My name is Mindy and I’m a blog addict. I freely admit that I love blogland. I can justify my blog reading in a number of ways—research, professional development, relationship building and sheer enjoyment (time spent doing something you enjoy isn’t wasted).
However, once I enter blogland, I can get easily distracted. One blog leads to another and another and another until I can’t even remember how I got there. The next thing I know it is midnight and I have to be up in five hours.
In an effort to streamline my online reading, I just started using Google Reader. It has been out since late 2007, so I’m behind the times on this one, but I’m loving it.
If you aren’t using it, here is the scoop. You create an account, subscribe to the blogs you read, and then Google Reader automatically shows you which blogs have new posts. I can read them right from Google’s page, which keeps me from clicking on blogrolls or delving into a blog’s archives—both of which add to the amount of time I spend online and contributes to the dark circles under my eyes in the morning.
I do still love discovering new blogs and reading old posts. I won’t ever be able to give that up, but Google Reader helps me stay focused on my favorites. I also look forward to those times when I know I’ve finished everything on my to-do list and can journey into the black hole of blogland guilt free.
I’m a huge fan of google reader! The only problem is that it doesn’t tell you when private blogs are updated (which is why I have a pet-peeve with private blogs and never check them as often). But, for the most part it’s wonderful and has saved me a lot of time
I’m a huge fan of google reader! The only problem is that it doesn’t tell you when private blogs are updated (which is why I have a pet-peeve with private blogs and never check them as often). But, for the most part it’s wonderful and has saved me a lot of time
I am not sure if you just saved me time or helped me get more lost in the blog world – but either way – THANK YOU!
I am not sure if you just saved me time or helped me get more lost in the blog world – but either way – THANK YOU!