Say it ain't so Google!

[lothar]

I tried using RSS once or twice. It was a hot mess. Absolutely nothing I couldn't be better served by logging into the actual site and taking a couple minutes to catch up on my own with.

This. I never got the fascination of RSS feeds.

 

[pcslookout]

This. I never got the fascination of RSS feeds.

Same here.

 

[Sluggo]

This. I never got the fascination of RSS feeds.

I never did either until I started using an RSS feed for specific craigslist searches when looking for a new car.

Now I have all kinds of almost realtime CL searches delivered all to one spot for me.

 

[Fayd]

This. I never got the fascination of RSS feeds.

try watching several hundred sites with intermittent updating.

 

[Sheep]

I tried using RSS once or twice. It was a hot mess. Absolutely nothing I couldn't be better served by logging into the actual site and taking a couple minutes to catch up on my own with.

I'd love to see someone try to download content from dozens of sites with the press of one button for offline reading like I do on my train commute to work every single work day. My commute includes tunnels where internet access is non-existent.

I am so happy google reader is going away.

It sucked anyway. Plus there are better alternatives out there.

So let's hear them. What do you suggest? Any recommendation has to sync up multiple devices (PC, phone, tablet) and work offline or else it fails as a replacement for me.

 

[MonKENy]

have you tried google currents?

Its alot like it. Give it a shot and see what you think.

 

[Murloc]

I've never used it. I have my feeds in the favourites bar on firefox. With firefox you can also transfer everything to all devices with Sync if that's your issue. Of course, you won't be able to access the feeds from a public computer this way, but I bet that most people use only 3 computers (including phones) that they have control over 99% of the time.
If you have dozens of feeds it's unpractical but how can you even pass through all those titles to pick what interests you?

 

[kag]

Why wouldn't you want a desktop client? Thunderbird is available for every major desktop architecture, and I'm sure there's several good clients for Android. That way you, the user controls software, and not some company that doesn't give a shit about you.

Because I can use Google Reader on several computers / devices without reading the same thing twice. I check Google Reader on my iPad while eating breakfast, on my laptop when working and on my iPhone when I'm on the go and bored.

 

[Wyndru]

Great, I use this daily.

 

[Viper GTS]

Google Reader is basically the center of my web use, this is going to be a major adjustment.

I was a bit late to the RSS party, I started using Reader in July 2009 so when it goes down it will be almost exactly 4 years. I've read a nearly a quarter million posts, & the seamless integration between mobile & web + simple, purposeful interface were absolutely perfect.

I don't really see anything coming close to this experience any time soon.

However, the thought did occur to me - If Reader was suppressing development of competing products because it was simply that good/universally loved perhaps we will soon see some better options.

Here's hoping the uproar causes them to reverse this though, Reader is exactly what I want.

[EDIT]

This is encouraging:

http://blog.feedly.com/2013/03/14/google-reader/

Viper GTS

 

[Exterous]

What?! Son of a....:'(

Like others mentioned I use this daily to integrate a number of webpages across multiple devices.

 

[SunnyD]

I'd love to see someone try to download content from dozens of sites with the press of one button for offline reading like I do on my train commute to work every single work day. My commute includes tunnels where internet access is non-existent.

To be fair, I generally spend about 10 to 14 hours a day "connected" and/or near a computer. I can afford to spend a few minutes not aggregating my content, and more so not giving a shit about having access to content if I'm not connected to the internet at any given point.

 

[mikeymikec]

Because you have to install it.

My God, you ought to be careful what you're doing there, you might sprain a fingertip.

 

[zinfamous]

No more Google Reader as of July: http://gizmodo.com/5990454/google-is-killing-google-reader?post=58257551

I use this constantly throughout the day. Guess I need to find a good alternative.

:sadface:

KT

Is that you with the first angry reply?

 

[zinfamous]

I am so happy google reader is going away.

It sucked anyway. Plus there are better alternatives out there.

must not be the division where you work, I guess.

startles me that "goggle" as not found a way to fire you, yet.

 

[MrChad]

My God, you ought to be careful what you're doing there, you might sprain a fingertip.

It's nice to be able to access your feeds from your phone or work computer and have everything synchronized. Not to mention that you may not be authorized to install a desktop reader at work.

 

[MrChad]

Google sells ads.
There are no ads in RSS.
This service should have been banned long ago.
Business 101.

Google shareholders rejoice!

They used to have AdSense for RSS feeds on Reader, then removed it.

 

[purbeast0]

never even heard of google reader. what is it used for?

 

[darkewaffle]

I never understood the purpose/allure of RSS really.

 

[MrChad]

never even heard of google reader. what is it used for?

Aggregates RSS feeds into a single web-based viewer. It's tied to your Google account so it's synchronized between devices automatically. It's a convenient way to check frequently visited sites for updates (Slashdot, Engadget, xkcd, even subreddits) without visiting a bunch of bookmarks.

 

[b0mbrman]

Google Reader is basically the center of my web use, this is going to be a major adjustment.

I was a bit late to the RSS party, I started using Reader in July 2009 so when it goes down it will be almost exactly 4 years. I've read a nearly a quarter million posts, & the seamless integration between mobile & web + simple, purposeful interface were absolutely perfect.

I don't really see anything coming close to this experience any time soon.

However, the thought did occur to me - If Reader was suppressing development of competing products because it was simply that good/universally loved perhaps we will soon see some better options.

Here's hoping the uproar causes them to reverse this though, Reader is exactly what I want.

[EDIT]

This is encouraging:

http://blog.feedly.com/2013/03/14/google-reader/

Viper GTS

Feedly's already been a better interface on smartphones. Should be an easy transition for me to use it on all devices.

Google Reader is dead. Long live Feedly

 

[Sheep]

To be fair, I generally spend about 10 to 14 hours a day "connected" and/or near a computer. I can afford to spend a few minutes not aggregating my content, and more so not giving a shit about having access to content if I'm not connected to the internet at any given point.

So just because you don't use it, it's useless to everyone else who has exactly the same usage habits as you do. Got it. Thanks for the quality answer there.

 

[KeithTalent]

Is that you with the first angry reply?

Yeah!


Not sure how anyone thinks going to all of the actual sites each time for updates is a viable alternative...

I have so many different feeds set up from different sites all sorted into different groups depending on what they are for (movie stuff, tech, sports, etc.). Such a great time saver particularly when it syncs seamlessly with my phone so I can read it on the go. It's really the only way I can keep up with news, aside from the random stuff posted in ATOT.

KT

 

[MrChad]

Feedly's already been a better interface on smartphones. Should be an easy transition for me to use it on all devices.

Google Reader is dead. Long live Feedly

Why does it need a browser extension though? Why can't it just be a web site?

 

[Miramonti]

I thought it was another of google's clever ways to track people's surfing habits. It's odd they are discontinuing it.