automaticable

I try to keep up to date on a lot of different topics, and there is no better way to cover massive amounts of information than through blogs. I taught you before about how and why RSS feeds are so important, and now I’ll give you a rundown of a few of my favorite blogs to help fill up your RSS reader. Like I said, I try to cover a lot of topics every day, so I’ll break down my recommendations by subject as best I can.

Advertising – Even if you aren’t in the advertising biz, there is still a lot of interesting information out there. I recommend:

• Adland - Adland receives submissions of both commercials and image advertising and puts the best on display. This is a great place to see the hard work and the resulting concepts from advertisers all over the world. No industry is excluded, so you will see ads for pepper spray next to commercials for vodka.

• SEO Book – This one definitely comes to down to personal interest, but I love reading about SEO news and tips and SEO Book is a great place to learn. Obviously the motivation for Aaron Wall to write this blog is to sell his book and subscriptions online, but he puts out a ton of free, useful information all the time.

Food – Though I don’t often cook large extravagant meals for myself, I still like to inspire myself to try new things. My favorite food blog is:

• FXcuisine – François-Xavier (FX) is an amature cook and food photographer, but you would never know he wasn’t being paid to do this work. Hailing from the shores of Lake Geneva, he focuses on traditional Italian, French, and Swiss cuisine, though you will find influences from all over Europe in his work. The reason I absolutely love this food blog is not for the recipes since they are fairly difficult and usually use obscure ingredients, but because of the absolutely beautiful photography and the step by step instructions included for every dish he makes.

Geeky – I definitely have a geeky side, and it shows in my choice of blogs. Almost half of what I read is tech related! Below are just a handful of blogs that satisfy my geek-tooth.

• Google Blogoscoped – While not an official Google blog, Blogoscoped comes darn close. This blog is a great way to not only get up to date Google news, but also tips and tricks on all of your favorite Google products.

• Gizmodo – This is simply a fantastic source for gadget news and reviews. Though it can be inundating with over 35 posts a day on average, it is easy to skim through and read what really catches your eye. Coupled with Engadget, you will never miss a single gadget announcement, ever.

• xkcd – While not a blog per-se, I still have this daily comic imported into my RSS reader. If you have even an ounce of geek in you, you will absolutely love xkcd comics. They are clever, witty, and downright nerdy. I have never felt so smart for laughing at a comic. Don’t worry though, there are comics you won’t even understand, meaning there are people out there nerdier than you.

Interesting/Random – The rest of these blogs don’t fit into one category very well, but are all worth reading. They will teach you things you never knew you needed to know, all while entertaining you.

• Lifehacker – No single blog has changed my life more than Lifehacker. I am not exaggerating when I say that either. It focuses on “life hacks” you can use to make your life more fun, productive, and efficient. From high-tech hacks such as Linux installation guides to ultra low-tech hacks on how to help conserve water, Lifehacker has everything you will ever need to know. If I had to recommend one blog that every person should be reading, Lifehacker would be it.

• Clusterflock – Clusterflock is considered a group-blog, written by a large team of blogging friends. It has no real focus but is always entertaining. Many of my posts on automaticable have spawned from ideas on Clusterflock and I expect to find even more inspiration from there in the future. They also often comment on posts by Jason Kottke, who is one of my favorite bloggers right now as well.

• Marginal Revolution – Marginal Revolution is an economics blog. Before you judge it, give it a try. Included is the continuing series “Markets in Everything,” which covers how people will try to start businesses in everything from wigs for cats to demilitarized ICBM silos, and the ongoing discussion about how prostitution, both legal and illegal, effects the world economically. This blog will make you look at the world differently, forcing you to take a look at the economic effects of every decision that is made.

These are only a handful of the blogs I read daily (there are over 40 on my list!), but this should be a great place for you to start. Have I missed any blogs you feel should absolutely be included? Let me know in the comments. I am ALWAYS looking for new and interesting blogs to read.