Week 6: Tagging, Folksonomies & Technorati continues..

#14 Getting not-so-technical with Technorati
After playing with Technorati for some time, I believe I have a fuller understanding of what this tool can do; thus its usefulness in locating a myriad of information and opinions in the blogosphere.

The Technorati discovery exercises were an interesting way to explore this tool. Keyword searching blog posts for Learning 2.0, versus post tags and Blog topics on this subject, demonstrated the difference between result outcomes, providing evidence of the specific searching capability of this tool.

The Popular Blogs feature clearly shows the social networking element of Technorati in that members are linking blogs to their favourites, thereby providing measurable interest. Plus searching specific URLs enables you to link into other members' favourites and tags (like del.icio.us). Top Searches I find a little ordinary, but then gossip on Britney Spears seemed to be the order of the day while I was playing with this tool.

Having become a Technorati member and previously claimed my learning blog, the screen display when I sign-in is more personalised listing my favourites and my blog, a feature I quite like. After adding a few tags to my blog posts I pinged Technorati to ensure these updates were picked up. I've also ensured that pinging is enabled under Settings in Blogger so future post tagging is linked back to Technorati. The reason for doing this? To get my blog, posts and ultimately my learning 2.0 feedback out there... into the blogosphere!

Technorati tags tagging blogs search engine

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.

Technorati tags RSS feeds library 2.0 Technorati