Feedbin: A Google Reader Replacement That May Be Worth $2 Per Month

Google Reader is sun-setting and shutting down on July 1st. Like most Google services, it was free – and in a world where many Web services are free, it’s easy to forget that developers need to eat, too. If you’re not the one paying for their lunch, then the money comes from advertisers. And that means you’re the product, not the customer: Those developers will use what they know about you to tailor ads that are likely to be relevant to you.

That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but I, for one, like to feel as though I’m the customer. That’s why I like the idea behind Feedbin, an RSS reader that costs $2/month. Feedbin is gutsier than most paid services: It doesn’t even have a free trial option (except for an unadvertised three days, as you’ll see below). If you want to try it out, you’ll have to give them your payment details. Either that, or read this review, because I’m going to do that right now.

Signing Up

Feedbin’s signup screen is austere in the extreme – it almost looks like someone forgot to style it:

These guys don’t beat around the bush. There are no sales pitch on this page, and no friendly images of happy humans. Just a bunch of text boxes asking for my hard-earned money. At least they won’t bill me if I cancel within three days, which is something.

Getting Started

Once you pay, you get to a screen that looks like this:

Again, note the complete lack of explanation texts or wizards. Feedbin just assumes you know what you’re doing – there’s literally no handholding. Okay, let’s find out how to import my Google Reader feeds:

By going to Account > Import/Export I get an option to upload my OPML file. It doesn’t even say it’s looking for an OPML – I guess I’m expected to know that on my own.

After feeding it with my OPML, the screen was rapidly populated with my feeds, and Feedbin suddenly started looking quite a bit more attractive.

In Use

This is what Feedbin looks like when it’s populated:

You’ve got your list of feeds on the left, the current feed’s stories in a vertical list in the middle, and then a roomy reading pane on the right. Let’s take a closer look at the feed and item lists:

So, each feed has a little badge showing the number of unread items. The items list shows enough of an excerpt about each item to let me decide whether or not I even want to bother reading it (useful for “firehose-style” websites that have very active feeds). One annoying interface quirk is that when you click on a feed, its first item is not automatically selected and displayed. You must click on the feed, then click the first item, then read. You can also click on the feed and then tap Space on your keyboard.

Keyboard Shortcuts

Speaking of the keyboard, Feedbin supports a number of keyboard shortcuts:

Unlike Google Reader (and Vim), it doesn’t use J and K to navigate entries, but the more traditional arrow keys. This seemed like a good idea at first, until I realized I can’t use the down arrow to scroll long entries: If you’re reading a long post and want to scroll down, tapping the down arrow is actually going to take you to the next item in the feed. The only way I found to scroll through an individual item is by tapping Space, which scrolls an entire screenful at a time. Worse still, if you tap Space by mistake and want to scroll back up, you’ll have to reach for your mouse. This is really the biggest drawback Feedbin has, for me.

Sharing, Filtering and Social Features

Found an amazing story on some blog? Did someone post a striking image on their Tumblog you can’t wait to share with friends? That’s great, but Feedbin isn’t going to help you there. I would put a screenshot of its social and sharing features, only there are none. I mean, literally, none. Not even a tweet button or anything like that. If you liked Google Reader’s old sharing features, you may be better served by something like The Old Reader.

Feedbin also eschews any sort of intelligent (or semi-intelligent) filtering. If you have so many feeds that you need some algorithm to help you figure out what items you should read, you might want to check out Feedbooster, a reader with a strong emphasis on filtering.

Summary: Pros and Cons

Pros:

• A very clean, ad-free interface.


• The service is fast.


• No handholding, assumes you know what you’re doing.

Cons:

• No way to scroll up and down individual items using the keyboard.


• Absolutely no sharing features.

Overall: Feedbin gets the job done. I can’t help but admire its business model and gutsy attitude towards billing, but until they fix the horrible scrolling issue, it’s not a service I’ll be able to use personally. If you don’t mind scrolling with the mouse, don’t often share items (I don’t), and want a clean and simple reader, this is it.

Will you be trying it out? Is there another reader you’re using?

The post Feedbin: A Google Reader Replacement That May Be Worth $2 Per Month appeared first on MakeUseOf.

Google shows publicly spam sites

On a new web page , Google shows live examples of web pages that have been removed from the Google index. These pages use aggressive techniques, such as spam gibberish automatically generated cloaking and content copied from other sites. Your site is in danger?

Some of the pages that Google posted on the site are of obvious poor quality pages:

While other sites use hidden text, hidden, or use other techniques that spam will not be visible to site visitors:

Google is strict on the site delete spam from their search results pages, and it is for this reason that you should avoid spam methods to promote your website.

Spam is not done to optimize

Unfortunately, many tools are spamming and labeled as "seo tools". If you find a tool or service that promises to "dominate Google" or "thousands of backlinks automatic ', it is very likely that you have found a tool for spamming. Although these tools work for some time, Google will penalize your site sooner or later if you use them.

Fully automated SEO solutions are tempting but also very risky!

Real optimization for search engines will be more beneficial for your websites, and researchers.

We all have more or less time to devote to the promotion of our websites. It is for this reason that many people fall into this trap that the promises of marketing shadow on Internet that promise quick and easy solutions. It is also true that sometimes these methods do a good job, at least for a while, and finally up to what Google finds out that you use this method to promote your site, then chances are that your site is removed from the index Google.

Search engines do not like being deceived. Google engineers are working hard on detection methods that are used spam to manipulate their search results. So far, every "secret method that will boost your Google rankings in no time" was detected by Google.

Most search engines consider spam as follows:

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  cloaking (the web server is so programmed to present a different web page content depending on whether the remote client is a search engine robot or a human user.)
  
  


• 
  
  sneaky redirects
  
  


• 
  
  hidden text (text that has a color that is very similar to the background color, text very small font size, text that was hidden with CSS, etc.)..
  
  


• 
  
  participation in outreach programs automated
  
  


• 
  
  artificial blog networks that exist for the sole purpose of linking to other sites
  
  


• 
  
  automatically created profiles forum with links to your site
  
  


• 
  
  automatically created blog comments with links to your site
  
  


• 
  
  paid links that do not use the rel = nofollow attribute
  
  

If you use these SEO methods, search engines may completely prohibit the existence of your website. It is for this reason that it is very important that you use only safe methods to promote your site.

You need to optimize the content of web pages

Google sees your website as a whole. All pages of your site are analyzed to determine if your site is relevant to a topic.

This means that you need to optimize different pages of your website for different keywords but related. More web pages of your website are optimized for keywords on a particular topic, the more likely it is that your website will get high rankings for a particular keyword that is related to this topic.

Google's technology analyzes the full content of a page and factors in fonts, subdivisions and the precise location of each word. Google also analyzes the content of neighboring web pages to ensure the results returned are the most relevant to a user query. You should optimize all factors that can affect your search engine rankings.

Integrate a social

The content of your web pages and backlinks from other sites are the most important signals for classification. Most often, the more your site is mentioned on social networks, the more popular it is. This can give a boost to the ranking of your pages. So do not hesitate to place a module in your social pages.

Google Reader Is Dead: What Do You Think About It? [MakeUseOf Poll]

Last week we asked you what you think of the new SimCity game and its problematic launch. Despite the generally good reviews the game has received prior to launch, the buggy launch and forced online play seems to lower the game’s appeal, at least for MakeUseOf readers.

Out of 259 votes in total, the votes were divided as follows: 3.5% played the game but don’t think it’s anything special, another 3.5% bought the game but couldn’t manage to play properly, 11% played the game and think it’s awesome, 19% want to buy it but haven’t don’t so yet, 34% love SimCity but will not buy the game at its current price/conditions, and 29% of the readers who voted are not interested in the game at all.

Full results and this week’s poll after the jump.

Don’t forget to check out last week’s best comment by Pedro Moreira, who won 150 reward points for sharing his thoughts!

This week’s poll question is: Google Reader Is Dead: What Do You Think About It?

Want to make some extra MakeUseOf reward points? The most useful comment on the poll will be awarded 150 points!

This week’s poll question is the obvious one considering the week’s biggest news: the end of Google Reader. Despite Google’s claim that Reader’s usage was declining, the uproar that followed the announcement seems to point otherwise. Are you a Google Reader user, or do you use a different RSS reader that doesn’t rely on Google’s product? Do you understand Google’s decision, or do you think it’s a huge mistake? How do you think this decision will affect RSS services? Tell us what you think of Google’s most controversial decision in quite a while.

Don’t forget to tell us in the comments why shutting down Google Reader is good or bad, and of course, share some good alternatives, if you have any!

The post Google Reader Is Dead: What Do You Think About It? [MakeUseOf Poll] appeared first on MakeUseOf.

Google Image Search to Add Filters For Animations and Transparent Images

Google tests a new version of the advanced image search page that lets you restrict the results to transparent images and animated images. The most popular image file formats that support transparency are GIF and PNG, while most animated images are GIF files.

It's interesting to notice that this version of the advanced image search page removes the feature that allowed you to pick a dominant color. Let's hope that it's just a bug.

New Bookmarklets and RSS Extensions for Google Reader Alternatives

Google dropped support for Reader and also discontinued the RSS Chrome extensions. No reason to worry though as new bookmarklets and Chrome add-ons fill the void.

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This story, New Bookmarklets and RSS Extensions for Google Reader Alternatives, was originally published at Digital Inspiration on 18/03/2013 under Bookmarklets, Google Chrome, RSS, Software.

Related Reading:

1. An RSS Feed Reader for Google Chrome


2. Prevent Google Chrome from Hijacking RSS Feeds


3. How to Install Extensions from outside the Chrome Web Store


4. Find the Subscriber Count of any RSS Feed with Google Reader


5. How to Generate RSS Feeds of Google Plus Profiles

3 Desktop Color Picker Applications To Help You Pick The Perfect Shade

“Creative” is a word I’ll never use to describe myself! Not visually, at least. I’m proud of much of what I can do on the Internet, but when it comes to graphics and image editing, you won’t see me throwing out my two cents. However, I am very picky and a bit of a perfectionist.

