Since Google Reader is a tool we at the Eccles Library have recommended using for RSS feeds in the past, we wanted to make sure you, our patrons, are aware of this and provide some options.  Here are the four Google Reader alternatives that I have seen suggested the most:

Feedly – https://www.feedly.com/
NewsBlur – http://www.newsblur.com/
The Old Reader – http://theoldreader.com/
NetVibes – http://www.netvibes.com/

You can find overviews and comments about these and other RSS tools in posts on Gizmodo and The Verge. If none of those work for you, there are plenty of other options, including ones that make your RSS feed look like a Star Wars movie opening or a Star Trek computer display.

Basic information about retrieving your Google Reader data before July 1st can be found on the Google support page. For more information about how to transfer your data and feeds from Google Reader to your new reader, try this Lifehacker post.

Personally, I have been trying out Feedly for the last few weeks.  This is one of the easier transitions because Feedly pulls your RSS subscriptions directly from your Google Reader account.  I have found that after tweaking some of the preferences, I feel pretty comfortable using it and am no longer quite so devastated about losing Google Reader. I have tried the Chrome and Firefox plugins, as well as the iPhone and iPad apps.  I think I even like the mobile apps a little better than using Google Reader on my iPhone.

Which RSS reader are you using?

ORCID is a free tool that allows you to gather together the outputs of your research under one unique identifier. It will give you the ability to make sure that the articles, data sets, etc. that you published are the ones attributed you, and are linked together.

“ORCID aims to solve the name ambiguity problem in research and scholarly communications by creating a central registry of unique identifiers for individual researchers and an open and transparent linking mechanism between ORCID and other current researcher ID schemes. These identifiers, and the relationships among them, can be linked to the researcher’s output to enhance the scientific discovery process and to improve the efficiency of research funding and collaboration within the research community.” http://about.orcid.org/about/what-is-orcid/mission

Currently, ORCID only supports published works, but in the future it will expand to include grant and patent information, as well as a list of institutional affiliations.

Visit the ORCID website for more information and to register for an ID.

We recently started a month-long trial of Data Citation Index and we want to know what you think. So check it out and send feedback, either through the survey linked below, or by emailed your comments directly to abby.adamczyk@utah.edu

Data Citation Index Trial: http://wok2trial.isitrial.com.ezproxy.lib.utah.edu/UofUtah/client.cgi
Database Trial Survey: http://campusguides.lib.utah.edu/survey.php?survey_id=2354
More information about Data Citation Index: http://wokinfo.com//products_tools/multidisciplinary/dci/

PMC has introduced PubReader, an easier way to read PMC articles on the web. The text is displayed as two columns which mimics the pages of a book. The navigation is simplified and all the figures are accessible from anywhere within article. Designed to improve display on the smaller screens of tablet devices, it also looks great on a computer. Although they have not finished testing, PubReader is supported on most browsers.

Try it out on some of the recent PMC articles published by University of Utah researchers.

To view an article in PubReader, use the PubReader links found under the article information in the search results:

Or on the top right of the article page under “Formats:”

On Wednesday, December 5th from 4pm-5pm in room 2600 of the Health Sciences Education Building, the Spencer S. Eccles Health Sciences Library presents Appy Hour!

Appy Hour will focus on apps for various mobile devices that you can use for your work, your research, and more.  Bring along your own iPad, Android tablet, smart phone, or other mobile device and share your favorite and most useful apps.  Invite your colleagues and learn about the apps they are using!

Appy Hour Announcement

Tuesday Oct 23rd:

Publishing SMART: How to Make Your Article Visible
Instructors: Allyson Mower, Marriott Library and Abby Adamczyk, Eccles Library
1 to 3 pm, Marriott Library, Room 1009
Register Here
Authors want their scholarly articles to be seen, cited and utilized. This class provides opportunities for researchers to increase their visibility by exploring various publishing and archiving choices. Tools for evaluating journal impact factors, online usage, local online availability, retaining copyrights, and submission to online archives are covered.
(If you cannot make this session, there will be another on Monday Dec. 3rd at the Eccles Health Sciences Library)

Wednesday Oct 24th:

The Social Impact of Research: New Modes of Scholarship and New Ways of Publishing
Presenters: Dr. Johan Bollen, Indiana University-Bloomington and Mr. Roger Schonfeld, Ithaka S+R
U of U Panelists: Jose Crespo, Biology; Rob Gehl, Communication; Randy Irmis, NHMU/Geology & Geophysics
2 pm to 4 pm, Marriott Library, Gould Auditorium
This year’s keynote address will provide insight into the world of scholarly communications and will include a panel of University of Utah authors who will share their experiences publishing in open access journals and how it affected their readership.
Check out the Marriott Library OA Week blog post for more information.

Thursday Oct 25th:

USpace at Seven: Shaping and Sustaining the U’s Institutional Repository
Presenters: Lisa Chaufty, Donald Williams, Kinza Masood, Sarah LeMire, Allyson Mower (Marriott Library)
2 to 3 pm, Marriott Library, Room 1150
During Open Access Week 2010, we celebrated USpace’s fifth birthday. Two years have flown by. Come and hear how the University of Utah’s open access digital repository has continued to develop and grow. Presenters will discuss recent projects, new content development streams, and areas of future growth.