14 DAY TRIAL // Today is a new day of a new week, but the topic I have in my sight now is not a new one. I am talking about being up to date with the latest news floating around on the Internet, and the best way to do that is using a specialized program to help you.
Just to keep you in touch with my latest news, I still have to find a newsreader to make me start using it on a regular basis, or maybe just feel that I can't go on without such a program any longer, because I have some serious candidates already. Anyway, today's program is here, so let's stop wasting time and get straight to it!
Feedreader is today's candidate, and its latest version, the one that I have here, is 3.06. Its setup package has 3.67MB in size and was very easy to setup for me, and I have no doubts that it's going to be the same for you. The most important thing about this program at this point is that you don't have to pay for it, but that doesn't mean Feedreader should worth your time. Of course, that's what we should find out now!
The program's interface is nicely done, well organized and easy to use, but it won't make you go "wow". After all, you don't use a newsreader for its looks, but to get access to the latest news in the best possible way. This program allows you to choose from three available layouts for its main window - classic, wide and full, and you can also resize the panels as you need to get a better view.
While installing the program, you are asked about the domains you're interested in, and when you start the program for the first time, you already have the chance to check latest news. Of course that the program uses some default news sources but, as always, you can add your favorites, Feedreader supporting all major syndication formats: RSS 0.9, 0.91, 0.92, 1.00, 2.0 plus Dublin core and Slashback extensions.
One of the features that I always look for when it comes to newsreaders is the internal browser. After all, how can you think of using a program to get and browse the latest news if you have to switch to an external window each time you check a page, then close it and switch back to your program? The only requirement for this internal browser to work is that you must have Internet Explorer 6 installed on your computer, and I think that shouldn't be much of a problem.
Feeds can be imported and exported using the OPML file format, and management of the existing ones is very easy to do. All you have to do is choose the Manage feeds option from the File menu, and I am sure you'll be able to handle it from here.
When adding new feeds, you don't have the freedom to search for your favorite topics on the Internet from the program, but you have a search capability at your disposal to use with the existing news.
If you are wondering about the refresh rate of the program, then here's the groundbreaking news: Feedreader is an intelligent program that adjusts its refresh frequency with the timing of the sources' updates, "learning" how often a certain news source is updated. Is that awesome or what?
This is it for me, and I am sure you'll enjoy using this program as much as I did, so let's move on to the conclusions now.
The Good
Feedreader is a basic news reader with advanced hidden features, easy to use, useful and it can be an excellent choice for beginners, and not only them. The internal browser and intelligent update feature worth all your money...but wait! This is free!
The Bad
It would be great to have support for searching news sources on the Internet inside the program, but apart from that, everything's just fine with me.
The Truth
Feedreader is a program that goes right into my waiting list and, maybe, this program will be my favorite one someday, but until then, I'll remember this excellent newsreading application. Don't wait any longer; get your hands on it as soon as possible!
Here are some snapshots of the application in action:
