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FeedReader

FeedReader icon

FeedReader is a free, open source RSS news reader that is simple to install and use. To download FeedReader visit the SourceForge open source server and download the version of your choice. After installing the FeedReader software you will be ready to subscribe to RSS news feeds.

This is a screen shot of what FeedReader actually looks like when it is open and displaying news. Subscriptions appear in the far left pane. The uppermost arrow points to the current subscription we are viewing. The top right panel lists headlines related to the currently chosen subscription. The lower right panel gives a brief account of the current article selected.

screenshot of FeedReader showing 3 panel design and headlines

 

To subscribe to a particular news feed, click on the orange XML or RSS button. In this case we are looking at the New York Times news feed page. Choose the category you wish to subscribe to.

 

New York Times RSS page screenshot

 

For now we have chosen the technology category. When you click on the XML button you will be presented with a page of raw code within your browser. Ignore the code but copy the URL.

 

XML code page screenshot

 

Open FeedReader and choose "New Feed." A dialog box will open prompting you to enter a URL. Paste your copied URL into the box and click next.

 

FeedReader "Add a Feed"  screenshot

 

You will now see the New York Times feed listed under "My Feeds." The new headlines appear in the headline list as well. Note that headlines which are unread appear in a bold font. This is one advantage to FeedReader that some other readers do not offer. You can also customize FeedReader to alert you to incoming news with sounds or balloon pop ups. Simply click on the "Tools" drop down menu and choose "FeedReader Properties" to mark your preferences.

 

FeedReader properties screenshot

 

For more information about FeedReader visit the FeedReader Website.