Guardian full text rss feeds

Now, you don't even have to visit the original website to read the article/blog - just read the whole thing in your rss reader: Upgrading our RSS feeds

Using Google Chrome to manage your Web 2.0 services

According to Google, "Chrome is a browser that combines a minimal design with sophisticated technology to make the web faster, safer, and easier." Well, they would say that, wouldn't they? However, it does have a minimal design and it is pretty fast - I like it and by opening all of our different Web 2.0 services in tabs and saving as home page, it's a good way of managing these services more efficiently. 

You can download Google Chrome browser here. 

Instructions here to set up your home page - although remember to put your services in tabs first and then choose 'use current'. 

It's also worth reading about Chrome's minimal features and perhaps having a look at the introductory video: here. 

One-click subscribe to Google Reader

Long being a Firefox - and now Google Chrome - user, I was really thrown by Internet Explorer's apparent reluctance to make subscribing to feeds REALLY simple (after all, RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication) - I simply had no idea!

Having looked around the Internet it seems I'm not alone, as this excellent blog testifies whilst offering a work-round solution. So, either do what is suggested in that blog within Internet Explorer or make the switch to Firefox which is Really Simple Syndication.

Do what you can with this - in the meantime, let me know when you've got a few minutes and I can pop round and have a look at your browser set-up with you to make sure it's all working in the best way for you :-)

Week 2: Better Blogging

What is RSS? What are news feeds? What is a Reader? And why do you need to know? Well, I guess I can just point you to this truly, ravishingly excellent, informative blog for everything you need to know at this point - and I especially advise you to watch and re-watch the video, which is superb!

Your main focus for week 2 is to extend the excellent blogging work you've already done - especially by subscribing to RSS feeds and further considering the practical uses of blogs. Your tasks follow this post...

Week 2, Task 2: If it moves, blog it!

1. There is a Google doc shared by you all here. Add your examples of 'blogs-u-like' and 'how not to blog'.
2. Post a blog based on your recent experience: what advice would you give to somebody writing their first blog?
3. Keep looking at blogs and blogging on blogs – don't forget, it's your blog: you don't have to wait for course instructions - you are encouraged to start to develop your own theme: so, suggest up to 3 ideas for a blog which you think you could sustain (ie, it wouldn't become boring or a chore for you and you would be spurred to blog regularly and to comment on others' blogs).

(to be completed 6 days after your last lesson)

Week 2, Task 1: RSS, Feeds and Readers

Using Google Reader, subscribe to all course blogs.

Subscribe to at least 5 other site or blog feeds - you'll find your own but there's plenty to be going on with here and here (incidentally, these are good sources of help, too).

Create a post in your blog about this exercise ("RSS, Feeds and Readers"). Don’t know what to blog about? Think about these questions:

• What do you like about RSS and newsreaders?
• What don't you like or find confusing?
• How do you think you might be able to use this technology in your work or personal life?
• How can Universities use RSS or take advantage of this new technology?

See Reader Help Centre for any issues with using Google Reader and RSS feeds.

(to be completed 4 days after your last lesson)

Blogs in History

I'd be very interested to find out if any of these blogs are useful, interesting or worth a second visit...

Indeed, if there is a better, more rigorous academic blog resource out there, let us know!