more about blogging

I know you guys are old hat at blogging now, but I'd feel remiss if I didn't mention. Common Craft (whose lovely "in plain English" videos we've watched in several of the 24 Things) recently posted a Blogging in Plain English. It gives a really good explanation of what blogging is, how it works, and why people like it so much. Check it out!

Also watch: New Lightbulbs in Plain English to learn about why you should be using compact fluorescent bulbs.

#14 Technorati

I'm still trying to wrap my head around the inner workings of Technorati. I see how to use it as a search / blog finding tool, and I understand how they manage their ranking / authority, but somehow it feels like the site hasn't quite clicked for me yet. In an effort to raise the authority ranking of the LPLS Learning 2.0 website a bit above 1, I'm adding a link within this blog entry. Because blogs linking to other blogs is where the authority comes from.

You know, I was thinking that it's cool that Technorati displays videos among its search results. I just did a search for my name (to see if this here blog was listing in Technorati, which is is, with 0 authority -- which shows you that even if you don't go through the claim process, as described in this week's exercise, your blog may still be included in Technorati listings), and what do you know, it included videos from youtube that I'm in (from the Richmond Zine Festival this summer). It also pulled up a video of me and my kiddo (from his grammy's webcam, which we were using to make a video for the kiddo's uncle). And I found a blog post about Linebaugh's zine collection. Course, it also includes links to blog posts & videos that are not me. (Yes, it's still possible, even with a name as uncommon as mine.)

Thing #9 - feed me

I used the Bloglines search tool to find the feeds for a couple of the library-related blogs I already knew were out there. I used Technorati when I was setting up the LPLS Learning 2.0 site, to find other local blogs for Thing #3.

I like how Technorati displays new blog posts in a rolling list. Neat! At Topix, I followed the link for the Nashville News page. Pretty straightforward. I like the traffic info, that could be helpful. A little confused on why they have Nashville listed as being in Williamson County... Feedster looks too hip for me. Anyway, did a couple of searches to compare results, found a few new blogs to read.

The most interesting thing I found using these sites, so far, was an ad for a new Coen brothers movie called No Country For Old Men. I didn't know they had a new movie coming out! I'm a big Coen brothers fan. (James Brolin is looking a little Charles Bronson, based on the IMDB photos. Weird.)

Thing #8 - RSS feeds

I've been using RSS feeds for a while to keep up with various library blogs and techy news (though I've been using something other than bloglines). It's an easy way to have lots of different kinds of information delivered to you in one place, which is a big time saver for me. Many of the feeds I get give a summary of the posted article, so if it's something that interests me, I follow the link and can read the whole thing. Otherwise, it's like scanning the headlines in a newspaper -- you get a feel, at least, for what's going on.

I think there is a big future for libraries using RSS feeds. I think it will be great when we finally have an OPAC that will allow patrons to sign up for RSS feeds for new books, new DVDs, etc., as well as for saved searches. Supposed you want to read every new book released about Princess Diana, or every new release by James Patterson. RSS feeds can give you a way to save your search and be notified when new items fitting your search criteria are added. Some of our online databases already offer RSS feeds -- including TEL, which lets you create a "search alert." This RSS feed will send you updates when new items meeting your search criteria are added to the digital collection. Isn't that swell? Great for people doing research or who are just curious about a particular topic. (In fact, I'm making a note on my to-do list to find ways to promote this on our library website.)

I've already shared my bloglines list, but here it is again.