Combating Information Overload

with RSS Feeds

Meghan SitarInstruction and Outreach Librarian

Library Instruction Services University of Texas Libraries

http://www.lib.utexas.edu/services/instructionMay 25, 2007

Goals for this Session

Develop an understanding of what RSS feeds are and how they can be used to keep up with new information on the Web

Become familiar with how to use an RSS reader/aggregator to subscribe to RSS feeds

Begin to consider ways that RSS can be used in the classroom

What is RSS?

Do you want to go to the newstand every day to check for the new issue of People or do you want it sent to your home when it’s published?

RSS = Really Simple SyndicationBehind-the-scenes code in a

language similar to HTML called XML

RSS = Really Simple Syndication

These content feeds exist for websites, blogs, and can even be created for your favorite searches

Unlike email subscriptions to a site, you don’t need to worry about spammers, identity theft, or contacting an administrator to end your relationship with that site

RSS = Really Simple Syndication

Most readers also allow you to create folders and categorize feeds, just like you would group your bookmarks.

When you finish reading that content, it is removed from your reader unless you save it.

Readers / Aggregators = Your inbox for Web content

Web-based Bloglines, http://www.bloglines.com Google Reader, http://www.google.com/reader Newsgator, http://www.newsgator.com Firefox Live Bookmarks:

http://www.mozilla.com/firefox/livebookmarks Google Personalized Home Page,

http://www.google.com/igOther Web-Based and Desktop Readers:

http://allrss.com/rssreaders.html

Step 1:

Choose a reader and create an account

www.bloglines.com

www.google.com/reader

Step 2: Identify Content

Clear out your browser bookmarks Which sites are you already visiting daily? Do they publish a feed?

Do the journals and databases in your field use RSS to provide news and search alerts?

Which sites publish new content that you need to follow? What are your interests? Start searching!

Google Blog Search, http://blogsearch.google.com Technorati, http://www.technorati.com Bloglines, http://www.bloglines.com/search Feedster, http://www.feedster.com College and University Feed Directory,

http://directory.edufeeds.com MiniBoxs RSS Magazine, http://www.miniboxs.com

Step 3: Subscribe to Content

Method 1: Click on feed icon

Step 3: Subscribe to Content

Method 1: Click on feed icon

Step 3: Subscribe to Content

Method 1: Click on feed icon

Step 3: Subscribe to Content

Method 1: Click on feed icon

Step 3: Subscribe to Content

Method 2: Paste the URL into Your Reader

Step 3: Subscribe to Content

Method 3: Use Subscription Tools Provided by the Website

Step 3: Subscribe to Content

Method 4: Use a Bookmarklet

Step 4: Manage Your Content

Create Folders Organize existing subscriptions into folders Add new subscriptions to existing folders Create new folders while adding subscriptions

Keep NewClip/Blog This

In the Classroom

Share Content Email content from your reader Make your blog or blogroll public in Bloglines Add to “Shared” in Google Reader Add syndicated content to your course website

In the Classroom

Create a folder housing your students’ blogs

In the Classroom

Have students subscribe to search alert RSS feeds from databases or other information sources as part of their research project

Use social bookmarking sites like Furl.net or del.icio.us to allow collaborative gathering of sites related to the course

Additional resources for finding, creating, and managing RSS feeds on handout

Please feel free to use the demo accountsContact me with any questions

msitar@austin.utexas.edu

AIM: meghanlibrarian

Questions?