A short while ago, I started my hunt for a decent Windows-based RSS Aggregator. I’ve tried a few and I’ll talk about them here.
Attempt #1: IntraVNews - http://www.intravnews.com/
At first, I wanted something to integrate with Outlook, my e-mail client of choice. This is what I chose.
Pros: Great integration with Outlook, slick realtime notifications
Cons: Sometimes causes instability in Outlook, free version only allows 5 feeds (something I believe was recently changed in the product)
Attempt #2: Doppler – http://www.dopplerradio.net/
I also started to look into Podcasting so I downloaded Doppler. I only used it for a day because I abandoned it in search of one product that does both Podcast downloads and text-based RSS feeds equally well.
Pros: Free, nice interface
Cons: Only for podcasts.
Attempt #3: CITA RSS Aggregator – http://www.seeita.com/
I used this one for about a month and I couldn’t take the hokey interface any more. Plus I stopped with the podcasts because I never had time to listen to them.
Pros: Free, effective aggregator, real-time notifications, podcast support
Cons: Hokey interface
Attempt #4: Google Desktop
They have a web clippings module but don’t bother. It really can’t function as a decent RSS reader unless you’re staring at it 24 hours a day. It’s good to view the latest posts on feeds only.
Attempt #5: Sharp Reader http://www.sharpreader.net/
I’ve been using this one for the last month now. It is a very simple and basic reader. It works very well. However, I did not like the real time notifications. They disappeared before you have a chance to see them and there is not enough control over the way the notifications appear. Yes, I am picky.
Pros:Free, simple and effective
Cons:Poor real-time notifications, not very customizable
So I’m off to something else… we’ll see.
