CPL 2.0 and RSS Feeds

I was able to set up some RSS feeds, using both methods described in the CPL 2.0 blog. Since I was already logged into Bloglines, it probably made it easier to set up a feed from the actual web site, than it would have been had I not been logged in.

The process is pretty simple, the challenge will be selecting sites that give me information that is useful to me without swamping me with too much information. I can see that this service could be really useful (I was introduced to the concept during my pre-Internet library school years, but back then we called it SDI or selective dissemination of information), and I noticed that several of the sites on Bloglines 100 most popular list were book sites, or sites like Library Stuff and Librarian.net or book sites, which indicates to me that librarians like RSS feeds.

On the reading front, I've been reading alot of new children's fantasy during the past few weeks, and have been pleasantly surprised by the quality of what I've read. I hit three titles in a row that I've really enjoyed: Happenstance Found by P.W. Cantanese (first in the Books of Umber series), The Shifter by Janice Hardy (first in The Healing Wars series), and Bran Hambric: The Farfield curse by Kaleb Nation (it's likely to become a series, given the ending, but it lacks a series title at present). Bran Hambric has some echoes of Harry Potter, but the other two are quite original in their settings.

CPL 2.0 First time

From this CPL 2.0 training, I hope to learn to become more comfortable and effective with 2.0 technology. Having graduated from library school in the days when we did Dialogue searching (all searches to be pre-formulated to minimize our content time), I know I have come along way. After all, CPL started using the Internet at all locations early in in 1998. I've certainly picked it up. However, I know I have much more to learn.

I've never downloaded music, I use my cell phone to talk to people, and only in emergencies. I'm not on Facebook, and I tend to use e-mail strictly for business purposes. This training will be very good for me.

And so I enter the world of blogs -- not exactly kicking and screaming, but close!

Kids books I've read recently that I enjoyed: The Well between the Words by Sam Llewellyn. First in the Lyonesse series, it was published by Orchard in 2009. For fans of Arthurian fiction, it's a must read. I see that Darksolstice, the next in the series, is now available, so I'm off to track it down and read it!