5 Tips to Improve Google Reader
Being the huge fan of Google tools that I am, when it came to choosing an RSS Reader, it was obviously an easy decision. I stayed with the Goog, and opted for Google Reader. And naturally given my predilection towards junkiedom over apps, addons, and extensions (oh my), I have to get my customization on. So I have gone off in search of the finest, funnest ways to enhance my tools to make them all that they can be (short of having them enlisted. The following are my tips for improving Google Reader.
Helvetireader
Helvetireader is a userscript that pares down Google Reader to the essentials. In particular, it is made for looking at just unread feeds in the expanded view, using Keyboard Shortcuts instead of on-screen buttons. It’ is not going to suit how everyone uses Google Reader, so you can take the CSS and personalize to your hearts content!
Better GReader
Better GReader is a Firefox Add-on that adds a menu of options that you can enable within Google Reader. You can find a list of the scripts featured at the download page.
Smart Subscribe Button
The Smart Google Reader Subscribe Button places an unobtrusive feed icon in the upper-right portion of the screen, allowing two-click subscription to feeds that are encountered and also lets you know if you are already subscribed to that feed or not.
Read it Later
Read it Later is a Firefox Addon that allows you to save pages of interest to read later. It eliminates cluttering of bookmarks with sites that are merely of a one-time interest.
Google Reader +
Google Reader + Twitter adds an option to posts allowing you to tweet that post with one press of a button.
Google Reader + Bookmarks adds an option to posts allowing you to add that post to Google Bookmarks with one press of a button.
Google Reader + Facebook adds an option to posts allowing you to share that post on Facebook with one press of a button.
Google Reader + Delicious adds an option to posts allowing you to add that post to Delicious with one press of a button.
Wrap Up
So, that’s that. Those are my favorite Google Reader game changers that are always inhabiting my reader. If you want a few more options take a look at Mashable’s 50+ Google Reader Extensions and Scripts For Firefox…that should keep you busy for a while. Also, if you have any favorites not mentioned here, please comment with a link!
Grab the Feed
This is pretty interesting. I have been struggling along with iGoogle as my only “reader” and I rely on Twitter for the majority of my daily reads.
In finding more and more great sites, though, I think I will try setting this up. It has to be more efficient than what I’m doing!
Thanks Dan. I couldn’t function without my reader. While I do find quite a few great links through Twitter, I also know that I miss quite a few great links just because I’m not on 24/7.
I know a lot of people don’t like having 200 feeds to wade through every day. But I love the fact that I can get at least the headlines of all of my favorite blogs in one place. And while I don’t read every article in my reader, it makes it a lot easier to sort through the content and find what I do want to read.
I really want Helvetireader but can’t get it on Chrome :(
What about feedly?? :D
You’re right, Harry. Feedly is awesome and should have been 6th on the list. I can’t believe I forgot it since I did an entire article on it a while back.
For anyone who doesn’t know, Feedly is a magazine like start page for your reader with full support of Google reader.
Yes, I have to say by far Feedly is the best app I’ve come across for Google Reader. I am addicted to it now and use it all the time when I’m looking for content to post on Twitter.
Not directly related to Google Reader, but a great place to find loads of cool and relevant blogs is alltop.com. Add new rss feeds to your hearts desire.
Thanks Angie, I’ll be sure to RT :)