I’m thinking of switching back over to Google Reader. What’s everyone think? Like it better than what you used to use if you use it or not? Right now I use live bookmarks through Firefox and I really like it, but the problem is, I read so many blogs that it’s gotten a little out of control. I can’t keep track of what I’ve read already, and the list under bookmarks is just so damn long. And sometimes it takes like a day for a post to show up after the author has posted it. On the other hand, I tend not to like Google Reader because it doesn’t show the person’s page…though of course you can always just click on the link and be taken there. Yeah, I think I may try it again. It’ll just make life easier in this heavily trafficked blogging world.
So unfortunately, the winner of Blackness Tower has yet to claim her prize and it’s been awhile now. I tried leaving comments on her blog, but still no luck, so we have to draw another winner because I want to get the book reviewed by somebody for the Once Upon a Time Challenge. So here it is: Congrats to Becky! If you’re still up to reviewing this for the Challenge, send me an email at Chrisa511 (at) Gmail (dot) com and I’ll send it out to you.
And one last thing…one of my favorite bands, Ours, has a new album out today called Mercy and it is absolutely amazing! It’s available on Amazon and iTunes and you can listen to samples. They’re not hugely popular so unless you have something like a Virgin Megastore that carries more indie type bands you’ll probably not find it in stores. Though oddly enough you can usually find their first album, Distorted Lullabies in just about any store. I highly recommend Distorted Lullabies as well…it’s incredible and it’s what made me fall in love with them. Jimmy Gnecco is the lead singer of the band and he has one of the most amazing voices I’ve ever heard. Check them out!
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I love Google Reader. It makes life so easy. Congrats to Becky!
I keep up with my blogs on my google homepage. (iGoogle) It’s easy to add blogs (I use a browser with a “subscribe to this page” feature). I then just choose to add it to my igoogle page as opposed to my google reader. The three column format works for me. They’re automatically set to show the three latest posts. But each can be edited to show up to nine I think. They show each post as a link so you’re taken directly to that person’s blog. (The other way to add blogs would be to use the “add stuff” feature. Then click on “add feed or gadget”)
I do have a more than a few blogs I subscribe to on google reader, but I just wasn’t loving that format so much. It wasn’t visually pleasing let’s say.
Before Google Reader I just used the good old method of clicking the links on my blogroll one by one
But as the number of blogs I read increased, that method became impossible. I love Google Reader, and now I don’t know how I ever managed without it. I always follow the link to the person’s page…I have to if I want to leave a comment anyway. And like you once said, it’s great to be able to log in and access your account from any computer.
The format of Google Reader could be more visually pleasing, that’s true, but for me it’s so practical that I no longer care.
Congratulations, Becky
Right now I use Bloglines and it works for me. Yeah I definitely couldn’t use the Firefox live bookmarks, they got too overwhelming. I like that I can save stuff in Bloglines and go back to it later.
Haven’t tried Google reader, but maybe at some point I will.
I use Bloglines and it seems to work pretty well.
Well, you know how many blogs I subscribe to (375+) and I love how Google Reader makes my life so much easier. I thought I would point you over to a great post about Google Reader by Trish at Hey Lady! Whatcha Reading if you haven’t seen it yet.
http://trishsdiary.wordpress.com/2008/03/20/google-reader/
OtherChris, Yeah I’m digging Google Reader again…it’s making things much easier
Becky, That basically sounds like the same as Google reader but a little more convenient. I like the iGoogle thing because you get your email and everything on that one page. Good idea!
Nymeth, I think the feature I love best about reader is that you can access it from any computer. That’s what made me start using it the first time. When I was at work I could still read all my blogs :p Prob shouldn’t have been doing that, but oh well!
Kim, I was debating between going to Google reader and bloglines, but decided to go with google because I seem to use them for everything. But yeah, live bookmarks just gets to be way too much!
Stephanie, Another vote for Bloglines! hmmm…have to look into that one too!
Natasha, I still can’t get over the amount of blogs that you read!! That’s crazy! lol…I’m sure Google Reader makes your life MUCH easier. Especially with your new review site. Thanks for the link!
I’m all over trying new music, so I’ll give these two a listen to.
