Feeds allow Library Ninja to be enlightened about new content on sites without having to visit each site and search for any new content manually. This is a huge time saver, and more time means Library Ninja can better focus his attention on espionage, sabotage, infiltration and other important library duties (WARNING: Contains some coarse language).
Perhaps one of the reasons that Library Ninja didn't take an interest in RSS feeds when they first came about was because there was initially a limited choice of RSS reading software available, and these were rather clumsy at best. Now, a search on Wikipedia reveals that there are over 50 RSS readers readily available, with the majority of internet browsers (like Internet Explorer and Firefox) also offering built-in RSS viewing and management.
Perhaps another reason Library Ninja didn't get into the habit of using feeds back in the day was that there weren't too many sites back then who had a feed to follow. With the advent of Content Management Systems (like Blogger) which include automatic generation of RSS feeds based on site updates, more and more sites these days provide a feed to follow.
In terms of RSS readers, it has to be said that Google Reader makes the whole process of keeping up to date with the feeds you're following a breeze. Library Ninja is especially impressed with the feature that automatically marks RSS posts as read when you scroll past them (instead of having to click and view each post individually). So if he thought that was cool, you can imagine how ecstatic he was that the blog feeds of the fellow Web 2.0 participants he was following were automatically imported when he first setup his Google Reader account!
5 feeds Library Ninja likes
- Getty Images allows you to create a custom RSS feed of their photos based on keywords (e.g. korea)
- NASA's Image of the Day
- Gizmodo keeps you up to date with gadgets and technology
- Search for cool gifts for friends and family in the UK and US from cool gift and gadget shop Firebox
- ...and of course, AskNinja... You got questions. Ninja got answers.
I LOVE the Library Ninja video! We need a Ninja at our library :)
ReplyDeleteDear Library Ninja, Can you please visit my library, we have a couple of customers you would find "interesting.
ReplyDeleteBut then again, I think some of the customers think that some of the staff are "interesting" so maybe for the sake of myself and my coworkers, you'd better not visit :)
We like to have dress ups at our library and I don't think we've ever had a ninja theme, this must be rectified.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great video, Library Ninja rules. There are definately times when I'd like to see him/her come backflipping out from between the shelves here!
ReplyDeletesome people see that Superman or Batman are the gretest heros, but all librarians now the TRUE hero is Library Ninja
ReplyDeleteI agree with you wholeheartedly!
ReplyDeleteP.S. Your cheque is in the mail :-)
What a great costume! great video aswell!
ReplyDeleteThe Getty images are great so I'm going to check out that one.
ReplyDeleteBut remember....Sometimes books are better!