Alternative Free RSS Reading Tools: feedly (for FireFox) and MobileRSS for iPhone

This takes some time to read through..but I can NOT live without my googe reader.....

Alternative Free RSS Reading Tools: feedly (for FireFox) and MobileRSS for iPhone: "

I read 99% of my news these days from my subscriptions in Google Reader. For me, the printed newspaper primarily has value in helping get fires going in our living room fireplace. (I actually have to get them from my in-laws, incidentally, who are still devoted newspaper subscribers.) In this post I’ll discuss my impressions of two free news reading applications (feedly and MobileRSS for the iPhone) which integrate well with Google Reader and offer features not available in the standard, “Google version” of Reader.

While I perceive most digitally-connected adults today to still be “email people” and most seem to prefer the printed to the digital word, I’m comfortable predicting this will continue to change over time. I’ve noticed with interest my wife and son shift their reading preferences further toward digital texts in the past few months, especially after my wife obtained a Kindle earlier in the fall and my son discovered the site FanFiction.

In February 2009, PEW research revealed Twitter users are far more likely to read their news on digital and mobile platforms. This should come as no surprise: Until recently, most folks “on Twitter” were early adopters of technology and those adoption behaviors extend far beyond microblogging.

As a very active Twitter user, I find myself reading at least 90% of my news on my iPhone using the Google Reader Mobile Edition web app. The “share” option within Google Reader is very important to me, so any computer-based or mobile RSS reading solution needs to not only integrate with Google Reader but also support article sharing. With these criteria in mind, I’ve been exploring two new tools for RSS reading lately, feedly (a free, cross-platform extension for FireFox) and MobileRSS (a free iPhone app which offers offline RSS reading as well as sharing / starring.) James Deaton introduced me to feedly months ago, but I never developed a habit of using it. After reinstalling it recently, this evening it reveals the following post statistics waiting for me in my “feedly dashboard:”

52 categories. 825 sources. 22,127 unread articles

Talk about TMI.

I really like the color coding of feeds in feedly’s dashboard, providing insights like this one:

The light red background means that you have not read any articles from that source for the last 30 days and that it has more than 250 unread articles

Hmmm, I have a few of these. Perhaps time to unsubscribe from those feeds?

Another great feature of the feedly Dashboard is how it permits users to drag-and-drop feeds to which you’ve subscribed into different categories. As far as I know, you can’t do this in Google Reader, although you certainly CAN change subscription options using the drop down menus for different feeds. This drag-and-drop functionality seems to be faster, and it also is wonderful since it provides a visual, “big picture” view of your feeds and categories. The feedly dashboard makes it easy to identify feeds to which you may be subscribed more than once, as well as feeds which don’t have any posts. This feature enabled me to discover Richard Florida’s blog (to which I’d subscribed when it was still hosted as a subdomain on typepad) has now moved to www.creativeclass.com. Without this visual interface, I might have missed this blog source change, and therefore missed out on information shared there.

I also like the subscription interface for feedly. Don’t get me wrong, Google Reader’s default subscription format works well too, but somehow it strikes me as positive to view these available categories (which probably do need to be cut down) in feedly’s format rather than simply Google Reader’s drop down menus.

I also like how feedly supports blog feed “favorites,” in a way I don’t think Google Reader does. When you view your “digest” view in feedly instead of the “cover” version, feeds you have marked as “favorites” show up prominently so you can focus on those information sources. I’ve dabbled with this option a bit, but haven’t invested LOTS of time in it. (In other words, my list in the image below is far from complete.)

If you haven’t given feedly a try, I encourage you to check it out. The price is right (free) and it works as an extension in FireFox so you can use it on any computer platform you happen to be using.

A second alternative RSS reading tool to the standard Google Reader website or mobile-optimized site I’ll address in this post is MobileRSS.

There is a $3 paid version, but the free version has ads that are barely noticeable and seems to work great. It is fully integrated with Google Reader, like feedly, but has the HUGE benefit of permitting OFFLINE blog post reading as well as sharing, starring, etc. Any “interaction” you have with post content is uploaded / synced the next time you are connected to the Internet. I’m eager to give this a try on my next airline flight.

You’ll note at the bottom of the screenshot above, the app syncs your subscription list. This can take awhile if you have LOTS of subscriptions, so this provides more incentive to “clean up” old/expired subscriptions or subscriptions you don’t read much. As I mentioned earlier, feedly can be a great help in that regard.

