Crenk Technology » RSS Reader

Tiny Tiny RSS: Open Source Google Reader Alternative

Steven Finch — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 18:46:10 +0000

I have been using Google Reader since launch, but there is a new kid on the block: Tiny Tiny RSS. Tiny Tiny RSS is a great new open source web based RSS feed reader that has a great user experience.

Tiny Tiny RSS is built upon PHP and Mysql, but the actual user interface is completely Ajax.

A brilliant feature is that Tiny Tiny RSS can not only grab RSS feeds, but it can merge them and then republish an independent RSS feed. This is a great way to group together certain topics.

FLUD Makes RSS Feeds Sexy – August 30, 2010
The Ultimate Google Cheat Guide – June 28, 2009
Top 10 Google Tools for Entrepreneurs – January 5, 2009
Review: Feedheads thru Facebook – August 25, 2008
Feedly Opens Up RSS Feeds in an iPad Application – May 4, 2011

Tiny Tiny RSS: Open Source Google Reader Alternative originally appeared on: Crenk
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FLUD Makes RSS Feeds Sexy

Luis Sandoval — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 04:07:04 +0000

Do any of us visit websites anymore? Seems like subscribing to iTunes and subscribing to RSS feeds pretty much brings all the information to us instantly, except for when we need to do actual searches for information. I personally use Google Reader on my desktop/laptop systems and MobileRSS on my Apple device. It’s from there that I’m able to capture a day’s worth of information in less time than it would take for me to surf all these sites.

In a way, RSS has been a way of consuming internet stories, postings, and news a la carte. Still, the interfaces have always been simple text formatted, easy to click, easy to follow, nothing extraordinarily exciting about it. But FLUD turns the way you see RSS feeds on the iPad into an sexy experience you’ll want to interface with over and over again.

Sorry iPhone and iPod touch users, I’ve not found something comparable to FLUD on those devices, but iPad owners should rejoice in how cool surfing your RSS feeds has become. An app that costs $4, FLUD offers a “highly-graphical interface, slick in-app browser, Google Reader integration, and Facebook/Twitter/e-mail sharing features to help spread the word on stories, videos, and pictures of interest,” according to site reviews.

Having used the application, I love how it turns what is typically a dry text interface into an amazingly eye popping way to receive your news. For those that are not into aesthetics, there’s still nothing wrong with the ease of use that standard RSS readers offer, but for those that like a little something extra with their news and postings, this might be the interface that can make RSS fun again.

So if you’re using FLUD, let me know what you think. I think it’s a nice app, but honestly, when I’m in a hurry, the graphic interface takes a back seat to time saving, and a standard RSS is just fine for me.

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iPad Features Are Terrible When Compared to HP TC 1100 from 2003 – September 29, 2011

FLUD Makes RSS Feeds Sexy originally appeared on: Crenk
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Review: Feedheads thru Facebook

Luis Sandoval — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 17:52:54 +0000

Just two days ago, www.feedheads.org was brought to my attention. There are plenty of RSS Reader sites out there, but Feedheads offers a different experience by not reinventing the wheel, but rather attaching itself to an already popular social site, Facebook.

At first glance Feedheads is nothing fancy. It almost reminded me of a Craigslist-like site which little to know aesthetics and a focus on information. Personally I don’t care what a site looks like as long as it’s informative and easy to find what I need, the bells and whistles are just icing. So don’t turn away from Feedheads until you’ve given it a try.

To log into the service you need a Facebook account, and you must allow Facebook to provide access to the site, but once you’ve gotten through the set-up you’re logged right into full access for Feedheads.

I admit at first glance I saw no need to really delve into it since there was no social aspect, but attaching to Facebook makes it very different from other RSS sites. From within the site you can introduce your contacts to stories, have them vote on their favorites and even have them join your networks. You’re given the opportunity to view the stories by three categories, “New”, “Top in 24 Hrs.”, and “7 Days”. A separate link will provide you with the days most popular tags, which is useful for a quick at-a-glance of the days topics.

If you’re a heavy Facebook user and you’re looking for new ways to make that your one stop shop for friends, news, and other information, give Feedheads a try. If you’re stuck on looks then perhaps looking elsewhere would be prudent, Feedheads is definitely for the purist.

Tiny Tiny RSS: Open Source Google Reader Alternative – July 12, 2011
FLUD Makes RSS Feeds Sexy – August 30, 2010
Facebook 3.0 – New App Here…Finally – August 28, 2009
Facebook’s New Twitter App! – August 22, 2009
FaceBook’s New Killer App – August 21, 2009

Review: Feedheads thru Facebook originally appeared on: Crenk
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