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Visiting site after site looking for news and interesting articles is a pain.
2011-03-23
If you already have a list of websites you visit every day, why not use one web application to see them all at once with minimum distractions?
Using RSS (Really Simple Syndication) readers is the easiest way to strip down fluff to find the content you're after. Most news sites and blogs have a feed that can plug in to any RSS reader.
Google Reader, like other Google Apps, is a dead-simple way to view all of your RSS feeds. In essence, it is the opposite of visiting visually striking and cluttered page pages you might be used to seeing.
Reader turns any website into a simple text and picture formula that you can browse through quickly.
With Google Reader, all you see is a clean list of headlines from your favorite sites.
First thing to do is visit google.com/reader. If you don't have a Google login, it's definitely time to create one
Google
Once the Google Reader screen opens up, click "Navigation" and then "Add a subscription" to get the ball rolling. Enter in a webpage or blog you like to have its posts populate your Reader site.
Google
If a website's homepage doesn't work (which some don't), go to the webpage and try to find a link to their RSS feed (which might be represented by an orange square logo).
Once you've built a nice list of feeds, you can click "All items" to view them all in chronological order, or you can click individual sites on the left sidebar. Remember to refresh the page every so often to feed in new results
"Star" posts you enjoy or want to read later on. Find them again in the "Starred Items'" section of your left sidebar
Google
Check out "Recommended Items" under the "Explore" tab to read popular and interesting articles
Google
Access the same list of sites on the go, or from any computer
Google Reader resides in the cloud, so you have access to all your feeds from any computer or mobile device.
Google has optimized Reader for just about every mobile operating system, and has even made some apps as well. Check out the official Google Reader app from the Android market or the web app for iOS devices at google.com/reader.
Use keyboard shortcuts to become a Google Reader power user
Check out Google's page for Reader keyboard shortcuts so you can navigate like a pro.
Some highlights include R for refresh, J for next item, K for previous item, and S to star an item.
Add folders to categorize your feeds, such as "Tech," "Home Improvement," or "Sports."
Google
Click the gear in the top right corner of Google Reader and click "Reader Settings."
Then, click the "Subscriptions" tab and find a feed you would like to put in a folder. Click "Add to a folder" on the right hand side and then "Create a new folder."
Add more feeds to your folders
Once your new folder is created, you can either individually click on a feed and "Add to a folder," or you can add a few together by checking the boxes next to them and clicking "More actions"--then clicking a folder you've already created.
Once you have all your favorite websites in Google Reader, plug your Google Reader account into a web app or mobile app for a pleasant visual experience
Apple
Feedly calls itself a "magazine-like overlay" for your Google Reader account with social networking options as well.
Flipboard is an incredible iPad app that will turn your Google Reader feed into a beautiful experience.
Also, most browsers have useful Google Reader extensions and shortcuts you can take advantage of
MacUpdate.com
This Safari Extension (pictured) gives Google Reader a face lift with a Snow-Leopard feel to it, and this shortcut will add any site to Google reader with one click
Minimalist for Chrome adds customizable color schemes and removes unwanted features and buttons from the Google Reader interface.
