If you want to be on the leading edge,
Google Reader is the tool to get & keep you there.
In 1999 a lot of things happened. Some predicted the world was going to end and no doubt several rock bands had mega hits that are now just overplayed remnants from our past. It was also the year that The Matrix came out.
A sci fi movie that really broke the mold on reality, both mentally and with killer special effects. If you haven’t seen it, then you should pick it up at the local movie rental store (if you can still find one) or just add it to your NetFlix queue.
No seriously, if you haven’t seen it- the rest of this will both 1.) not make sense and 2.) spoil the whole movie. Go bake some popcorn over the fireplace, watch the movie and report back ASAP.
Warnings aside- one of the main concepts in the movie was the idea of plugging into the Matrix. That life was run by an
The Matrix: Streaming data is our friend.
immense computer program and the result of it was a HUGE amount of streaming data. You could say it’s similiar to a stock ticker on speed, or an Amp Energy drink.
Only by “plugging in” could one access the data stream and basically know what the heck is going on. Yes heck, darnit!
Some folks got really good at staring at a computer screen and reading the cryptic symbols. But those guys lived on oatmeal that tasted like Tasty Wheat and got chased by spider looking death robots.
As for me, I elect to plug into the Matrix using Google Reader. The best part is that you create your own Matrix. We can go branding crazy and call it the Mini Matrix, Me Matrix, or shoot, how about Metrix. The point is that:
We don’t have to read the daily newspaper and learn about what
someone feels is most important anymore.
You are your own Editor-in-Chief.
Using your Google Account (created by getting a free Gmail account) you already have access to a free Google Reader account.
Go to http://www.google.com/reader/ and log in with the username/password for your Gmail. You’re in!
You’ll see several posts in your new Google Reader account. Read them.
They will highlight key features, such as the ability to simply scroll by an article and Reader (it’s cool to drop the “Google” for this one) will mark it as “read.” You won’t see it again, freeing up your attention for new fresh articles
everytime you log in.
Welcome to your Matrix. Only there isn’t any information streaming by just yet- you need to add your sources! Finding awesome blogs and sources of information for your Reader Matrix is definitely worth it’s own post.
But I wouldn’t give you the Keys to the Universe and not let you start taking her for a spin.
I’ll give you the first method for adding content to Reader: Subscribing to RSS feeds. (What’s an RSS Feed?) If you look at the left margin of this blog, you’ll see an RSS button- if you click it you can subscribe to this blog. But it’s no longer 1999, so I’ll make it easy for you. Here’s the button and link to this blog’s RSS feed:
Once you click the orange RSS Feed button, you’ll see plenty of subscription options, including:
Click on that button to add this blog’s feed to your Reader.
On the next screen, Google offers you two choices. Pick “Google Reader” naturally.
Finally back at your Reader screen, be sure to confirm the subscription and you’re done!
You can repete these steps for any blog, news portal, and website with an RSS feed. My parting words for you as you begin to explore this tool and build you Matrix- add whatever interests you to your Reader and worry about refining your feeds later. For now you want to build a mighty personal Matrix. It can be overwelming, but I will help you focus your reading and pair it down to a mangeable level in later posts.
Go plug in! You’ve truly started to Waterski the Web!
