Reviews
Tools That I Use: Google Reader
0The one online tool that I use more than any other is Google Reader. It allows me to rapidly make sense of the fire hose of information circulating on the web, keep up with my favorite blogs, perform vanity monitoring on my person and projects, and effortlessly wire my online contributions into more useful formats. I love it and I thought that I might recommend it to you.
The first thing that you need to know is that, at its core, Google Reader, is nothing more than an online RSS Reader application. What is RSS you ask? Let’s check Wikipedia –
“RSS (most commonly expanded as "Really Simple Syndication") is a family of web feed formats used to publish frequently updated works—such as blog entries, news headlines, audio, and video—in a standardized format. An RSS document (which is called a "feed", "web feed", or "channel") includes full or summarized text, plus metadata such as publishing dates and authorship. Web feeds benefit publishers by letting them syndicate content automatically. They benefit readers who want to subscribe to timely updates from favored websites or to aggregate feeds from many sites into one place. RSS feeds can be read using software called an "RSS reader", "feed reader", or "aggregator", which can be web-based, desktop-based, or mobile-device-based. A standardized XML file format allows the information to be published once and viewed by many different programs. The user subscribes to a feed by entering into the reader the feed’s URI or by clicking an RSS icon in a web browser that initiates the subscription process. The RSS reader checks the user’s subscribed feeds regularly for new work, downloads any updates that it finds, and provides a user interface to monitor and read the feeds.”
The above description of RSS, refers to RSS Readers. Once upon a time that meant a desktop application. Today, that means Google Reader. Besides being one slick RSS Reader, the fact that it is fully API supported and Internet based means that you completely avoid the challenges of syncing your reading across multiple platforms! You can use Google Reader via any web browser, any mobile Smart Phone, and use any operating system to do it. There are even tons of full applications that use its back office support for their database meaning that you can read items wherever you are and never lose track of what you have and have not read!
Of course, Google Reader, is free. You can use it now. Give it a try. They have an awesome help and support page here. They even offer video lessons to get you started. If you are looking for an RSS feed to try with it, you can subscribe to this blog here. Then just look for the symbol in this post on other sites. You will start to notice them everywhere!
Come back later this week and I will discuss how I use Google Reader and RSS to do all the tasks that I mention in the opening paragraph.
Do you use RSS? How often? Do you use Google Reader or another RSS Reader?Please share your ideas below. Also, if you have recommendations on other tools that you use, please let us know.
That is my Information Technology Thought of the Day (ITTOD) for March 17, 2010 by Scott Coughlin.
Image Credit: Learn.com
Book Review – iPhone Fully Loaded by Andy Ihnatko
0I just finished reading what was not only the best book about the iPhone that I have encountered, but easily one of the most useful technology books, too. It was iPhone – Fully Loaded by Andy Ihnatko. 
I highly recommend it to Information Technology Professionals everywhere who either own or support those who use iPhones. It goes far beyond being simply another, “Push here to make the iPhone vibrate” kind of book, trust me.
It is available only in print from major book sources, including Amazon.com. I appreciated it so much that I also added it to The Information Technology Thought of the Day Webstore, permanently.
Andy Ihnatko, by the way, is one of the premier tech journalists writing today. His home column is found in the Chicago Sun-Times, where he is their tech writer. He also appears weekly on the MacBreak Weekly podcast with Leo Laporte. He makes frequent appearances at conventions on both the stage and as a panel member.
Let’s make one thing clear — this book is not an iPhone, how-to book. It is a book about being productive with and getting the most out of an iPhone. It is this difference that makes it such a compelling product.
There were many factors that influenced my recommendation of this book. Here are the ones that really swayed me.
- Entertaining. This book managed to take a very dry and dull subject and make it come alive. There are jokes through out that actually relate to the subject matter.
- Humorous. Everywhere that he can, the author makes his point with humor. This is very warming to the reader and makes you feel like he is mentoring you vice teaching you.
- Technique based vice fact based. Throughout the book, the chapters are organized around how to accomplish another wonder with the iPhone as the conduit. It steers well clear of “push this button, turn that knob” kind of writing. It is not insulting to the technically inclined, while still demonstrating how to accomplish new things on every page.
- About what you can do with it not what it is or how it works. Similar to the above comment, you come away from reading this with wonder for how the device can make you day better, not how shiny it is.
- Dense writing. Stylistically, you pay for this book and what you get is page after page of results and use cases. There is very little fluff here. If it were not packaged in the consumer section, I would have classified it more like a technical manual. Good value for the page count/cost.
- Visual. The book contains many useful images and screenshots with almost one per page.
- Personality. Andy has personality. This book reads like he speaks. It is a far cry from most of these kind of “manual you should have gotten in the box” kind of tomes. It is refreshing to see a book on a tech subject that still reflects the author’s character.
- Personal Recommendations. The author makes many opinionated recommendations throughout the book. Again, this is greatly appreciated. I take them from one geek to another and like that he did it. Most of these types of books go out of their way to be agnostic and take no position on anything. Andy tells you in many places exactly what he recommends and why.
I sincerely wish that more technology books were written in this style and voice. This unique combination delivers, in my opinion, a much higher quality product that is far more useful to the reader. I know that I will reference this book many more times than I normally would. I can only dream of what a wonderful world it would be where Operating System Pubs, Technical Manuals, and Accreditation Standards were produced in this style. I highly recommend this book and hope that you find it as valuable a read as I did.
That is my Information Technology Thought of the Day (ITTOD) for February 16, 2010 by Scott Coughlin.
Image Credit: Chicago Sun-Times
Ignite Baltimore #5 Tonight!
0Tonight is the fifth Ignite Baltimore Event . It will be held at the Walters Art Gallery in downtown Baltimore. Unfortunately, it is already sold out, though many walk-ins get spaces if ticket holders do not show up in time, but you can read about it here . I highly recommend this event if are looking for a hip event that combines the best of art with the best of technology with the best of fun! I will be there.
You can also follow it on Twitter at @ignitebaltimore.
This is a great opportunity for artistic and technical people in the local DC/Baltimore Metro area to interact in person and I always enjoy meeting everyone. The fourth event was even better than before and I expect that tonight will continue the improving trend. The new venue is better, the food was great last time, the drink is always fine, and the speakers look encouraging.
If you are here because of Ignite Baltimore, I sincerely thank you for taking the time and investing your attention in my content. If you leave me a comment with your link or send me an email using my contact form, I would be honored to return your favor. I welcome your feedback on my blog. Please seek me out on twitter @Scott_Coughlin or @ITThought so we can meet at the event, too.
Ignite is a tough event to describe so I will direct you to the global Ignite site instead. This how they describe it there:
Ignite is exciting because it attracts a very diverse audience of artists, technorati, and thinkers to see presentations and engage in cerebral discussions led by other local artists, technorati, and thinkers. Plus it features local foods, deserts, and drinks. Great time for all.
My IT thought for the day is "what is it about now that there seems to be a growing number of convergence events happening just like this?” I believe, though I cannot find the words to explain it, that art and science and technology are coming together in many places because of our Information Age and it all has something very profound to say about the maturity of its glue – Information Technology.
What do you think? Have you ever been to an Ignite event near you? Please share your thoughts.
That is my Information Technology Thought of the Day (ITTOD) for March 4, 2010 by Scott Coughlin.
Image Credit: Ignite BaltimoreToday’s post is licensed under the creative commons license. All are free to share and use so long as credit is given for original or derivative works.