Sharing Is Caring

Internet geniuses are always coming up with new things for us to do, and they usually fall into one of two categories: things that waste time and things that save time. I’m involved in enough of both that I think I’m probably about even right now as far as time goes.

In the Time Waster category:

I got started on Twitter and Facebook after some gentle nudging from others, and now I’m connecting with so many people, it’s not even funny. (well, maybe a little funny)

In the Time Saver category:

Just a few short months ago I started messing around with using Google Reader to keep better track of which of the blogs I read were publishing new stuff, and it truly has changed my life (and saved SO MUCH TIME).

Well, I’m getting into something new (sort of; it’s an offshoot of Reader), and I can’t decide if it’s a Time Waster or a Time Saver.

You see, Google Reader doesn’t only keep track of your feed subscriptions: no, no, no. You can also follow (and be followed by) other people–hopefully your friends–and you can read posts that your friends have shared in *their* reader, and vice versa. In other words, if I read a post that I would want to definitely pass on to others, I click (in Reader) “Share”, and it automatically adds it to a list. The people who have subscribed to my shared items will get it in their Reader (next to my name, so they know who shared it).

To find your friends who are using reader, click “Sharing settings” in the “People you follow” section in the left margin. It’s pretty self-explanatory from there. (By the way, if you want to find me and you don’t have my e-mail address, hover your cursor over the “E-mail me!” link in my left margin; there it is!)

Got all that? No? Well, you’re in luck because I found this video:

So anyway, I’m not sure if I’m wasting time by using this feature because I’m reading more blog posts, or if I’m saving time because I get to read my friends’ favorite posts without having to sift through everything on the internet for great stuff. Check it out for yourself and let me know what you think!

By the way, if all of that wasn’t enough for you, check out Tara’s post on how, through Google Reader, she found the End of the Internet!

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11 Comments

  • Tara R.

    Thanks for the shout out… truly 'great minds.' I can't believe I waited so long to use a Reader. But, I think the time I save is completely offset by the time given over to Twitter.

  • NYC Girl

    The Reader scares me!LOL! No seriously I added a few blogs and it seems so confusing.

    I will try it again since you gave it shout out! Oh by the way I made my blog open to all so maybe you should be able to add it to this reader of yours 🙂

  • PJ Mullen

    Google Reader rocks, recently I've become a total Google evangelist. I think they put something in my Diet Coke when I wasn't looking.

  • S3XinthePantry

    I was going to set the google reader…but I wasn't sure if it was just another 'thing' like the networks on hotmail / yahoo / twitter / fb… it seems like everything is linked to everything.. I should look for that end of the internet post -ha!

    If it saves time I will probably try it – this weekend!

  • Michelle

    So should I feel even more insulted then that you haven't visited me lately? I'm even doing the go big or go home thing a bunch 😉

    I can't do the Google Reader thing. I follow the blogs in the blogger follower thing and that shows me the updated one. The reader scares me. Yikes, this is even scarier!

    So no first day pictures though? I want to hear more about the brand new high school!

  • Heather

    Trust me, it's a HUGE time suck but MAN I love it 🙂 The google "share" feature is my NEW FAVORITE TOY!

    😉

  • Otter Thomas

    Reader is nice but it is making me crazy. Every time I look I have missed hundreds of posts. I follow too many, but I am trying.

  • surprised mom

    There's always something new to learn. I think I'll try Google Reader to see what everyone else knows.

    I miss Twitter and FB and even blogging since I now work six days a week and really streamline my time. Hopefully,Google Reader will help.