RSS - Really Simple Syndication

Many years ago, when I was still learning the ins and outs of the Internet, Yahoo.com was the premier search engine for me. I had a "My Yahoo," page and it worked really well. I enjoyed seeing the daily news and updates that I was interested in. I still surfed the web for more information - but it kept me updated! When Google came around, I switched my loyalties.

Through Google, I created my own news aggregator. It was and still is wonderful! It searches for stories on the following items for me: Local news for my city and state, Machinists, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, US Airways, AirTran, Delta, and Alaska Airlines. I search for the airlines because they are all (except AirTran and Delta) airlines in my Local Lodge. I want to be up-to-date on anything at our airlines. Station closures, possible openings and hirings, just basic information that can help us through our different 'struggles.'

Now, through the most recent assignment, I have advanced to the Google Reader. I am still learning the best way to utilize the reader and most importantly, to share it with my classmates (or anyone else interested in what I'm interested in). I've had a gmail account for almost four years and I'm still enjoying the Google brand and the inner workings of it. The Reader encouraged me to create a Google profile (thought I had one) and to describe certain things about myself. So, I gave that a go. 

Now? I still can't quite figure out how to share my Reader list. And that is rather frustrating. The good thing is that while I was creating a Google profile, it showed linking to PicassaWeb. (Good to note for an upcoming lesson) 

After I created my Reader, with profile, I set out to find that lovely little RSS symbol. But, web pages that I frequently visit are not RSS equipped. I e-mailed the web master (a friend of mine) and asked him if he could add it. He told me he had previously tried to figure it out, but was unable to do so. He asked for my help and I literally laughed out loud. Seriously? Me??? Help??? Hello!?! I am a digital immigrant and I'm trying my best to understand how to muddle through this stuff! But, there must be an answer on the web... right? Lo and behold, there it is. A WIKI!!! I sent him a link and told him that I had no clue how to write html or any sort of web-based language. After he read it, he thought it would be "easy," to write. (Once I get the hang of sharing... you'll be able to see that in my Reader feed)

As an educational tool, it seems the Reader would be an excellent addition for updated information available on the web. Imagine if we were still on the weekly news cycle by the weekly paper? Or even the 5pm news? Or the daily paper? Thanks to Ted Turner's CNN we have dedicated news channels (I'm not goin there on the Faux News). But, that's not good enough for the Information Age! We want it now, at our convenience, and without any unnecessary pop up ads or videos. If I want commercials, I'll watch TV! Oops, I digress... I don't think the attacks on labor in WI, IN, OH... would have had the impact a week later. 

"As we went to press, Governor Walker, was struggling with a state budget with only one recourse in his mind. He would need to renegotiate contracts with Wisconsin public worker unions." HA! Thankfully, we have Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, Blogger, Yelp... in addition, there were moment-to-moment updates available online through the various news outlets. Thanks to the Reader, I will only have one place to go for my daily news - and the only ads I will see are the ones I choose to click. The Reader, while making the world smaller,  is making our contacts and ability to motivate - much greater. 

I'm going to go ahead and post this. But, I'll be updating it once I get that sharing figured out!

****Update**** I figured it out! I hope you enjoy. My Google Reader shared stories.

****Update**** Even more so... check out the left side of the page, you can view portions of my Reader easily through my Blog. I set the layout so you could see who I am, read my previous Blogs, subscribe, follow and then my Reader feeds.