Can anyone recommend an RSS reader?

[pdstein]

I'm looking for an RSS feed reader to recommend to our visitors. The important factors are.

1) It must be free
2) It must be easy to install and use

I installed SharpReader at someone else's recommendation and found it required .NET stuff to be installed, which was kind of a pain in the butt. I was able to do it, but I am concerned that many of my less tech-savy visitors would not be able to. So, if there's an RSS reader that does not require .NET, that would be ideal.

- Paul

[Stecyk]

Hi pdstein,

My first recommendation is Newsgator:

http://www.newsgator.com/Home.aspx

It's a free web service. I highly recommend this service because you can aggregate all your feeds into one location. Later, if you want to go to a paid version, my best recommendation is Feeddemon (http://www.feeddemon.com/) which works with and is owned by Newsgator.

Second choices include Bloglines (http://www.bloglines.com/) and My Yahoo (http://my.yahoo.com/s/about/rss/), both of which are free. Both are web based services. Also Google Desktop (http://desktop.google.com/) allows you to pull in RSS feeds.

So I have given you several web service choices, one installation (google desktop), and my preferred solution (though paid) Feeddemon.

I hope one of those works for you.

Best regards,
Kevin

[pdstein]

Kevin,

Thanks for your reply. Just to clarify, NewsGator, Bloglines, and Yahoo are web-based, while the Google Desktop runs on your PC? And Google also has a web-based reader, right?

I hadn't really considered a web-based reader. I would guess the pros of a web-based reader are that it's easier to set-up and get started because their's no software to download and install. I would guess the downside is that as with web-based email some functionality is not there. No drag and drop capability, no periodic checks with a audio or visual indicator of when new articles are available. Does that pretty much sum it up?

- Paul

[Stecyk]

Hi,


Just to clarify, NewsGator, Bloglines, and Yahoo are web-based, while the Google Desktop runs on your PC? Yes, correct.

As far as functionality, Newsgator does allow for drag and drop. I use Feeddemon and Newsgator combination. The web based services do indicate new articles through periodic checks of your RSS feeds. You can readily see the new items. Another benefit, if you switch PCs or travel, you are always current with your articles.

I hope this helps.

Best regards,
Kevin