GeekSugar

Download of the Day: Better GReader

GeekSugar — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 13:15:12 -0800

As a geek, it's kind of embarrassing to admit that I was ever resistant to using an RSS reader, based on the fact that I liked the way many of my blogs look in their original forms. So many sites put a lot of thought into their design, but I slowly came around to putting some of the blogs I read into Google Reader. Of course, I slowly became dependent on it and finally added all my blogs I love, even if I had to miss the pretty site design I delight in seeing when I open up their pages.

So I rejoiced when I found that Lifehacker had created Better GReader for use with Google Reader. A Firefox add-on, it features an addition of keyboard shortcuts, skipping of Google Reader's default subscriber, and - my absolute favorite thing - when you click a post's title, instead of opening up a new tab, the item is displayed in Reader just the way it normally appears! Hey, I'm easy to please.

To learn how to post your favorite downloads to the Download of the Day group, read more

I know that this long list looks scary, but trust me, once you get the hang of it, it'll be a snap the second time around.

First of all, join the Download of the Day group
Click "Create and Share!" on the left hand side
Choose "Blog"
Give your photo a Title
Leave the category as "general"
Change the channel to "technology and gadgets"
Add keyword(s) (for example mine for this photo was "Download of the Day")
Click on the "Add Image" link below the "body" box
A popup window will happen - click on "Browse" to find your image on your computer
Once you have the image chosen, click "Submit"
The popup will show you your image, choose size: "normal" - if you want, you can give it a title (which will show up as a caption)
Click "Insert" and the popup will go away
Your "body" box will now have some text in it. Leave it as is. If you want to add some text before the picture telling me why you love the download, do it before the code that has appeared.
Click Submit

So join the Download of the Day group and share information about all your favorite downloads! Yours just might end up on the geeksugar homepage!

Geek Tip: Export Your Feeds From One RSS Reader to Another

GeekSugar — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:00:59 -0700

Change can be hard. Maybe, for instance, you committed to an RSS Reader early on and then decided to switch to a different RSS Reader later on. I'm not here to judge - just to guide.

If you happen to be dying to make the switch to Google Reader from another RSS (maybe you heard how fan-freaking-tastic Better GReader makes it), then I bet you're also saying, "yes, I would love to switch, but what about all my feeds?!" That's a valid complaint, especially if you have upwards of 100 feeds, as so many of you do.

To see the tip, just read more.

Thankfully, Google Reader allows you to import all of your feeds from other readers, including Bloglines, NetVibes, and even Safari or Firefox bookmarks. All you need to do is export your subscriptions as an OPML file; refer to Google's handy list of links to learn how to do it from each reader.

Once you have the OPML file, you can upload it to Google Reader from the Settings page and the Import/Export tab. I would love to tell you how to do this from Bloglines site, but it's down right now.

Jinkies, another reason to switch?

Are You Using an RSS Reader Yet?

GeekSugar — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 13:00:52 -0700

Though I dragged my feet a little right before I converted from reading my blogs on their native pages to an RSS Reader, I could never go back. Sure, there are some sites I still enjoy going to and getting the "full experience," but I read almost all my blogs on Google Reader.

I have even found workarounds for stuff like getting the blog design or not leaving Reader to read the comments on a post with Better GReader. I'm a total convert, and I'm always trying to convince my friends who are still reading blogs the old-fashioned way. So are you devoted to RSS too, or are you not ready for the change?