RSS Reader

Google's beloved RSS feed aggregator, Google Reader, is heading to the cyber graveyard on July 1. But there's no need to lament, since Digg, the up-vote, down-vote social news site that was forced to shutdown in 2010, is returning to the web with a reader of its own!

The Digg engineering team posted the first screenshots of its Google Reader replacement, which launches publicly on June 26.

When Digg announced their reader in March, they hoped to "identify and rebuild the best of Google Reader's features" and anticipated a late 2013 release date. Apparently, production was sped up to roll out Digg Reader ahead of Google Reader's July end date to make migration as seamless as possible.

What can you expect from the new RSS feed aggregator? A site that's simple, fast, optimized for any screen size, free (with premium paid options later in the year), and as socially conscious as Reddit, Tumblr, Twitter, and Facebook.

Sign up to be notified when the new Digg Reader has arrived, or if you need an alternative right this second, turn to one of these RSS aggregators fit for headline grazers.

Be sure to export your Google Reader data (subscriptions, bookmarked items, notes and all) before July 1 at dataliberation.org.

Yesterday, I mourned the loss of Bloglines, a once-popular RSS reader that will shut down on Oct. 1. Company execs partially blamed the shutter on the popularity of social networking site like Facebook and other sharing sites like Digg, which, according to them, make RSS readers obsolete.

I don't agree — I couldn't get along without them! An overwhelming majority of you sided with me; here's more of what you had to say:

• "Frankly, I'd be very bummed if all RSS readers went away. I don't like using social networks for use. Twitter's good for some things, but it's not a complete resource, and I much prefer RSS readers." — Matdredalia
• "How can you get by without an RSS reader??? I use Google." — imLissy
• "I used to use Google, but I stopped. I only log onto maybe 10 different websites that update per day, and they are all in my bookmarks toolbar, so I don't feel the need to use an RSS reader." — PrincessOats
• "I use it and love it, because I'm the kind of person who wastes a ton of time going to every single blog several times a day, only to find no new posts." — RoaringSilence
• "I use Google Reader on my cell phone when I'm on the go. Other than that, I just go to actual website." — pinkmystic

Do you have any comments to add? Leave them below!

When I posted about a new Twitter feature allowing you to follow a user on Twitter without creating an account, a few of you were quick to remind me that there is another way to do the same thing without constantly refreshing said user's feed in the web client.

So, today's Geek Tip comes courtesy of the community. As reader Linm reminded me, another way to receive useful Twitter updates from interesting or relevant accounts is to add that user's Twitter page to your RSS feed. Your RSS reader should treat each tweet similarly to how it treats a new blog post, showing them chronologically within the rest of your feed.

But, this may not work well for everyone. To find out why, keep reading.

Reader Lauren recently posted this question in our Ask the Community Forum:

What is the best RSS reader application for the iPhone? Any recommendations?

Since I use Google Reader on a daily basis, I use the Google mobile app to access my RSS feed quickly. The feed opens in Safari, not inside the app.

Do you have a favorite app for reading an RSS feed on your iPhone? Head over to the community forum and help Lauren find the best app.

Last week, a post on the Facebook blog encouraged users to use Facebook as a way to create a personalized news channel. At first, the idea seemed funny to me. . .Why use a social networking tool as a news feed when there are services like RSS readers, Google News, and immediate text message alerts for receiving up-to-the-minute information? But after considering it, it's true that I often find out about news near me by my friends' Facebook and Twitter status updates. So why not become a fan of some news sources on Facebook and add a few more newsy voices to the mix?

Similar to my suggestion about customizing your Facebook home screen, the post suggests you create a "News" list containing friends who frequently post items of interest and adding relevant news sources. Because Facebook allows news outlets to "talk directly to their readers," it makes for a more tailored news experience than a simple RSS feed or news alert system.

Who knew that there are just as many geeky necklaces as there are geeky coasters?! If you're just as dependent on Bloglines or Google Reader as I am then have a peek at this colorful 16 piece RSS Coaster Set. Made from MDF plywood these tech-inspired coasters may also be the perfect gift for those hard to buy for geeks on your list. I'm not loving their $45 price tag, but considering there is 16 I could split them up into multiple gifts — just don't tell anyone!