Reading Other Blogs

Part of being in this On a Stick Community is to read and comment on others' blogs. This can be a hassle if you don't use one of the tools below.

You could just add everyone's blog to your bookmarks/favorites, but using an RSS feed or Reading List on Blogger is easier.

RSS
RSS stands for “Really Simple Syndication.” It is a file format for delivering regularly updated information over the web.

1. Read more about RSS and/or watch this Common Craft video.
2. Set up an aggregator account using either Bloglines or Google Reader. It’s free. Follow the directions at these sites:

• For Bloglines
• For Google Reader

3. You will want to add some or all of your fellow participants’ blogs to your Bloglines or Google Reader account. This will help you keep up-to-date on what they have to say about the Things. You can add additional feeds for Web sites, news sites, podcasts, and more, too.

It is easy to add the feeds. First find the blog or site to add. You need the URL. Then copy and paste the URL into the Subscribe or Add box then click the button. You can add a Bloglines button or Google Reader Subscribe link to your toolbar, too, which makes it easy to subscribe. Follow the Blogline instructions or look under Settings-->Goodies-->Subscribe as You Surf for Google Reader's instructions.

Reading List on Blogger
You can have a list of the blogs you follow right on your Blogger Dashboard. Includes summaries of recent posts. Just copy and paste the URL of any blog you want to read.

Creative Commons

Creative Commons gives content creators more control over how their copyrighted works are used. Under US Copyright law, you must request permission from a copyright holder if you want to use part of his/her work. They can let you or not and may charge you to use it.

Creative Commons lets copyright holders allow certain uses of their works if users follow the conditions they set, including attribution. This makes it easier for people who want to use these works in mashups or in other ways like in a video or podcast. The Creative Commons Web site explains all the kinds of license options. Read about them here.

Why do you care? Using copyrighted works without permission can lead to trouble for you. YouTube has recently taken down many videos and even banned users for using copyrighted music in their videos. If you want to use photos or video clips or music in a project you are doing, Creative Commons offers a legal way to do that.

You can find Creative Commons-licensed stuff in several ways:
Search the Creative Commons site (Read about it here.)
Flickrcc searches CC licensed photos
Some music tracks

Who uses CC licenses? Lots of people including Nine Inch Nails.