I’ve briefly tried other iPhone RSS reader applications which integrate partially with Google Reader, like NetNewsWire for iPhone and FluentNews, but neither of those options seemed to support “sharing” via Google Reader. NNW 2.0 does support “starring.”

FluentNews is a mobile-friendly website, and displays its mobile version in standard web browsers. Check it out at www.fluentnews.com.

A few months back I tried USA Today’s iPhone app, but didn’t like the fact I couldn’t SHARE what I was reading in my Google Reader feed. I do like the new $3 CNN iPhone app, for the way it permits customized news feeds, but mainly for the iReporter features. I’ll write a separate post about that functionality sometime soon.

What are your favorite RSS reading options?

ADDITION: If you are a Google Chrome user, note that Google today announced several new extensions with specific support for Google Reader. Not sure any of these can beat feedly, however!

Technorati Tags:

google, iphone, mobile, reader, rss

"

2009 Parade....

Me and My Little Boy enjoying the parade.

Game Theorist: The class matching problem

Game Theorist: The class matching problem

http://www.slate.com/id/2227233/

Two different perspectives on requesting classes and how this affects the class receiving your child and the class losing your child.

I like the principal in Southern California that makes a parent spend a day observing a desired teacher prior to requesting him/her.

I also think there should be some factoring in of prior relationships between teacher and the family. Both when positive or negative because this is a collaborative effort between family, student and teacher.

I think schools in general should offer parents a way to make an informed request (i.e. the idea above) since this is your child that you are talking about. However these request need to come in prior to the classes being created because once they are created they are pretty much balanced with equal amounts of chemistry, learning levels and behavioral "challenges."

Of course, I say the above paragraph however students that move into the school's area over the summer just gets put into the class with the lowest amount of students or whoever is "next in line" to receive a student. This is often since it is challenging to do your due diligence when receiving a new student over the summer.

Baby Einstein is Dead! Long Live Baby Einstein! - NurtureShock Blog - Newsweek.com

Baby Einstein is Dead! Long Live Baby Einstein! - NurtureShock Blog - Newsweek.com

An interesting read...basically they were able to discover that Baby Einstein has lessoned, greatly lessoned, their claims about the power of their music since originally rolling out their product.

I will do my best to withhold any commentary on the G.W. analysis.

A good night’s sleep improves productivity

A good night’s sleep improves productivity: "

Failure to get a good night’s sleep can significantly alter your abilities to be productive, handle stress, and live an uncluttered life. I’m currently experiencing this phenomenon first hand since my son started teething. I have never in my life been this tired for such a continued amount of time, and I’m envious of parents whose children are seemingly unaffected by the teething process.

Actually, I’m envious of anyone who gets sleep, irrespective of if they have children. I may even be thinking mean thoughts about all of you and your well-rested state of being right now …

Where was I?

Oh yes, sleep deprivation.

We’ve talked in the past about how it is important to keep a sleep journal to determine the number of sleep hours you need to function at your best. Too little sleep and too much sleep can influence your behavior, so it’s best to know how much sleep you need. If you don’t know how to interpret the data you collect in your sleep journal, I recommend checking out the article “How Much Sleep Do We Really Need?” by the National Sleep Foundation.

Missing out on sleep affects motor skills, cognitive abilities, and other brain functions. Also, and this is the part that is most disturbing to me, being suddenly woken up (say, like by a crying baby) can have the same effects as sleep deprivation. A study by researchers at the University of Colorado at Boulder found that sleep inertia (being jarred awake) is the same as being deprived of sleep for 24 hours.

From an article about the study on Medical News Today:

The study showed test subjects had diminished short-term memory, counting skills and cognitive abilities during the groggy period upon awakening known as sleep inertia, said CU-Boulder Assistant Professor Kenneth Wright, lead study author. The new study has implications for medical, safety and transportation workers who are often called upon to perform critical tasks immediately after waking, since cognitive deficiencies following 24 hours of sleep deprivation have previously been shown to be comparable to the effects of alcohol intoxication, he said.

In addition to tracking your sleep patterns, you might also want to try different methods of waking up. A blaring alarm clock might not be the safest way to wake you up from your beautiful, relaxing, glorious night of sleep.

