Real simple stuff

RSS what is it?

I had no idea what these curvy caps stood for but I'd seen them everywhere on so many websites, and now I know how to use them and what they mean (real simple syndication). Why open up multiple pages to grab your daily fix of news, goss or trivia, when you use a newsreader which grabs all that info for you in just one spot! It's a multi-tasking tool!

I've subscribed to RSS feeds from Powells (the best bookstore in the world), KEXP (the best radio station in the world), ABC news, humorous newspaper the Onion, and crafty magazine ReadyMade. So now I can have a chuckle, be informed of the goings on and work out how to create a yoga mat bag from a pair of slacks in 15 minutes flat.

I'm a regular user of wikipedia, but I was really surprised by the breadth and amount of wikis that have been created. It's such a useful communication tool especially for professions such as my own (conservation) which are small in number but rely so much on cross communication and collaboration with professional colleagues. It's always nice to have a little community.

Here's an awesome wiki created by the book conservators of New York City

I especially like the food sign up table for events. Conservators are pretty much obsessed with food.

I have been lax with my blogging and learning 2.0 lessons, but I'm now back from my North American trip refreshed with energy anew. One of my favourite pastimes (other than travel) is eating delicious food which is why I have chosen this picture (from clearly ambiguous) to depict the value of "energy and teamwork" I'm really attracted to the vibrant colours and of course the sugar.

Bears

I'm heading off to Alaska in a couple of weeks and have received so many warnings about bears! The chances of me actually seeing or being attacked by a bear are slim but I must admit I was slightly perturbed by this item in the Herald today.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/she-whispered-bear-then-line-went-dead/2008/06/30/1214677888801.html

I think I'll be getting those bear bells.