Thing 30: More ways to use RSS and Delicious

My RSS feeds appearing in Bloglines have kept me up-to-date on several areas of interest since early 2008. The articles I regularly get from Ebsco-Host are the result of several searches I set up to come to my feeder. I exported all of my feeds, transferred them to Google Reader, and linked them to my IGoogle home page. I also linked all of my delicious links to my IGoogle home page and put a badge on my blog inviting people to my bookmarks.

Thing 29 Google Tools

I set up Google alerts long ago to track certain topics important to me - excellent tool. My G-mail account has been tremendously helpful to me at various times. I synced my calendar to my cell phone a year ago and have been delighted with the service.

The 800-GOOG411 is awesome!! Will definitely use it :-).

Thing 28 Customized Home Pages

I've created both an IGoogle page and a My Yahoo. Each one has a variety of services. On My Yahoo I linked my Facebook account and I like the fact that I can send cell phone messages from Yahoo - helpful for contacting students. Both were easy to set up. I've added games, puzzles, clocks, counters, etc. Widgets and gadgets are fun to add.

Thing 27 Twitter

I created a Twitter account last summer when I started following a friend. I enjoy getting tweets on my phone keeping me linked to others wherever I am. I changed my Twitter background and have a number of people I follow. I have a link on my blog. Come follow me.

I look at Twitter as yet another tool to connect with friends. Students benefit from following a library twitter to keep them informed of services and research helps.

Thing 26 Join the Ning

I joined the Ning in the first round of 23 Things on a Stick. I've changed the look of my home page, brought it up-to-date, and added a fun video. A Ning can be used in the library to communicate with staff in a fun way. I joined knitting in the library and look forward to communicating with the group.

Thing 25 Blogger Toolkit

I had fun with this thing adding widgets or gadgets. I started this months ago and just came back to it deciding that I really want to finish this before moving to Greenville, SC. I added the search box, clock, Meebo, slide show, and several other widgets. I decided not to pursue the tag cloud since it looked cumbersome, but I may decide to go back to it at another time. I spent a couple of hours on this thing, but could have lost myself in all of the choices. Fortunately, I have a temp job that is keeping us afloat until we begin our new positions.

BJU

Praise the Lord, Dave and I both have positions at BJU beginning this summer. We are looking forward to being near our daughter, Cynthia, who lives in the same building where our apartment will be. What a blessing!

We will certainly miss our home in Owatonna, but sometimes God has to make us content to leave a place where we have been content. It is tougher to move away from our children and grandchildren who live in the vicinity, but we'll just be a plane ride away. After 25 years in Owatonna, we will be leaving the ice, snow, clean air, good friends, lovely blue sky for the Smokey Mountains, azaleas, warmth, and lots of friends.

What an adventure!!