A Really Simple Way to Stay Informed
Even if you do not have time to regularly visit
blogs you find useful, you can arrange to have
information on new posts delivered directly
to you. Many blogs utilize Web feeds. The best
known Web feed format is the RSS feed technology
that allows you to automatically receive new
information as it’s posted to the blog.
(RSS stands for “Rich Site Summary”
or “Really Simple Syndication. RSS feeds
are, essentially, an electronic update service
that allows the blog to automatically deliver
information directly to your desktop on a continual
basis. Unlike a newsletter or other traditional
online update service you may be familiar with,
RSS feeds are not delivered via e-mail. To
receive and read RSS feeds, users need to use
specialized
news aggregator software. A newer feed format
is Atom. By monitoring RSS feeds that are closely
related to your areas of practice or interest,
you can quickly keep up to date on any topic
you choose. Because the RSS feed’s information
is automatically sent to you, you’re
freed from having to visit the sites from which
the content originates. This can save you time
that you might otherwise spend surfing to individual
Web sites and waiting for their pages to download.
RSS feeds allow you to control the intervals
at which they receive updates and can even
offer you continual updates without having
to worry about missing a post or publication.
As a result of the rising popularity of RSS,
established news Web sites such as CNN and
the Wall Street Journal are also utilizing
RSS feeds to distribute their information to
readers almost instantly.
So, “How do blogs fit into my search for
facts on the Internet?” you might ask
yourself. For lawyers who represent companies
that manufacture products or provide services
to the public, periodic checking of certain
blogs or subscribing to RSS feeds can also
provide early warnings of product liability
issues or shareholder unrest that could later
lead to individual or class action lawsuits.
Many bloggers include links to breaking news,
magazine stories, or other Web sites that interest
them. Because blogs are updated often (e.g.,
throughout the day), they can be rich sources
of current news or information on a specific
topic.
A more personal blog might give you valuable
information about the opposition or one of
their witnesses—or even your own client.
Have a look at a few of the diary-style blogs
available at some of the sites mentioned below.
You will probably be surprised at the volume
and kinds of information people post about
themselves on the Internet.
One provider of blogging tools, Blogger.com,
suggests that “blogs are also excellent
team/department/company/family communication
tools. They help small groups communicate in
a way that is simpler and easier to follow
than e-mail or discussion forums. Use a private
blog on an intranet to allow team members to
post related links, files, quotes, or commentary.”
Blogs and RSS feeds can be created easily. As
a result, users can access feeds on a variety
of topics—from criminal law to sports,
travel, and technology. On the other hand,
anyone can use a blog and an RSS feed to create
what appears to be an authoritative Web presence.
In short, it still takes a critical mind to
evaluate and investigate the credibility of
any information source, whether it is online
or in print. With this caveat in mind, the
increasing usefulness of blogs and RSS feeds
promises to help make it easier for you to
stay well informed.
Sponsoring Entity:
ABA
Law Practice Management Section
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