The easiest way to keep up with “…in the service…” is to subscribe to it. That way, like your morning newspaper, this blog will come to you. First thing you have to do is get a newsreader. All that means is you pick out a way for the web to deliver us to you. Personally I use Google Reader, but there are many to choose from, as you’ll see by the list of icons under our Administrivia section in the first right-hand column.

Google Reader is all I know, so we’ll have to use that as the illustration. With Google Reader, what you do is:

• Create a google account so you can get the reader
• On the Reader page, click “Add Subscription”. It’s on the left hand side of the screen.
• Type in “restorativepractice.org/blog”. Better yet, copy and paste it from the blog’s home page or from this message so you don’t go making any typos.
• ta-DAAAAAAAAA!! Now you see a list of “…in the service…” posts that have been posted since you last checked your reader. (And since you just got your reader, it includes every post on the blog. After today, though, it’ll just gather updates.)
• Now, if you want to make it easy to find your reader, click “favorites” (in Internet Explorer). Click “Add To Favorites”. Click “Links”. Name it whatever you want. It’s default name is something like “Google Reader (100+). Voila! Now you’ll have a link to your newsreader right up top of your screen with your toolbars. (Don’t forget to turn on the Links toolbar! You do that by putting your cursor somewhere up in a grey area of your toolbar, right click it and make sure “Links” is checked.)
• Or…make us (or your newsreader) your homepage! Hit “Tool”, “Internet Options” and right up top, they ask what you want your home page to be. Type in the URL or just click “Use Current”.

OK?

I’m new to this stuff too. I’d bet folding money there are more, easier and/or better ways to get “…in the service…”, I just haven’t learned enough about newsreaders, feeds and all that other intimidating bloggy stuff. Anyone with suggestions? Send ‘em in!

You can also email me at cindy@restorativepractice.org and I’ll do my best to help you out if you don’t know anyone geekier.