Before getting addicted to Google Reader, I was using a desktop based feed reader – the portable GreatNews feed reader.
As much as I am a fan of web applications, there is one fact that I can’t deny. Desktop applications beats web apps in speed. Web applications have come a long way but a native windows app has its advantages even though it lacks the flexibility of a webapp of being available no matter what.
The reason I switched to Google Reader (after trying FastLadder) was the ability to read my feeds at home in the morning, find some down time at work to read a few more and pick up the rest when I get home at night. I could do this with GreatNews in my USB drive but it was a lot of hassle.
Also, the keyboard shortcuts in Google Reader and the intuitive interface, starring, tagging, sharing and most recently commenting on shared feeds has just made it hands down the best web based feed reader.
FeedDemon 3.0 Beta
So if I am so sold on Google Reader, why FeedDemon now? You may ask. Well, for one it brings back some nostalgic memories of the good old days when I discovered RSS feeds for the first time with Great News.
I could set up watch filters and easily find topics of interest for the day flowing through my feed reader. I miss that.
Newsgator made FeedDemon and NetNewsWire free back in Jan 2008.
FeedDemon 3.0 beta now has support for sync with Google Reader. And set up is pretty simple too
- Download and install FeedDemon 3.0 beta
- Choose to sync with Google Reader
- Provide your Google login
- Feed Demon opens with your Google Reader feeds
- From Tools -> Sync Options you can set how often you want FeedDemon to sync with Google Reader
- You can also set how many news items you want to retrieve from each feed
FeedDemon Pros
You will get a few things that you don’t get with Google Reader
- Filters & Watches – ability to create watches for keywords is awesome
- Create different views
- Tabbed interface
- And all the speed from a desktop application
Download FeedDemon 3.0 Beta
I am not ditching my Google Reader but FeedDemon is definitely going to be in the mix of things I do daily. I am going to try it out for a few days to see if I can get used to it.
As the beta label should indicate, if you don’t like software that may not work as expected you might have a wait a little for the stable 3.0 release.
Me? I love beta stuff. 🙂
This is one of the best update I was looking for. Feeddemon is my fav feed reader and I always missed its synchronization with Google reader. Glad that it’s here now 🙂
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I just started using RSS readers and I started with google, but I found that I spent too much time on one subject. I never heard of this feed-demon and will start using it. Thank you for referring a newbie to this source.