Week 6 - RSS feeds, readers and finding feeds.
Setting up the Google feed reader was very easy. I added feeds from some news and library sites & blogs. Feeds are a good way to save time by not having to revisit sites to see if there are any updates of interest. Having said that it still takes time just to keep up with the RSS feeds themselves, although the manage features in Google Reader do help.
I tried some of the feed search tools - one of them, Feedster, seems to be out of action at the moment. I did find some interesting library blogs using Technorati.
Library users would benefit from setting up feeds from library web sites and relevant databases and ejournals to keep up with new resources. Libraries could use RSS news feeds to help promote their resources and events. RSS feeds from subject specific library blogs would be very useful for students.

Week 5

Week 5 of 23 Things proved a bit challenging - in exploring image generators I reconfirmed my suspicion that I have zero graphic art capabilities but I can see how useful some of these tools would be for generating publicity fliers or posters for library use - just don't let me loose on them!
I am quite impressed by Rollyo and have added some good search rolls to my own Rollyo site.
As to the Web 2.0 award winners - I investigated Biblio.com and was impressed that you can restrict your search to signed copies of out-of-print books.
I joined a Libraries 2.0 Ning group on Open Source for libraries - it will hopefully prove a convenient way to keep up to date on developments. I gave up when I got to the play section and got frustrated with Travel IQ - I can think of more constructive and enjoyable ways to spend online time! Phew - exhausted!

Some thoughts on technologies

Week 4 of 23 Things was interesting - Flickr is a good way to share photos with friends and family or the rest fo the world if you want. I haven't investigated all its bells and whistles fully. As I haven't yet ventured into the world of digital photography I won't be using it for personal photos - but once my 20 year old auto focus camera finally gives up the ghost who knows where the technolgy will lead me?
I have been contemplating downloading Skype at home - free computer to computer calls are an attractive proposition in this recessionary era.