So, in this post, an audio post, I talk about, well, posting audio instead of writing…and a big update about life, work, dogs, ferrets, etc.
Download: 5-22-14-aubreypwd.com.wav.mp3
Google Reader, Netvibes, Podcasts, Feedly…oh my!
So I wasn’t totally devastated when Google Reader decided to go under, I mean, I rarely load it up anyways…and I usually only visit, what, five feeds? They’re in my “Favorites” folder and it’s pure convenience. I’d rather just bookmark a site and check it out from time to time anyways. The design and layout of a Website really bring out the person blogging, and I like that (for example, MATT MULLENWEG) over loading up Email looking applications. But, the decision to take down Google Reader did have a slight affect on me in one area: Podcasts!
Podcasts
First, let me explain that I have a problem with getting information from Websites feed into a newsreader. You miss out on the Website! It’s a piece of art and someone *cough* designs those layouts for you. But, I don’t feel Podcasts are the same, here’s why. With a Podcasts you’re essentially an ongoing album of audio content, or at least that’s the way I feel. Yeah, some site’s design nice sites to wrap your listening experience in, but because of the nature of “listening” to a post instead of reading it, I want to hear it on my phone, or tablet, or computer, or whatever overgrown toaster I have in front of me. I also don’t want to go zooming and swishing around a poorly-designed site for a downloadable or stream-able audio file. Plus, how people embed audio content is a mess right now and who know what-what works, right? I guess I’m being a bit of a hypocrite but I just don’t like consuming podcasts using typical Web pages.
Move em out!
So, I did need someplace to place my overgrown subscription of feeds (that I don’t really use anyhow). I’ve been experimenting with Feedly for awhile, but I just haven’t become comfortable with it. But, for now, that’s where they’re staying. I did also import my subscriptions to Netvibes and I’d have to say it’s the best “reading” alternative there is…if you’re looking for the closest thing to Google Reader.
But, I’m still on the hunt for a good Podcast tool that works and syncs on all my devices and gives me a simple list of new items like in Google Reader. I’d like to stream most of the time but download for road trips as well.
WPKeyMe
WPKeyMe is a small WordPress plugin that I created at Excion to require a secret key that is passed via the URL, like http://example.com/post-title/?key=[string]. This allows you to protect posts, pages, and other content in WordPress without having to request a password, just include it in the URL.
There is also a fancy Widget on the editor you can use to customize the key, etc.
Check out WPKeyMe on Bitbucket and the WordPress Repo
/Camp
I’m would like to announce the launch of a new venture at Excion —/Camp.
/Camp (slash camp) is an endeavor to offer classes at the Excion headquarters for North Scottsdalians wanting to learn how to do new things from people who work with the Web everyday. It’s part of our effort to build communities around Excion and get people excited about the new things we are looking forward to doing.
I will personally be teaching the workshops, and our first one is going to be next month! It’s a free class, but donations will help us keep the class going. You also get a little more when you donate!
Learn to watch your response
“Learn to watch your response. When something stressful happens, what is your response? Some people jump into action — though if the stressful situation is another person, sometimes action can be harmful. Others get angry, or overwhelmed. Still others start to feel sorry for themselves, and wish things were different. Why can’t other people behave better? Watch this response — it’s an important habit.” - The 7 Habits of Calmness, Leo Babauta
Experienced this today at the park. Someone was being unnecessarily rude, and I sprung into action, without even thinking about how I was going to respond. I responded very poorly. Need to remember this everyday!