uzyn.com rhythmic code

My Podcast Debut →← Logical Fallacies

Back to Desktop Feed Reader

RSS Owl
It started with desktop feed reader, but I made the switch about 2 years ago to Google Reader, thinking it would solve the problem of syncing not just the list of subscribed feeds but also the read/unread statuses of the feeds between different computers. Now, I’m back to desktop feed reader.

Several reasons for the switch:

  • I no longer read feeds on multiple computers, but only on a laptop and iPhone.
  • No more ~1-2 sec wait for switching between feeds.
    This is the main reason for the switch. The ~1-2 sec wait when I switch between feeds in Google Reader constantly lose my attention. During the 1-2 sec wait, I often find myself browsing other sites like Ping.sg and eventually even end up getting stuck in the quicksand of Wikipedia. Yes, I’m a wikipedia-addict. And yes, my attention span has shorten tremendously probably due to the over-usage of computers.
  • Managing feeds is fun now
    With desktop feed reader, managing feeds is so much fun now. Ctrl+click, select multiple feeds, unsubscribe. That’s so much more efficient than having to manage one by one.
  • Now I’m rediscovering the joy of feeds reading after I’ve almost stopped reading feeds due to the frustration of using a web-based feed reader.

    Even though the web apps has revolutionize my reliance on a lot of desktop apps, sometimes the speed and ease-of-use of a desktop app still beats the no-download-requirement of web apps.

    April 29th, 2008 / 5 Comments / Trackback

Comments on “Back to Desktop Feed Reader”

  1. THAT is exactly why I’m still using POP mail, instead of reading email online like 90% of the people :)

    FoxTwo on April 29th, 2008 at 6:39 pm
  2. FoxTwo, it took me really long to switch to Gmail too. I was still using my desktop mail client about 2 years ago.

    But now I love Gmail and I depend on it for managing a few of my mailboxes and also for spam-handling.

    I was running Thunderbird and POPFile (spam handling) before the switch.

    U-Zyn Chua on April 29th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
  3. Hmmm … Somehow I really like Google Reader. The response time is OK for me. Maybe my fingers don’t click and my eyes don’t switch attention as fast as I was before …

    Wilfrid on April 30th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
  4. I used to depend on NetNewsWire for all the feeds and I bcos I’m quite a info junkie, I found it less robust after I start using GReader. Yeah, desktop RSS readers tends to have more preferences and functions over GReader but it has make it easier to add feeds as and when I want it. There’s no need to fumble for the RSS feed link at that webpage.

    The slight speed lag is fine. With GReader, I actually found more interesting RSS feeds at their “Top Recommendations” section (@Home page). It’s seamless to share links via Gmail within and Friendfeed. Lastly, With a web-based reader, it gives me portability and accessibility. I have not fire up a desktop reader since. heh.

    But U-Zyn, which offline reader u’re currently hooking up to?

    Jonathan Kong on May 5th, 2008 at 8:48 am
  5. @Jonathan Kong

    I’m currently using RSSOwl - its logo is the cute little owl icon on my post.

    U-Zyn Chua on May 5th, 2008 at 11:21 am