Thing 10

I used an online image generator to create an invitation to my monthly fiction book discussion group in the library. I was told that http://generatorblog.blogspot.com is a fine generator to use to create online images, so I went there where they have a tremendous amount of choices. There's a big variety of all kinds of images. So, I created my invitation on a piece of delftware. The images that you are able to create range from the crazy to the sublime to the funky to the elegant to the tasteless to the tasteful to the odd to the attractive.

Bob

P.S. If you'd like to see the image that I created with the generator, copy and paste the link that's below.

http://www.royaldelft.com//flash/bekijkecard_en.cfm?rand=6&cartouche=7&bordtekst=Bob%27s%20Fiction%20Book%20Discussion%20Group%20meets%20on%20the%20%20third%20Thursday%20of%20each%20month%20at%207%20%20P%2EM%2E%20%20RSVP&fontgrootte=29&zendernaam=Bob%20Hoff&naamontvanger=Bob%20Hoff&bericht=I%20hope%20that%20you%20will%20come%20to%20the%20book%20discussion%20group%2E

Thing 9

This "thing" showed me some tools to help me to find newsfeeds to add to my newsreader (www.bloglines.com). I explored the tools that were suggested to me: topix.net, technorati, feedster, and syndic8.com. I liked topix.net the best. I found the others to be a little overwhelming. I gave topix.net my zip code in order to get news that's "close to home" for me. But; instead of using these tools to help me to find newsfeeds, I think that I will simply find newsfeeds by going to sites on the internet that I consistently enjoy and then subscribing to their feeds. In other words, now that you've made me aware of RSS, I will look for the RSS icon on the web pages of sites that I enjoy and find interesting and I will subscribe to them then if I'm so inclined. However; I realize that, by using one or more of the tools that I listed above, I may find sites of which I've been unaware and that's usually fun. I have subscribed to MERLIN'S newsfeed because MERLIN is a good way for me to be aware of what's happening in Maryland's library community.

Bob

Thing 8

For this "thing", I am asked to learn about RSS
(Really Simple Syndication or Rich Site Summary).
It is a way to publish updates from a variety of web sites at once in a summary format. An RSS document contains either a summary of content from a web site or the full text. RSS makes it possible for me to keep up with my favorite web sites in an automated manner that's easier than checking each and every web site manually. So, to subscribe to an RSS, I went to www.bloglines.com. Now I will be able to learn in a handy format when my favorite web sites get updated. RSS saves time because now I don't have to visit every site to learn about updates. I only have to go to one webpage (www.bloglines.com) and get the news that's waiting for me there. It's useful because it organizes updates into one website. It's convenient gathering tool for those who like to explore multiple websites and blogs. Maybe a public library could could use an RSS to put out information about new books and other materials, events in the library, and possibly notify patrons when items are due or are on the "hold shelf" for them.

Bob