Part #3: RSS Feeds

I learned that using an RSS feed is very efficient.

There are three methods of adding RSS feeds:

1. "If you already know the address of the feed you want to subscribe to, you can just click the Add Subscriptions link and paste the address in the text field that appears"

2. "Use the google directory for an easy way to find and add feeds"

3. "Find your own feeds" (http://www.google.com/support/reader/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=69968)

Using an RSS reading rather than visiting each website individually can save you a lot of time.

Initially it may take a bit of time to add the RSS feeds, but overall you save time as you do not need to visit each site individually. Additionally, sometimes you may visit a site and find out that nothing has been updated.

This technology is useful to me everyday in my current job. In my current job I need to be aware of companies that are growing or expanding. I track their websites as they often post/publish news when they are expanding. This is important to me, as when companies expand, they often need to hire additional workers, and in my role I promote these new openings to students. Using an RSS reader saves me a lot of time as it would be nearly impossible to check each of the websites individually. Also, using an RSS reader ensures that I don't accidentally miss checking a website.

A web-based RSS reader may be better than a desktop RSS reader as it does not require the computer to be on and connected to the internet in order to update the feeds. But rather, it does this automatically through the "cloud". In this way, you do not need to wait for all your feeds to be loaded - it is much faster method.

Web based - easier sharing with friends

Part #2: Twitter

Twitter Account: danielledvrs

... check out my Twitter account through the Twitter gadget on the sidebar =>

I learned that it is difficult to fit your "text" into 140 characters or less. I am used to having long sentences and Twitter forces its users to find creative shortforms. I also learned that you should try to keep your posts under 100 characters. This allows other users to retweet your tweets without having the ending of your tweet cut-off.

It is also sometimes difficult on Twitter to identify which users you would like to follow. I found that some users that I thought I wanted to follow actually tweeted too frequently and there tweets were not of interest to me. Additionally, some users that I follow rarely tweet.

By posting information on Twitter about your blog you can use your Twitter account to promote your blog and vice versa. This is a great tool to allow you to build your followers on Twitter and subscribers to your blog.

It is different from blogging as on Twitter you can only post short blasts of information. On blogger you are able to develop and expand your thoughts. Twitter is a great tool for making a very short statement or for promoting your ideas (through hashtags). Blogging allows the user to expand your thoughts. You can also enable comments which would allow for interaction between readers and the author of the post.

Part #1: Blogging

Hey Everyone!

Welcome to my new blog!

I started using blogger.com as the host site for my new blog. I have found this site quite easy to use. There are many aspects of the blog which the user can edit. This makes the blog very easy to brand. I did have some difficulty where my sidebar gadgets would go beyond the boundaries of my blog. I am using Google Chrome so I will see if this is due to a Browser issue. Otherwise, I will look into fine tuning some settings to resolve the issue. Adding pictures and video's into the blog is very easy. It is also helpful that blogger.com is tied to your Google account as it eliminates the process or registering for the site and just makes the process that much smoother. Overall, I would recommend blogger.com to users looking to create their own blog. I think blogging is very important as it allows users a medium to express themselves and their own opinions. Typically the news is governed by what the government and social pressure expects them to report. Blogging allows anyone to post their own opinions and share them. It also provides an opportunity for other users to comment and discuss the opinions that have been shared. Additionally, blogging is a very fast - posts can be updated/uploaded in a matter of minutes. Therefore, the availability of information is much faster. If an event occurred, for example, at 7pm on Monday evening, a user could have a blog post up by the following day. However, in traditional media (newspapers, magazines) it could be up to two days before the information is published. The disadvantages of blogging include the technology required. Only those individuals with computers and/or the internet have the availability of blogs. In remote area's of Canada - individuals may not have accessibility to the Internet - thus magazines and newspapers are more relevant.

I also looked at some other blogs for reference when creating my own blog.

Example #1:

Source

I used this blog as I follow this blog already. I am acquainted with "Val" who publishes this blog. I find this blog intriguing as it documents her trip to Puerto Rico. I found it useful as I enjoy

travelling. She gives a very accurate documentation of her trip and also provides insight and tips for others who may visit Puerto Rico. It is useful as it gives practical, real advise for those travelling rather than a 'tourist' perspective.

Example #2:

Source

I used this blog as an example because it provides relevant career information. I am currently employed in the Career Centre at Trent and I see myself continuing to work in this area in the future. One of the aspects of my job may include helping others (who are just graduating from university) to land a career in the industry of their choice. In order to do this I must be well informed so that I can inform others. This blog is an excellent resource that I can use and refer others to as well. It provides relevant information and information that is easy to read and understand.

Example #3:

Source

I used this blog as an example for many reasons. First, it is extremely relevant as it contains information about Peterborough, ON. Secondly, the blog is updated regularly (usually daily). The posts usually include various types of media including pictures and videos. The blog also covers many different perspectives ranging from community events, public issues to things such as Economic Development in Peterborough. It is extremely useful for individuals looking for information about Peterborough and to keep current with events and issues occurring within the City. In the summer, for example, they had a community member post an article on the best beaches in Peterborough County.