I wanted to finally install an RSS viewer on my Windows desktop. After using Google to see what other people are using, I decided to give bottomfeeder a try. My requirements were pretty simple: it must work, and it must be simple. I don't subscribe to that many newsfeeds (only 4). I was attracted to it because it runs on both Linux and Windows. The fact that it was implemented using Smalltalk raised a flag initially. Does it run fast enough? Will it install easily on Windows?
It turns out that the answer to both questions are YES.
I just have one small beef against it regarding the installation/configuration. The default configuration subscribed me automatically to TOO MANY newsfeeds than I cared for. I had to manually delete all but one newsfeed.
This software is loaded with features. I must admit that I did not spend much time in learning all the features. I did not need to because I learned what I had to in 5 minutes. I subscribed to 3 additional newsfeeds by right-clicking My Subscriptions and chose Add Feed.
At the beginning of each work day, I start bottomfeeder up. Those newfeeds that have unread articles in them are automagically highlighted in RED. I click on the newsfeed to display the article titles. Again, individual unread articles are highlighted in RED. I can view a summary of an article by clicking once on the title. I can render the entire page in my default browser by double clicking the title.
After I am done with a newsfeed, then I click on the newsfeed link with My Subscriptions, and choose Mark Feed, then Mark all feed items as Old. Then, I am ready for my next dose of RSS news.
I have been using it daily for 1 week, and I am happy with it. Overall, the software installs easily, and is fairly user friendly. It is good enough for me.
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