Why I Like Google Reader
I am probably one of the most educated people I know. I mean that in a humble, non-insulting sort of way, of course. But I do consider myself to be awful educated. I would like to think that, as a result of all this education, I am therefore smart and/or wise, but that is simply subjective. The objective measurement of education is typically related to degrees held but it is not in that sense that I speak. I feel educated because I am informed. And I am informed because I read a lot.
Over the past few months, I have really grown quite attached to Google Reader — partly because most of my books are in storage and partly because it is awesome. Here is why:
Google Reader, for the novice, is simply a tool one uses to compile their favorite blogs and websites. If you are like me, you probably have a few websites you like to visit often. You also may have a few blogs you like to read regularly. Something cool, called RSS, exists to help you know when something has been updated on one of these favorite sites. RSS stands for “Really Simple Syndication” and provides an easy way for people to have their chosen information delivered to them. Some would argue that going out to the web to find information is easy enough, but once you find something you like, it is fancy to have it delivered to you. RSS feeds are usually symbolized with this logo:
So, I tell Google Reader what I like to read, and then it tells me when something I like to read appears. This, naturally, leaves me with more time to do actual reading of what I like to read and less time surfing around trying to find new content. No matter where I am, or on which computer I am on, I can find my specific stuff.
Why Google Reader as opposed to something else? A few reasons, really… Firstly, I find myself immersed in Google at work. We use Gmail, Google Apps, Google Docs, and Google Talk / Video Chat all the time. Secondly, I often use the star feature in Google Reader. This allows me to keep articles handy that I want to read again (or more in depth) later. And the trends feature of Google Reader helps me know what I spend my time reading. For example, it appears I read more feeds at 9AM than I do any other time.
Now that I have convinced you to use Google Reader, go here to sign up. And then you can sign up for an RSS feed for my blog here.
Yea, I started using Google Reader when it first came out and it only gets better and better. By the way, did you know that your blog doesn’t have a title?
I’m in.
Oh, and Zac is smart as well as informed.
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