Earlier this year, NewsGator decided to alter the way their RSS reader applications (NetNewsWire for the Mac, NetNewsWire for the iPhone/iPod Touch, and FeedDemon for Windows) work. They removed the ability to sync the status of your feeds using their own service as well as removing the ability to sync using MobileMe. If you’re interested in knowing more about the situation, you can check out this article that I wrote way back when. I’m not really writing this to convince you to stop using NetNewsWire. I just want to explain why I’m happy that I switched.
I began using Google Reader as my method of reading my feeds. It is fairly straight forward, but some people are uneasy with Google having any information about them. Luckily, I’m not one of those people. I used Fluid to create a dedicated application to display Google Reader. As a bonus, it also shows a badge in the dock that counts the unread messages. I find that very handy. For my iPod Touch, I just use the built-in bookmark to home screen feature in the OS. Whenever I tap the Google Reader icon, it launches the mobile version of the site in Safari.
I am very happy with my new setup. NetNewsWire was good, but NewsGator started going down a path that I wasn’t very happy with. I respectfully expressed my opinion to them via e-mail, and then I stopped using their product. It’s simple as that. We have choices galore, not only as Mac users, but as citizens of the Internet. Don’t hesitate to explore a little bit from time to time. You might just find something you like more than what you have now.
Photo Credit: CarbonNYC
December 11th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
I read your original reasons for not using the revamped NetNewsWire but … I failed to see how the alternatives you mentioned (Mail.app, Safari, NewsFire, Times, Google Reader with Fluid, and Bloglines with Fluid) provide the functionality you claim is now missing; mainly “the ability to use other syncing services”.
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December 11th, 2009 at 10:03 am
Macgasm.net: Life Without NetNewsWire:
Earlier this year, NewsGator decided to alter the way their RSS reader … http://bit.ly/5sIW9d #fb
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December 11th, 2009 at 2:19 pm
.@samharrelson Yeah I know what you mean. Maybe look at Fever. Your own killer RSS server. There is a Mac app for it too
This comment was originally posted on Tris Hussey’s Lifestream
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December 11th, 2009 at 2:27 pm
I’ve been using Fever for about 3 months and really love the idea and iPhone integration. You’re right… that’s prob the way to go. I need to put aside my dreams of there being a comparable NNW of the old days!
This comment was originally posted on Tris Hussey’s Lifestream
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December 11th, 2009 at 2:35 pm
@samharrelson you’ll like Chill Pill then. Better than an SSB for Fever.
This comment was originally posted on Tris Hussey’s Lifestream
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December 11th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
@trishussey You have just made my life more complete.
Thank you so much, Tris.
This comment was originally posted on Tris Hussey’s Lifestream
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December 11th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
.@samharrelson Always happy to help. Here is the link to Chill Pill: http://chillpillapp.com/
This comment was originally posted on Tris Hussey’s Lifestream
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