I hate to come across as negative, but WOW! This lesson is well beyond anything we've done so far, and in my opinion, beyond what your average computer user will be able to handle. I've been using computers since I was 8, I have my A+ certification (useless, I know), and am a constant internet junkie, and even I was pretty lost at several points! Whats more, asking staff to sign up for seven RSS feeds is asking a lot!
Anyways, to the matter at hand: Blogging about RSS feeds!
What do you like about RSS and newsreaders? To be honest, nothing. Perhaps I'm in the minority, but I fail to see the point of RSS feeds! If I want to read what Gizmodo has posted today, I check their website! If I'm curious if my room-mate has posted anything on his blog, I check his blog! And if I need up-to-the-minute news, I turn on a TV or the radio. The way RSS has a brief 'intro' to news items is pretty irrelevant as well, since most websites do that on their own. So does it all come down to the lack of ads? Are they really so bothersome for so many people that they had to create a whole new way of viewing news on the web to get around them? And how long do they expect RSS to remain ad-free? Not long, if you ask me.
How can librarie suse RSS or take advantage of this new technology? Often, when the library system is having a big event, it is posted about on our website. But if the event isn't big enough to warrant a front-page post, you have to know where to look for upcoming Events to see if anything new has been added since last you looked. An RSS feed for upcoming events could simplify the way many library patrons are notified about events, both big and small, without forcing them to navigate a website that isn't always the most friendly.
Laurel Steiner thanks the Advocates for tackling one of the (if not THE) most difficult lessons. To the Advocates out there, be warned... this one is a doozie!
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You are right - 7 feeds is too many. We've cut it down to 6...
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