Jon's Two Minute Guide to all this RSS Newsfeed Nonsense

Why should I read this?

Because there is an emerging set of standards and technologies that will allow you to view all your favorite news and information sources all in one convenient place. You can keep on top of a large number of sources easily and conveniently, and more easily tap into grassroots and alternative sources.

Give me an example:

Everyday I read the top headlines from the New York Times, the Washington Post, Bloomberg News Service, CNN, the BBC, the Guardian, the Hindu (India), and the China Daily. I also monitor the AP and UPI newswires. I get the latest from the Onion and Salon's comics when they come online. I get the latest cycling news. And I read my friends' blogs. I never leave one page, I never waste time looking through my bookmarks, I never miss a story.

Ok, but all the stuff you read sucks, what else is out there?

Start by looking at NewsIsFree, the best one-stop list of sources I've found. Its pretty extensive. I'll add more as I find good lists, and post a list of the sources I use.

Ok, how do I get this?

You need a client, for the PC:

• NewzCrawler - What I use. Its shareware, but it doesn't interfere at all. Its not perfect, but its the best I've found out there. I really like the interface, its simple, but very functional. Does everything I ask.

• This one looks very nice: http://ranchero.com/software/netnewswire/
• A java one that is more complicated maybe: http://www.johnmunsch.com/projects/HotSheet/
• One that looks like it ahs a rad interface but maybe only does headlines: http://homepage.mac.com/stas/slashdock.html
• Another one with fabulous interface, but just a headline grabber: http://www.mulle-kybernetik.com/software/MulleNewz/

What else?

O'Reily Article about the differences in standards and some other technical information