Thursday, April 25, 2013

When Google Reader Goes

I understand that Google Reader will be discontinued on July 1, 2013.  I've been wondering what else will disappear at the same time.  Considering how I dislike change, I'm trying to be prepared as much as possible.

Will Google Friend Connect continue?  Is that associated with Google Reader?
Will the Reading List and list of blogs discontinue when Google Reader does?  They're below our blog(s) on our Blogger dashboards and show several posts from blogs we've subscribed to with Google Friend Connect and a list of blogs. 



What RSS reader will you use instead of Reader?  What do you like about it?

--Nancy.
.
at 9:38 AM

11 comments:

  1. Heather Kuhn RoelkerApril 25, 2013 at 12:24 PM

    Nancy, you were reading my mind this morning! I've been thinking how I needed to find a replacement option and just this morning I started to do some research. I read that Feedly is the front runner as a replacement for Reader, but it is not compatible with Internet Explorer...out. So, a follower on my blog suggested The Old Reader. I just signed up and so far I'm liking it. It was easy to import all my feeds, too. I have also read bloggers using Bloglovin.

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    Replies
    1. NancyApril 25, 2013 at 8:47 PM

      Heather, can you read the whole blog post from The Old Reader or do you have to click through to read each post? I read the information at their site not too long ago and I sensed some uncertainty about their ability to keep up with hundreds of thousands of people who wanted to sign up. Perhaps that's changed in the past 2-3 weeks since I first read their blog. Do you not want to change to Firefox or Chrome?

      I've heard of Bloglovin, too, but it seems (as far as I can tell without an account) that you have to click through to posts to read all of them. (Did I say I don't like change?)

      Thanks for responding with what you've been using, Heather. I appreciate it.

      Delete
    2. Heather Kuhn RoelkerApril 25, 2013 at 9:28 PM

      Nancy, I hadn't really played with it until you asked, but you can see the whole post without having to click through (excepting the blogs that force you to do so anyway). I tested it with my own blog on my phone and my Kindle and both worked well. I have noticed that formatting I've done within my posts (such as returns for new paragraphs) doesn't always appear correct in The Old Reader. For instance, my follow Friday links show as one big paragraph instead of line-by-line like I set it up. But other than that TOR is working fine for now. Also, it is very similar in layout to google reader.

      Delete
    3. NancyApril 26, 2013 at 6:04 PM

      Thanks for coming back with more information, Heather. I appreciate the details. I know I'll have to choose a new reader soon.

      Delete
  2. barbara woodsApril 25, 2013 at 2:19 PM

    i read a blog that said she had researched it and that gfc was staying. i love blog lovin but there are a lot of choices

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  3. MagdaApril 25, 2013 at 5:43 PM

    Lots of good questions about the demise of google reader et al. Like Old Reader on my laptop but there is no way to read it on my Kindle Fire. Using TAPTU on it and so far, so good.

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    1. NancyApril 25, 2013 at 8:50 PM

      In The Old Reader, can you read the posts from their website or do you need to click through to read each post? What is TAPTU?

      Delete
  4. Jana Iverson LastApril 25, 2013 at 10:32 PM

    Believe it or not, I've signed up with Feedly AND The Old Reader. So far I really like Feedly. I like that I can organize the blogs I subscribe to. And with hundreds of blogs on my list, that's important. =) I can place the blogs into categories such as genealogy, tech, etc.

    With both Feedly and The Old Reader, you can read the posts from their website. Comparing this blog post in both readers, I'd say Feedly did a better job of it.

    I'm going to give it more time, but I think Feedly is the one I'm liking more right now.

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  5. Jana Iverson LastApril 26, 2013 at 11:56 AM

    Nancy,

    I want to let you know that your blog post is listed in today's Fab Finds post at http://janasgenealogyandfamilyhistory.blogspot.com/2013/04/follow-friday-fab-finds-for-april-25.html

    Have a great weekend!

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  6. Shelley BishopApril 28, 2013 at 11:26 PM

    I've been wondering the same things, Nancy. How much of our Blogger blogs will lose functionality when Google Reader shuts down? I haven't heard anything about the future of Google Friend Connect.

    I've tried Feedly and Reeder. They both seem ok, but I haven't yet gotten comfortable with either of them. Why Google finds it necessary to discontinue such a popular service is beyond me, but it creates a level of distrust that they'll support their remaining services, at least in my mind. I'll be interested in knowing if and when you find a replacement you really like.

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    1. NancyMay 3, 2013 at 12:07 AM

      Hi, Shelley. I hope the loss of Google Reader doesn't impact us much, especially because they've given us several months to prepare for it's going, but who knows.

      I don't yet have an account with any of the readers but will probably try Feedly, The Old Reader, and maybe Bloglovin'. Reader was so great because I didn't have to have one more account and one more password.

      And I know what you mean about feeling some distrust with the continuity of Google's services. I was disappointed when they changed the behind-the-scenes of blogger and I know others have felt the loss of iGoogle. But since it's all free....

      I'll probably write a post about readers when I try out several.

      Thanks for visiting and leaving a comment. I appreciate it.

      Delete

I appreciate your comments and look forward to reading what you have to say. Thanks for stopping by.

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