What Is an RSS Reader?

An RSS reader is a small software program that collects and displays RSS feeds. It allows you to scan headlines from a number of news sources in a central location.

Where Can I Get an RSS Reader?

There are many RSS news readers (also called aggregators) available for download from the Internet. CDC does not endorse any particular reader. Some browsers such as the current versions of Firefox and Safari as well as some portals like Yahoo offer RSS services for their subscribers.  Here is a listing of some feed readers and news aggregators.*  Some are free to download and others are available for purchase.

How Do I Use RSS Feeds?

The first step is to choose an RSS reader. Each reader has a slightly different way of adding a new feed, also called a “channel.” Follow the directions for your reader but, in most cases, here’s how it works:

* Click on the link or more likely, the small XML button near the feed you want. Once you do so, you will see a page displaying XML code.
Example: Office of Communication Media Relations  XML language icon
* From your web browser’s address bar, copy the URL (web address). For example, the URL you would copy for the Media Relations news is: http://www.cdc.gov/media/rss.xml.
* Paste that URL into the “Add New Channel” or “Add New Feed” section of the reader. The RSS feed will start to display and regularly update the headlines for you.

What other RSS feeds are available in government?

* Other Government RSS Feeds
* Other Government Podcasts

Source: CDC

Save the Date

Fourth National Conference on Health Communication, Marketing, and Media

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is pleased to announce the fourth annual National Conference on Health Communication, Marketing, and Media to be held August 17 - 19, 2010, at the Omni Hotel in Atlanta, GA. This conference brings together individuals representing academia, public health researchers and practitioners from federal and state government and the private sector, and provides a forum for collegial dialogue within and across these disciplines. The conference is an excellent opportunity to meet with colleagues and shape the future of health communication, marketing, and media practice.

Abstract submissions for the 2010 Conference on Health Communication, Marketing and Media will be open in early March 2010. More information regarding the conference will be sent as it becomes available.

I have compiled just a few networks related to educators on just a few social networks. There are sooo many more. But just wanted to wet your appetite. Do you know others that can be added to the list?

Diigo

The Schools United

Facebook Groups

Active Learning-Ways to engage students

Teaching Critical Thinking

Ning
You are going to create your own social network soon, but for now check out some of them
Education
National Middle Schools Association

Montclair NJ Social Network for teachers

My challenge task for you, if you decide to accept it, is to search on Facebook groups with key words for other education related groups. Join them and share your information that can be of help. Also, support their efforts.

Do the same for the Ning groups.

NACCHO is the national organization representing local health departments. NACCHO supports efforts that protect and improve the health of all people and all communities by promoting national policy, developing resources and programs, seeking health equity, and supporting effective local public health practice and systems.

They display a Twitter Follow banner on each page of the site.  So if you have a presence on Twitter be sure to follow them.

I also encourage you to visit their  marketing page. This page has an assortment of communication tools, PSA’a and logos that can by used by local public health agencies.

Of course you will get maximum benefits if your are a member of the organization. But there is a great deal of information accessible on the site as a non-member also.

They have also created a .Facebook page for an upcoming national conference. This is an excellent thing to do if you are on Facebook. You can also create several pages each with a singular focus.

This is a powerfully comprehensive site that will keep growing so keep visiting.

If you know of agencies or organizations that I can showcase please email me rosiehorner(at)gmail.com.

You may obtain the White Paper on Web 2.o now.

Not long ago I was driving my car and saw two young boys riding a bike. One was  pedaling while the other sat on the bar between the seat and the handles. He was the passenger. THEY DID NOT HAVE HELMETS ON THEIR HEADS.

I wish I had pictures with me when I stopped my car, got out and told them in a soft, yet sad voice a story about a young girl’s battle with brain injury that resulted from a bike accident. I graphically shared some of what I saw when I took her grandmother to visit her in the hospital. They listened quietly. I don’t know if their behavior changed. ( I did not have a follow-up form-smile)

Now, I have not talked much about Twitter yet. But it is one of the most powerful social networking sites right now. Many public health and health related non-profits are on Twitter.

Recently, I saw one of the most engaging images in the Twitter background of The Brain Injury Association of New Jersey. Now, some may say it was much too scary. But, others will say it depends on what you must do to capture the attention of your target markets.

The point is that social media provides an avenue to reach your market with your specific health messages. It will mean using more than plain text but images that YOU FEEL will make an impact.

The link above takes you to their Twitter handle so you can follow them. However, look at their profile and visit their site.

What do you think?