RSS readers / aggregators enable you to to subscribe to, read and manage the periodically updated RSS or Atom "feeds" that websites and bloggers generate. These feeds provide up-to-the-minute access to the latest new content.
Most feed readers fit into five sub-categories: conventional programs, add-ons for browsers, add-ons for email clients, web-based applications, and mobile readers (used in cell phones). For each individual, the "best" feed reader is the one that matches the way they want to work with feeds. In fact, many people like to use different readers for different kinds of feeds.
This is a category where web-based applications compete on a par with stand-alone programs. Indeed my first choice is a web application: Google Reader [1].
It offers excellent RSS feed control and management i and the integration with Firefox, particularly tabbed browsing, is seamless. Managing my RSS-driven work flow, using the combination of Google Reader and Firefox, is effortless. By adding a few Firefox extensions you can process web feeds very efficiently. For example, the Windows Live Writer extension for Firefox makes it quick and easy to create a blog post related to a particular feed item.
For stand-alone programs by first choice is FeedDemon [2]. This is a commercial product but recently the vendor made it available to home users for free. FeedDemon handles feeds with attachments, like podcasts, very well too. It's a power-user's dream. FeedDemon seamlessly integrates with the Web-based NewsGator, so you have the best of both worlds. You can also synchronize FeedDemon with Bloglines. The only downside is the lack of effective integration with Firefox. you can use it extensively until Google Reader became advanced enough to meet my needs.
Another stand-alone product targeted at power users is the Open Source BlogBridge [3] but don't let that scare you off. It's designed to make it easy to discover the feeds you'll be interested in. BlogBridge gives you access to "Guides", which are written by experts in many different feed categories. Being Java based it will work with any computer that supports Java.
If simplicity is your most important criterion then check out RSSOwl [4]. It's not the most full featured of the readers but will meet the needs of most users and the availability of a Firefox extension is a big plus.
TIP: No matter which type feed reader you choose, make sure it's one that allows you to export your feeds as an OPML file.
[1] Google Reader Web Service
Website: http://www.google.com/reader
[2] FeedDemon
Website: http://www.feeddemon.com/
Download link: http://www.newsgator.com/Individuals/FeedDemon/Default.aspx
Author: Nick Bradbury
Current version:
Version date:
Download File size: 3.8MB
License: Free for personal use
Operating systems supported: Windows 98-Vista
Additional Software Required: IE6+
64 Bit version available: No
Portable version available: No
Non-English languages supported:
Other relevant information:
[3] BlogBridge
Website: http://www.blogbridge.com/
Download link: http://www.blogbridge.com/downloads/blogbridge/
Author: This is an Open Source project written by a global team.
Current version: 6.0.2
Version date: December 13, 2007
Download File size: 5.12 MB
License: Open Source freeware
Operating systems supported: Windows, Mac and Linux
Additional Software Required: Java
64 Bit version available: no
Portable version available: no
Non-English languages supported: Russian
[4] RSSOwl
Website: http://www.rssowl.org/
Download link: http://sourceforge.net/projects/rssowl/
Author: Benjamin Pasero
Current version: 1.2.4
Version date: November 26, 2007
Download File size: 5.04 MB
License: Freeware (Eclipse Public License)
Operating systems supported: Windows, Mac and Linux
Additional Software Required: Java
64 Bit version available: no
Portable version available: no
Non-English languages supported: Dansk, Deutsch, Espanol, Francais, Italiano, Nederlands, Norweigian, Portugues (do Brazil), Suomi and Svenska