"

How to Discuss Popular Music (Rerun)

How to Discuss Popular Music (Rerun): "

"

“Data-Driven” Versus “Data-Informed” | Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day...

“Data-Driven” Versus “Data-Informed” | Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day...

I love this part from the article:

If schools are data-driven, they might make decisions like keeping students who are “borderline” between algebra and a higher-level of math in algebra so that they do well in the algebra state test. Or, in English, teachers might focus a lot of energy on teaching a “strand” that is heavy on the tests — even though it might not help the student become a life-long reader. In other words, the school can tend to focus on its institutional self-interest instead of what’s best for the students.

"Our Parents Don't Like Us to Talk About Our Skin'' — Big Think

"Our Parents Don't Like Us to Talk About Our Skin'' — Big Think

More information related to the recent Newsweek article about talking and acknowledging our differences rather than pretending they don't exist is actually healthy for our children.

Are we finally starting to give a darn about the crap we serve children?

Stars Are Aligning Over School Lunch Programs - NYTimes.com

So much for my high fives..

Schools Ban Touching To Fight H1N1: "

Story: Hands-Off Plan: Schools Ban Touching To Fight H1N1

What better way to greet all your friends after a long summer break than by awkwardly standing in front of them and saying 'hi.' The school thinks that after every high-five and handshake, students will immediately begin licking their fingers and spreading the swine flu. Correct me if I am wrong, but can't viruses spread airborne? Good luck trying to ban coughing and sneezing next!

"

Seven of 10 parents: I'd like my child to become a teacher. - Yahoo! News

Seven of 10 parents: I'd like my child to become a teacher. - Yahoo! News

I like the idea that many people are becoming open to charter schools. I would assume that a school(s) would be a reflection of the best efforts and cultures of each community. So every school should teach the state standards but clearly be a reflection of that communities peoples and families. Rather than the push for every school to look like a cookie cutter Houghton Mifflin program.

10 Fresh Lunchbox Ideas - Parenting.com

10 Fresh Lunchbox Ideas - Parenting.com

Please don't tell my mom, but the use of guilt may actually be a helpful thing

Findings - Guilt and Atonement on the Path to Adulthood - NYTimes.com

.

Social Media Is Important, The Video - John Battelle's Searchblog

Social Media Is Important, The Video - John Battelle's Searchblog

Who knows what things will be like for our 10/11 year olds when they graduate H.S. and move onto college in 7 years?

Bullies can be stopped, but it takes a village. - By Alan E. Kazdin and Carlo Rotella - Slate Magazine

Bullies can be stopped, but it takes a village. - By Alan E. Kazdin and Carlo Rotella - Slate Magazine

As we return to school, we all unfortunetly must deal with students not committed to being great community members.

This article is interesting however it makes it seem like a parent needs to pull in our Secretary of State to make it work.

Study Ball forces you to study » Coolest Gadgets

Study Ball forces you to study » Coolest Gadgets



http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/wp-content/uploads/study-ball.jpg

The Two Most Important Lists You'll Ever Keep | The View from Harvard Business | BNET

The Two Most Important Lists You'll Ever Keep | The View from Harvard Business | BNET

"It’s time to create two lists, arguably the only two you’ll need to keep focused at work.

1. Things That Keep Me Up At Night.
2. Reasons I Get Up In The Morning."

I wonder if I can adapt this for 10/11 year olds?

5 Personal Core Competencies for the 21st Century | The View from Harvard Business | BNET

5 Personal Core Competencies for the 21st Century | The View from Harvard Business | BNET

1. Ambiguity

2. Agency / Responsibility

3. Finding/Sustain Community

4. Managing Emotion

5. Managing Technological change

see the article for more details.....

A Pretty Funny Back to School Letter....

 This guy is a petty funny teacher....
Read all about Jack Woodson and his first year as a teacher in Learn Me Good, available at Amazon.com!

Here is a "funny" back to school letter:

Welcome to the new year:


Dear parents/guardians/cousin Larry,


Welcome to the beginning of another super fantastic year! We are very excited to have your son/daughter/spawn in our class this year! We are looking forward to a year full of learning, growth, and development -- and hopefully NOT full of termites like last year. Whoops!


As a third grader, your child will be taking the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) for the first time. Except for Pietro, who's an old hand at the state standardized test. Here's hoping the 10th time's a charm, Pietro! But for most of the rest of your kids, they will learn firsthand this year about subjective exams and arbitrary passing rates!


