RSS Feeders, Readers, and Alerts...Oh My! Meditation # 6

For the last media meditation we were asked to discuss Google Alert and Google Reader. These two tools are extremely helpful in weeding through the world of Web 2.0. Prior to creating my Google Reader and Google Alert I used to have to search for the information myself. I would have to go to each website individually and read the information, then go on to the next. Being a college student time is everything, and this process wasted a lot of time. Google Reader allows all the information to come to me, instead of me going to it.

We live in a world where time is precious, by setting up an RSS feed you will get the information you need brought to you. Google Reader is one of many sites that provide an RSS feed reader. All you have to do is set up an account, go to your favorite sites, click their RSS feeder button, subscribe to their sites, and Google Reader will notify you of any updates! It is as easy as pie!

Then you can sort your feeds into different categories. For example I have cooking sites, gossip sites, and news sites. My media experience is that I know can read updates from PerezHilton and my local news source all on one page! Another experience that I have had in regards to Google Reader is that I can access it on my smart phone through my Gmail application! From my phone I can access all the sites and blogs that I follow wherever I am. This is an example of an aesthetic shift (from discrete to convergence)! This was really helpful for when I was in the Canadian countryside for a weekend and didn’t bring my laptop. From my phone I kept myself updated on my Google Reader, without taking away too much time from bonfires and fishing!

Here is an educational video explaining RSS feeders and Google Reader.

Along with Google Reader, I was asked to set up Google Alerts. Google Alerts is very handy when you would like to be notified of an individual or have a question about a certain topic. Like a RSS, Google Alerts brings the information directly to you!

As a Public Relations major, this is an extremely helpful tool. For example, I have an interview with an architecture company in a month. I have to present a PR campaign and sample press releases to the company’s head of marketing. Along with research I have set up a Google Alert to notify me of any current projects or events that the company is associated with. The information sent to me has helped me keep up to date so I can be as prepared as possible for my interview. This personal/professional experience makes me feel like I have an advantage or an edge against my competition.

I have information from the architecture company sent to me on a weekly basis. You can decide how often you want your alerts delivered to you, whether it is daily, weekly, or monthly. This is using the persuasive technique timing! Oh how our media tools relate to the outside world.

Here is an instructional video about Google Alerts!

Both RSS Feeds and Google Alerts address all of our media tool sets. They relate to our triune brain because it is processed through our neo-cortex. Although I have mentioned a few other tools that were used throughout this mediation, I would like to express my Individual meaning that I found in reflecting about this media. Overall these tool sets are extremely helpful and provide me with information that I need. Others might feel that these tool sets limit ambition and getting information from more sources than the ones you are loyal to.

I absolutely love both RSS Feeds and Google Alerts. These two tools are not only personally helpful but also give you an advantage in the professional world. I have already persuaded both my mom and boyfriend to set up accounts too!