The Downside of RSS Readers
For awhile now, I’ve been hearing lots of about different RSS readers, and reading different reviews of them. Up until this week, I have not given in to using them. The reader of choice ended up being the Google Reader. Of course there are tons of them alot better than Google Reader, but since I tend to gravitate towards all things Google, I decided to give it a try.
My initial reaction was that it was very easy to use. I liked the simple interface, and how easy it was to get through the different feeds. Since I’m practically addicted to checking my RSS feeds, one full day of using the Google Reader is more than enough time for me to form my opinions on it. Overall, I felt that it was a good product, however, it made me realize even more why I never chose to use them in the past.
I love visiting different websites, especially the ones that I chose to subscribe to. I enjoy getting the vibe of the site design while I read the content. The [obvious] thing about using RSS readers is that you don’t get to have that site experience, because you are only getting the content, unless the author of the sites chooses to only release summaries in the feeds. Being a designer, I understand the work that goes into site design and development, and I feel that all of that work goes to waste when you are just reading through an RSS Reader.
So as convenient as these various RSS readers might be, I am going to choose against them, and go back to visiting sites when I want to read the content.
4 Comments
I am exactly the same John. I used to use feedreader but now I just sites when I feel in the mood to read something. It’s less convinient, but just feels more… right.
Exactly! It just feels more right. I get the feeling that I cheat the designers when I don’t visit their sites.
I just tried out Google Reader today. I like it too and I’m amazed at how fast it is. Newsgator always felt more like Newsturtle to me.
I use an offline reader (Ziepod) since I’m currently not in need of an online one. But I’d definitely go for GR in that case.
As for feeds themselves, I couldn’t do without them anymore. I’ve about 230 now and if I had to manually check them all…
That said, I always have Firefox open and I always click through to the site. It allows people their hits (if they care about that), it makes for easy commenting, and most importantly – and that’s where I’m with you – it gives me a sense of personality about the blog.
Reading posts in a reader is too much like reading e-mail. Also, with 230 feeds, it helps me remember who I’m reading exactly (I recognize the blog like I would a face, whereas in a reader it would be like talking to someone on the phone you can’t remember the name of).
PS: Noticed you on the 9rules notes. For what it’s worth, and from what I’ve read so far, I think you stand a good chance. I’m no expert, though, with my humble blog, but can I say one thing? Try to be a bit more careful about your typing (you mentioned that in another post yourself already).
I know, I’m not a native speaker myself (and barging in here dishing out criticism is not polite), but I’m also an editor and when I read your otherwise excellent post ‘Trying to Brand Myself’, the typos just screamed at me by the numbers.
I hope you don’t take this badly (in which case you may hijack one of my posts with a comment rant), but a quick reread before you submit with the 9rules team might do wonders. They do care about that.
So, sorry for the wordiness (maybe I should have mailed this) and good luck. I’ve certainly subscribed nonetheless.
Napfisk, thanks for the kind words and the quick critique. I need to go ahead and edit that post!
230 feeds!! Wow, I only have about 30-40, but I guess if I had that many feeds, a reader might become necessary. No way I could make it through all of those and still manage to be productive.