Dec06
19
Why I Can’t Switch to Google Reader
I love the look and feel of Google Reader, and the functionality exceeds that of my current RSS reader, Bloglines, but I can’t switch for one stoooopid reason: My blogroll.
You see, in my sidebar there is a list of sites I recommend. I like that list, because it acknowledges important sources of information and just generally cool blogs but also syncs directly with my Bloglines list. So when I add a feed to Bloglines, it adds it to my site. When I take one off, the same happens.
Google Reader, unless I’m blind or stupid or both, doesn’t seem to have that functionality. they have a ’shared feeds’ thing but that’s not really the same idea.
Your suggestions?
You’re right Mike, the “sharing” feature in Google Reader shares the actual posts, not just a link to the sites, as far as I can see. Maybe pop them an email? I’m sure it’s a feature that can be whipped up easily…
In you email also ask them to add Search Functionality to Google Reader, can you believe you are unable to Search a Google product?
would GRAZR help?
Mike, I was on Bloglines too but I think Google Reader beats it hands downs its a lot more smoother and I went ahead and sacrificed the blogrolling feature. Besides I realized I didn’t want to share all the blogs I read regularly with my blog readers. Some of them are dark topics and I like to keep them a secret
I actually think the shared posts function works better. Blogrolls get too long - to the point where no-one is going to sift through them - therefore you’re not passing traffic to the other sites, as a thank you for being a content source.
My humble view would be to categorise and link only the very best, most relevant. Then use the Google Reader ShareFeed code on a side bar. Everything you click “share” on in the reader, immediately populates on the site.
It’s a “more live” more “hands on” view of what you’re reading - it’ll even summary the article for you. Helluva tool.
I use it for the links articles on Cowboys. Just too scared to play with dodgy Blogger templates