I have no advice on the internet questions, I still kick it old school as far as this stuff goes and just use my firefox bookmarks. Didn’t even know this kind of fancy stuff existed.
Chris, I use the “Next” button in Google Reader, which lets me visit every blog personally, rather than through the reader. Look under “Settings” and “Goodies” and drag the “Next >>” bookmark up onto your bookmark bar. Easy peasy. Hit the button and it takes you to the “next” unread entry on your blogroll.
I love Google Reader, couldn’t live without it. I did start putting all my friends on the side of my blog and clicking on each one - but found it tiresome especially as not all of my blogging friends post every day - myself included
If I feel compelled to comment I just follow the link through to the bloggers page and leave one. I have them organised into groups - and not just book blogs either.
Hey, thanks for the intro to Ours. I’m sampling their stuff online right now. You’re right, Jimmy Gnecco has great vocals.
ok.. i am out of this one! I have no idea what google reader even is! ..and I don’t have foxfire.
ummm.. so what IS google reader????
Carl, Glad you’re giving Ours a go! They’re one of my favorites…they’re first album is much more melodic and is what made me fall in love with them. They actually have one in the middle of the two I mentioned too, but it’s not as good, but it’s still good music!
CDN, Thanks for the tip! I didn’t know about that little feature..that’s really cool! That’ll help alot. That’s the only thing I don’t like is not seeing everyone’s pages
Sally, I know exactly what you mean…it gets very tiresome clicking on everyone’s links..plus I’m horrible about updating my blogroll :p People probably get very offended by not seeing themselves on there, but I just never update :/ I didn’t know you could organize into groups either! I’m learning all kinds of new stuff!
D-O, Yay! I love introducing new people to Ours…so few people have heard about them, but the people who have are really dedicated fans. I’ve been to tons of their shows and it’s like a cult gathering every time they come to town, lol. It’s really beautiful stuff. He pours his soul into everything he does.
Deslily, It’s actually a really cool little thing. It’s one page where you put in all the blogs you read and it automatically updates and puts everyones new posts on one page. So instead of clicking through all the blogs to look for new posts, you just go to this one page and it has all the new posts of the day from every blog you read right there here’s the link
Rats! Was this it?
Although I’m bummed that I missed out on this, I’m glad you found a good alternate… and I guess I should go add your blog to my Google Reader!
Marina, Oh no! 2 days after I picked someone else
I had announced the winner about a week and a half ago/2 weeks ago on another post…sorry u missed it 
I’ll let you know next time I have a giveaway!
I just checked out their video for Sometimes on You Tube. Great stuff!!! I can see why you like them so much. I really enjoyed this. Unfortunately most of their You Tube videos are terrible quality concert footage, but I’ll give them a listen to on Rhapsody as well.
Awesome Carl!! Yeah, Sometimes was their first single off of their first album and probably the most success they’ve had so far. Though they have high hopes for this new album. Sometimes gives a really good example of his vocal range and how he can go from that really delicate vocal to that loud powerful vocal…love it and glad you enjoyed it too! There’s tons of bootleg concert footage out there. Like I told Dark Orpheus, they have a HUGE underground, dedicated following and they always allow video and camera equipment to their shows by the fans which is cool.
Chris, I’ve heard that there’s a plugin to Firefox? that allows you to see the actual web page in Google Reader…email me if you have questions.
I only recently discovered Google Reader and have not looked back since. I have no idea how I managed to keep track of the different blogs I read without it!
Trish, Awesome! That’s one of the things I love about Firefox..so many neat plugins…they get a bit out of hand if you use too many of them though. Thanks for the tip!
Rhinoa, Same here…it’s so much more convenient and I’ve cut my blog reading time in half…but I still get to enjoy it!
I think I need to go back to using something like Google Reader, or maybe just get my blog feeds set up in Outlook again, as I’m currently finding it too difficult to browse to each blog without being distracted (bloody guests and their TV watching habits…).
Quix, LOL…I know exactly what you mean. I can’t believe the amount of time I’m saving browsing blogs since I started using Google Reader. You really should think of switching over. Tabbing to each individual blog used to require at least an hour for my blog reading which was just getting out of control. I didn’t know you could set up blog feeds in Outlook either! That’s cool!