound of the human voice in word or song drives their interests. And, there may be blogs announcing book and library events for those who take pleasure in the company of their fellows. Patron replies, if enabled on the blog, might be a rich source of ideas and suggestions and hence of benefit to public libraries. Indeed, so rich are the possible areas that may be blogged with benefit to public libraries that we will stop here and cast for other possible areas of library blogging in addition to those open to viewing by the general populace.

Internal blogs for each department of the library relating to their own special interests: cataloguing, acquisitions, reference, administration, and more, might well prove to be a source of continual erudition, bemusement, and edification.

There is little to refute the idea that blogs can help libraries become more dynamic and integrated institutions, especially when ideas are followed through and implemented. Nor, is it difficult to see that blogs can help bring patrons more access and awareness of growing resources and opportunities: new databases, classes, most recent innovations, and so forth. Still, the implementation of blogs rests on the efforts of those who will not merely bother themselves to enjoy a blog, but who will also devote themselves to the creation of blogs, to the work, and to the dedication that maintenance of quality demands.