I read this post, as I read all my library 'blogs, via my aggregator. I use Bloglines - it took me about two minutes to set up an account, and takes me about 10 seconds (and 3-4 mouseclicks) to subscribe to a new feed (go to web page, right click on XML button, click copy link location, click back to Bloglines, paste the link into the 'subscribe' box and press enter). This is not rocket science. Sure, the arcana of RSS takes a little longer to learn, but I bet most librarians could learn to use Bloglines or something similar in about 5 minutes.

I already said what I have to say about the topic so I won't re-hash my arguments here. Steven's retort is fair and balanced (excuse the cliche),and I appreciate his thoughtful comments. These are the exact points I would expect him to make. Just two things. Keep in mind that my piece is for a specific audience - those who are only fleetingly familar (or not at all) with blogs, RSS, etc. I've been informally asking local colleagues about these technologies and virtually all do not know what I'm talking about. I'd like to see these folks taking steps to become more knowledgeable - and in time they will know more about these technologies and perhaps decide to use them. But they need to start with something pretty non-technical - such as email newsletters - before jumping to something like Bloglines - because that still requires you to know you need to get there URL of the RSS feed. Seems easy, but not everyone gets this stuff. So I want those folks to know they have options that don't require picking up on the new jargon. Or else they won't start at all.

Second, personally I have no problem with RSS and use both Bloglines (which says it will be adding an email alert) and Bloglet to track RSS feeds (though I don't quite consider them aggregators (not clear if Simon is confusing them - if so - it goes to show it's not all that simple). I find it a convenient way to follow blogs - especially non-library ones - but I don't think lots of folks are ready for this. And the bottom line is - you probably don't need it if you are looking to keep up with basic library news, events and developments. And if this is all (RSS and aggregators) you do to get your news - you'll miss lots of other things that aren't available in RSS format yet. Some things still only come by e-mail - and some require a web-page change detection service. The folks who are really intent on keeping up will use them all - along with RSS feeds.

I would re-state that for the great majority of librarians these services are not yet ready for prime-time, but like many early technologies, they probably will be in time. For now, I don't think librarians need to be made to feel like they are missing out (or technologically out of the loop) if they don't jump on this bandwagon.

Hmmm, it seems to me that the "great majority of librarians" are notorious for grasping onto a technology only as it begins its descent into obsolescence. Too little, much too late. The goal of learning about syndication and RSS is not simply to acquire a bleeding-edge means to keep current with library news; it's about thinking forwardly with regard to how information is produced, sought and used. Which is to say, it's about being an information professional.

Librarians need to be ahead of the curve, not lagging behind it. The sort of inertial mentality (from many librarians, not necessarily Mr. Bell) that has us learning about email newsletters at this late stage is indicative of why libraries consistently teeter on the brink of extinction. We need to anticipate, manage and espouse change, not wait for it to be "ready for prime-time." The gaining momentum of syndication forebodes a noteworthy shift in the way information is accessed and used online. Librarians would do well to be familiar with it, whether it proves useful to their personal info-seeking behavior or not.

Having spewed accordingly, I'll add that Bloglines is most definitely "a server-based RSS aggregation system."

When one is familiar with a technology, it can be really easy to say "it's the best thing ever" and not be able to work out why others don't get it. I once tried to teach myself C and couldn't do it. And that's fine, because I know how to do other things.

RSS reminds me a little of the e-book thing. I know a lot of people who jumped on that, wrote a lot of papers, specialised as being an e-book expert, and have now been burned as they were largely a failure.

That's not to say RSS will fail, but I don't think we should put our eggs in one basket. RSS is a wonderful thing, and we should be continually working to see how best to use it in libraries for our patrons and our own professional development, along with all the other technologies out there. So some people don't know how to use RSS, that's ok, maybe they have expertise in virtual reference. We all have different strengths and different opinions.

Steven you mention download being a dirty word - remember in 1995 that the goal of the Internet was to have web based applications and we would never need to download anything (or at least, that's what Java was supposed to do)? We seem to be moving further and further away from that goal. I download more and more little apps than ever that would work just as well as part of a browser or server-side. Plus of course, I can't introduce RSS to my library's patrons as I can't install any software at work. So web based is goooood. I'm going to sign up for bloglines for work feeds and install zvonfeeds on my website for other feeds.

Why do people feel like they need to learn about a new technology before they use it? People don't have to know html or how to write the code for a web browser in order to use the web.

Speaking only for myself, I do not tend to be very good at reading directions (even if it is only a 4 page long article) about new technology before I get the urge to just jump in and start using it. It was pretty simple to download a couple of aggregators, look for the little orange xml or rss buttons, find some feeds and get started. I'm not yet at the point where I'm reading everything via RSS that I could, but I'm sure I'll get there eventually.

It is not to hard to imagine a time when we might have to help someone out at the reference desk by having a little background knowledge about rss feed discovery tools like feedster vs syndic8.

For me e-mail newsletters as a way of keeping current are just not a priority because I want to keep current in a variety of topics. There aren't enough e-mail newsletters that can keep me updated on library blogs, library instruction, book reviews, anime, and whatever warren ellis happens to be thinking at the moment. My e-mail box is so flooded with listserv messages, I don't want to add a group of newsletters to wade through when I have the option to set up and maintain my own individualized current awareness service about whatever I might be interested in via RSS.

There's nothing wrong with being a cheerleader for new technology!
Actually, at this point, RSS is getting old, what's next?

: )

Steven: yes, I was talking about Bloglines - I consider it an aggregator, just a web-based one rather than desktop based. Possibly that's incorrect terminology, but it fulfils the same functions as a desktop-based aggregator, so might as well call it by the same name. It works for me, and I think anyone else could learn to use it too.

First: Jeeze this damn comment thing is a major pain in the ass to read and use!

Steven M. Cohen is already familiar with my feelings on RSS, so here's a good place to share with others. For me, RSS is a way to PUSH content. I use it as a creator, rather than a consumer. Through LISFeeds and LISNews it sends stuff out to people.
For me that's all RSS is good for. If I am reading the news I'm not just "keeping up" I'm hunting for something new. I'm looking for news that seems interesting. I want all the raw news I can get (raw meaning it hasn't been filtered through blogs, not raw like, well you know) since the idea is LISNews is a place to share and report on things, I shouldn't be looking for things that you can just read somewhere else. That's not to say I avoid things I read other places, though now that I think about it, I really don't read many other blogs.
Steven M. Cohen and Steven Bell both raise good points, though I might say "Librarians should put some new technologies on a pedestal" but how we can figure out which ones will be winners, and which losers is anyones guess, remember pointcast? Though, all wasn't implied there, it's important we don't jump on things too quickly, which is what I think Bell was saying.
I do think I doubt the typical librarian needs to invest the time required to learn how to implement some technologies. If we are a bunch of old near retirement baby boomers just coasting through the last few years of our careers, then we are worse off than if we are jumping on every new thing that comes along.