Friday, 5 October 2007

Week 4: RSS & Newsreaders continued...

#9 Finding Feeds
I have played with all of the recommended searching tools; Feedster, Topix.net, Google Blog Search & Technorati. Feedster I found most challenging, mainly because my search results seemed to provide page upon page of irrelevant results, no matter how much I tried to limit my search requests. Possibly more play time is required on this tool. Otherwise, I liked the look and feel and functionality of Topix.net, Google Blog Search and Technorati. (I couldn't resist linking my blog to Technorati).

Some of the Library related feeds I located using the aforementioned searching tools include:

LISnews.org Public Library news (via Topix.net)
librariesinteract.info (with Google Blog Search)
Tame the Web: Libraries & Technology (* see note below)(through Technorati)

Other feeds, like iLibrarian and ResourceShelf I found simply by clicking on the 'related feeds' link when adding RSS subscriptions to my Bloglines account.

I also looked at the Ebsco database and have a clear understanding of how a search request RSS feed can become a specific subject alert or SDI (a selected dissemination of information - possibly old library and information management language?).

Recommended readings (or is that blogging?) - * Tame the Web and other blogs, like LibraryCrunch produced by Michael Stephens and Michael Casey are worth a look, especially in relation to this program and to gain a greater incite into how Web 2.0 technologies do and can influence the provision of library services. Happy reading.

All feeds discussed are located in my blogroll.

Finally, I just wanted to report that I was lucky enough to be able to reinforce my own learning this week by assisting a colleague subscribe to an RSS feed and give them tips on how to manipulate their Blog template.

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