FHK SitRep 09.16.07: Google Reader for the Conservative Web2.0 Blog Fan

(Get this Button for Your Blog)

With so many different Blogs and Podcasts out there, it can be difficult to keep up with them all. Fortunately one of the common things about each is that they both (in most cases) can be accessed via RSS (Really Simple Syndication). Now there are a plethora of desktop application RSS readers out there, but I want to focus on a single one — Google Reader.

Most of us have a Google/Gmail account, but for those who don’t, I highly recommend getting one. As a matter of fact it’s a prerequisite for Google Reader.

Why do I recommend Google Reader over desktop applications that read RSS?

• It means you have access to all your RSS feeds no matter which computer you are operating.
• It has many nice search and sorting abilities.
• It allows you to gather all sorts of trends about your RSS feeds.
• It actually bridges the gap between Podcasts and Blogs.

Now, that last one you might not get right away.

Here is why: A Podcast actually uses the same RSS technology as a RSS feed of a Blog. When you add a subscription RSS URL to Google Reader, it notices that the RSS feed leads to an audio file. It automatically loads a Flash based audio player to the page so you can listen right from the Reader page!

There IS a downside, in that some sites RSS feeds are delayed by differing periods of time. It’s generally not a big issue, and the ease of use and convenience of having all your feeds readable in one place makes up for it.

Some of the desktop based RSS readers out there will play Podcasts right from the application, but Google Reader ties all the tools so nicely together, and is accessible from anywhere, its ideal for the Conservative Web2.0 activist on the go.

Daily SitRep Archive