Thing #8 RSS
To benefit from a RssReader or NewsReader one has to create an account with one of the available services on the net.  RSS in Plain English which is one of the resources for learning this exercise is a good source of information on what RSS or Newsreader is and how feeds can be added to a NewsReader.  As directed I first created an account with Bloglines, and then I subscribed to some feeds from different categories.  When creating an account with Bloglines, your account automatically comes with some feeds by MerchantCircle which now owns Bloglines.  Also, feeds from a lot of different categories are offered to you by Bloglines to be added to your feeds.  Making use of the Edit feature of your account, makes it possible to tailor your account based on your choices.  As most of the links on the Discovery Resource are not functioning any more, I searched the net and found the following website as a helpful source of information to answer most of my questions about Bloglines.  http://www.bloglines.com/help/faq/.
I think using a newsreader saves a lot of time, as one will be able to read all the updated contents of their favorite websites under one account.  I will try to finish the optional part of this exercise later which requires me to make my feeds public, and it needs me to have some more time to accomplish it.

Thing # 7 

My IPAD 
 It reminds me of Steve Jobs any time I come across one of the cool features of this device.  A device developed based on many familiar features already available in computers and its descendants.  To make a full use of many of its features, one has to create an account with Apple.  Free Apps can be downloaded from the App Store.  Internet connection, downloading books and audiobooks, watching videos and movies, listening to music, YouTube connection, playing games, finding directions on the map, creating contact lists, calendar, emailing, and many more features which add to its educational as well as entertaining values have all become possible through the invention of this small, state of the art, portable, and touch-based tablet named IPAD.  I am happy to be able to carry it, and have the comfort of using it anywhere with wireless connection.    

Thing # 6

A beautiful plant in Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD, a photo by Farideh's favorite pictures. on Flickr.

To have some Flickr fun I downloaded this picture from my personal photographs on my computer to Flickr ( Photograph taken by my husband), tagged it, added some descriptions, and used the mapper to identify the location of the Brookside Gardens.  I am willing to come back to Flickr assignment to do some more creative works later; for now I have exceeded my allotted time of 45 minutes to spend on this assignment already.

Explore Flickr

Thing # 5
This thing is about exploring Flickr.  This is an interesting site with extensively huge capacities.  I first searched the site to get acquainted with it, then I learned about the features that the site offers. When you sign up with Flickr, the possibilities to organize your pictures,  share them with your friends, or create interesting things using Flickr's capabilities are endless.  One can search the picture collection to view the pictures which are set as to be seen by PUBLIC without creating an account.  This can be the best activity for someone with a lot of time and patience to entertain themselves. 

 

Thing # 4
I sent my blog's URL to Kate.  Learning 2.0 is a good experience.

Thing # 3
I have already set up my blog and have put two posts.  For this section I would like to go ahead and just install the link to a web page on the Internet.  Please click on the link to go to the page.


 DUMBARTON OAKS

Thing # 2
 7 & 1/2 Habits for Lifelong Learners: 

Lifelong learning is a part of librarianship.  Learning has become easier and more interesting  through the new learning tools, including the internet, which is definitely in the center of my tool box. Teaching and mentoring helps one to refine his/her own knowledge and increases the confidence. Playing lets the learner test things and may lead to discovering new things as well.  I like all the recommended points.