It's going to be a challenging year for all of us, so we appreciate all your help. Here are a few friendly reminders to help us all get through the year:


When you drop your kids off in the morning, be sure to actually stop the car before they get out.


Remember that school starts promptly at 8:00, and your child should be in his/her seat, ready to work when the bell rings. Please do NOT set your alarm clock for 7:55 and expect to get here in time for your child to have breakfast.


Students are to come to school every day with at least one sharpened pencil. If you can afford a PS3 and WWE Pay-Per-Views every other weekend, I'm sure you can afford a couple of lousy pencils.


Homework is to be done tonight it is assigned -- BY THE CHILDREN! We know that you mean well, but you're really not helping if you don't know your long division from your lines of symmetry. (You know who you are)


Let's agree that a 2-pound bag of Hot Cheetos and a liter of Dr Pepper does not constitute a healthy lunch.


Dog fighting, convenience store robbery, and 'making it rain' will not be tolerated. In other words, don't let your child emulate a professional football player.


Please make sure your son or daughter uses the restroom before they leave your home, and do not send them with a 2-gallon bottle of water. Once they are in the classroom, to paraphrase the current California Governator in Kindergarten Cop -- THERE IS NO BATHROOM!!


Let's make this a great year! Only you can prevent forest fires! They'll never take our freedom! Remember the Alamo! (Insert your own encouraging catchphrase here)!!


See you on Monday!


Sincerely,


Mister Teacher

"

Negative Effect of Forward Questioning

Interesting video-- something to think about when teaching math. Especially the students that don't pick things up easily.

Negative Effect of Forward Questioning: "

Quite cool. This shows the effect of forward questioning: when you ask kids questions based on material you have not yet taught. How many times would it take feeling helpless before you bought out.

YouTube – Learned Helplessness

"

Quotes Uncovered: From Soldiers to Farmers to Poets - Freakonomics Blog - NYTimes.com

Quotes Uncovered: From Soldiers to Farmers to Poets - Freakonomics Blog - NYTimes.com: "“I must study Politicks and War that my sons may have liberty to study Mathematicks and Philosophy. My sons ought to study mathematicks and philosophy, geography, natural history, naval architecture, navigation, commerce, and agriculture, in order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry, musick, architecture, statuary, tapestry, and porcelaine.” John Adams, Letter to Abigail Adams, May 12, 1780."

ROLLINGBACKPACK - NEW MATH by Craig Damrauer

ROLLINGBACKPACK - NEW MATH by Craig Damrauer

Mobile Learning Institute

Mobile Learning Institute

Great video on the short comings of state standards and how all the information without creativity can limit you as an adult.

Around Dublin | What Makes a Great High School?

Around Dublin | What Makes a Great High School?

Parents Magazine and the fuss about parenthood: Books: The New Yorker

Parents Magazine and the fuss about parenthood: Books: The New Yorker

A look at the American views of parenting since the 30's. Looks at magazines, books and the "science" behind raising a kid.

Barack Obama: 'We Need Fathers To Step Up' | Parade.com

Barack Obama: 'We Need Fathers To Step Up' | Parade.com

Weblogg-ed » #IranElections: Why We All Need to be Editors Now

Weblogg-ed » #IranElections: Why We All Need to be Editors Now

This is big..
"for me at least, it’s Twitter, YouTube, Wikipedia and then the New York Times website. It’s a bit of a different process, I’d say."

Teaching kids how to decipher and decide what is now "mainstream" media or where can you get various opinions. Also the discussion of how countries try to limit this information.

Indexed » Blog Archive » Sit still and stop exhibiting flashes of genius, kid.

Indexed » Blog Archive » Sit still and stop exhibiting flashes of genius, kid.

Indexed » Blog Archive » Teachers can save the economy.

Indexed » Blog Archive » Teachers can save the economy.

ParentWonder.com - TV and Children - Is Television Turning My Child’s Brain Into That Applesauce She's Eating?

ParentWonder.com - TV and Children - Is Television Turning My Child’s Brain Into That Applesauce She's Eating?

This doesn't mean to allow your child to just forget the books but TV may not ruin their minds.

Learn Me Good: A few movie reviews

Learn Me Good: A few movie reviews

This is a test.