Photograph Credit: Wikipedia

In Part 1 of this series, RSS was explained. Then in Part 2, detailed instructions were given to setup your own Google Reader. Here in Part 3, I will include two different ways to ADD SUBSCRIPTIONS or web sites to your Google Reader.

If you completed the steps in Part 2, then you have a Google Reader with only 3-4 introductory posts and no current subscriptions. To begin adding subscriptions, sign in to your Google Reader.

1. In your Internet browser (Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, etc.), type  www.google.com.
2. At the home page, sign in with your e-mail address and password, and click SIGN IN.
3. Your Google Reader may reappear. If it does not, then choose READER from the menu bar, i.e., mail, calendar, documents, photos, reader, etc. The menu bar is located above the words GOOGLE READER.

As you look at your Google Reader, scan the left sidebar to the bottom where SUBSCRIPTIONS is listed. At this point, this section is empty, but I will show you two ways to add subscriptions to your Reader. One is using the ADD SUBSCRIPTION button at the top of the left sidebar in your Google Reader, and the other is subscribing through the RSS feed icon on a favorite web site. Both methods work equally well, and I use both methods. If you are logged in to your Google Reader, then let’s add a subscription.

Add Subscription from Google Reader

1. Locate and click the gray button stating ADD SUBSCRIPTION on the left sidebar of your Google Reader page.
2. Type usingtimewisely.com in the box and click add.
3. You have now have Using Time Wisely added to your subscriptions.

If you have other web sites where you know the URL or web site address, then you can add them here. If you are not sure of the exact web site address, then you can subscribe using the second method – through the web site.

Add Subscription from Web Site

1. Locate your favorite web site. For this example, I will use Becentsable (a favorite site that hosts THE GROCERY GATHERING which is a list of all sales and coupon matchups organized by city and state). Since I was directed to another site when searching Becentsable.com, I found the site through the Swag Bucks search engine. (You can use Google, Yahoo, etc.) I clicked on the link and was directed to the correct web site which is Becentsable.net. (Now I can cut and paste this address into the ADD SUBSCRIPTION button in my Reader, or I can add from the site.)
2. While on the site, I locate and click the RSS icon. On Becentsable’s site, the icon is located on the right hand side at the top of the page.
3. I am directed to a page to choose my reader of choice. I locate and click on GOOGLE which takes me back to my reader.
4. Back at your Google Reader page, click on SUBSCRIBE under YOU ARE NOT SUBSCRIBED YET in the center column.
5. Once you SUBSCRIBE, then BECENTSABLE will appear below Using Time Wisely in your subscription category on your left sidebar.
6. You can now continue to add your favorite web sites to your Google Reader. To read all the new posts, scroll down the center column.

CONGRATULATIONS! You now have subscriptions in your Google Reader. Now when you need to catch up, you can log in to your Google Reader and scroll through the posts. You are on your way to saving time and energy while staying connected. Come back next week for some customizing options to improve your reader experience.

Photograph Credit: Wikipedia

Our topic last week included defining and explaining the RSS which will be a huge timesaver for those who read multiple blogs and web sites. If you want to use your time wisely while keeping up-to-date, then let’s setup a reader to accept all the RSS from your favorite web sites.

There are a number of readers from which to choose, e.g., Yahoo, Newsgator, Bloglines, and many more. My reader of choice is Google which I have used for a few years without any problem. Since I highly recommend Google Reader, I will show you here how to setup your own account.

STEP ONE: Log in to your Google Account.

Do you have a Google account?

• If yes, then log in to your account and proceed to step 2. (If you have a GMAIL account, e.g., mywebsite@gmail.com, then you have a Google account.) Go to www.google.com, enter your e-mail address and password, and click SIGN IN.
• If no, then no worries, you can get an account for free. Just follow these instructions:

TO SET UP A GOOGLE ACCOUNT:

1. In your Internet browser, type in www.google.com.
2. On the home page, click the “SIGN IN” link in the top right corner.
3. When directed to GOOGLE ACCOUNTS page, click on CREATE AN ACCOUNT NOW on the right side under DON’T HAVE A GOOGLE ACCOUNT?
4. At the CREATE AN ACCOUNT page, fill out the form, and click I ACCEPT. CREATE MY ACCOUNT.
5. You should then see ACCOUNT CREATED. PLEASE VERIFY YOUR CURRENT EMAIL ADDRESS. You can either click to button to verify your e-mail or click on the REQUEST AN EMAIL VERIFICATION. Be sure to verify your account in one of these two ways to proceed.
6. After you receive the EMAIL ADDRESS VERIFIED message, then double-click on CLICK HERE TO MANAGE YOUR ACCOUNT PROFILE. You will be directed to the GOOGLE ACCOUNTS page. Your login name will appear in the top right of the page. Now proceed to STEP TWO.

STEP TWO: Add your Reader.

1. Once logged in, click on your e-mail address in the top right corner of the page.
2. Select ACCOUNT SETTINGS from the drop down list.
3. On the GOOGLE ACCOUNTS page, scroll down to TRY SOMETHING NEW, and click on MORE >>.
4. Don’t get overwhelmed with all the options. Just scroll down about halfway, and locate READER under SOCIAL on the left column. Click on READER.
5. Your GOOGLE READER will open with new 3-5 items for your review.

STEP THREE: Checking your Reader.

Now, when you close out of Google or restart your computer, here is how to navigate back to your Google Reader:

1. In your Internet browser (Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, etc.), type www.google.com.
2. At the home page, sign in with your e-mail address and password, and click SIGN IN.
3. Your Google Reader may reappear. If it does not, then choose READER from the menu bar, i.e., mail, calendar, documents, photos, reader, etc. The menu bar is located above the words GOOGLE or GMAIL.

CONGRATULATIONS! You now have a Google account with your Reader activated. I’m proud of you! You are on your way to using your time wisely while reading your favorite web sites. Though your account may be empty now, next week I’ll show you how to add your favorite web sites to your reader.