For years, I’ve been designing small websites and learning the basics of web design using CSS. Doing so, you need to be a master of the hex color chart. Picking the wrong color for any creative or professional piece of work can cause it to fizzle before your eyes. Let’s not let that happen. In this article, I’d like to show you three of the best desktop color picker applications to help find the perfect color for you.

Color Cop

Color Cop is the type of tool that belongs in every portable application bundle and on everyone’s flash drive. It is available on the website as a standalone installation or portable application, supporting several different languages.

Here are a few of the major features:

• A single-pixel or chunk eyedropper that allows you to sample any area of your screen.


• A magnifier, to help zoom in and select an area of your screen to sample.


• Several output options so that you can translate the selected color to the exact format you need.


• Seven tabs of color history, that will let you view the last selected colors.

The application itself is very compact and simple.

As you can see above, I’ve used the eyedropper to select part of the Skype desktop icon. From there, I’m able to analyze any of the colors in a zoomed-in snapshot of the area I’ve selected.

Right-clicking anywhere on the application will allow you to change any color or sampling options, as well as configure the program to stay on top, minimize to the system tray, and more.

Webmaster’s Toolkit

Webmaster’s Toolkit is one of the cleanest solutions to this niche of software. Though it isn’t free, it is available to you on a 30-day trial that you can get plenty of usage out of. It should work on any version of Windows from 2000 onward.

As you can see, the application does a great job of telling you how to use it all within the first tab of the interface.

From that tab, you can switch to the color picker that will let you fine tune your selection.

The application has a pretty limited set of additional options, though you are able to see how many days of the evaluation you have left, and you can also set Webmaster’s Toolkit to launch on startup or minimize into your tray.

Overall, I really like this solution. If I was in a position where I’d only temporarily need to use an application like this, Webmaster’s Toolkit may be the best way to go. However, it is only an evaluation and for that reason I’d put other software ahead of it.

Instant Color Picker

Instant Color Picker is a refreshingly different way to to use a color picker. It’s available for all versions of Windows and comes as a standalone installation.

Upon launching the application, the only thing you’ll first see is the following color bar:

Clicking and holding the eyedropper (the topmost icon) will set your cursor as a magnifying glass and allow you to hover over areas of your screen to show them in a magnified view. Once you’ve selected an area you’re happy with, letting go of the left mouse button locks it in place.

From there, the RBG, ASL, and hex color codes are shown at the bottom. Selecting a pixel will also add its color to the history bar. Hovering over a color in the bar will display the related color information.

In the options, you’re able to change most basics like the zoom, sampling, and magnifier size. Deeper in the options you can do things like assign hotkeys to Instant Color Picker.

Picking the right color does not have to be a chore if you just select one of the options above. Each of them has their own individual perks, and I’ll leave it up to you to determine which is the best. Let me know which application you prefer in the comments!

The post 3 Desktop Color Picker Applications To Help You Pick The Perfect Shade appeared first on MakeUseOf.

Don’t Try This At Home! Extreme Science Experiments With Photonicinduction [Stuff to Watch]

The combination of YouTube, scientists and the quest for rating often makes for explosive results, whether it’s a running joke about being terrible at science or zero-gravity experiments that look incredible. This week’s Stuff to Watch features YouTube channel Photonicinduction, two very capable scientists conducting experiments that no scientist ever would recommend you try yourself.

These guys clearly know their stuff and have a literal shed load of scientific equipment to mis-use and abuse, though that’s not to say these are safe experiments in anyone’s hands. If you always wished your science teacher had gone a little crazy and let you run riot with high voltage, petrol and home appliances then this is one YouTube channel you must subscribe to.

Extreme Dyson Test

When you spill petrol, light it on fire and decide to clean up what’s the first step you should take? Well it’s probably not going to involve vacuuming up fire, but that’s what the guys from Photonicinduction seem to think works best.

It’s definitely worth watching to the end to see just how much punishment a Dyson can take before giving up the ghost.

“Fun” With An Autotransformer

An autotransformer is a device which allows the user to modify the voltage delivered to a circuit. What you should never do with such a device is wire it up to a good friend and turn up the voltage. If you do, be sure to stop before you kill him or her.

This technique is demonstrated fairly well in the video below. There’s nothing wrong with a small shock, but it’s generally not a great idea to do this.

Washing Machine Self-Destructs

How long does the spin cycle on your washing machine last? Does it start smoking half-way through due to the intense speed of the drum? Do you then throw rocks in it?

If you’ve ever needed a good excuse not to throw rocks into a running washing machine (or conduct destructive experiments next to a flower bed) then check out this original video.

Huge 60-Year Old Light Bulb

Just to show it’s not all about blowing things up and shocking friends the guys behind Photonicinduction got their hands on a 1960s Mazda light bulb that was purchased as a spare by the BBC for a film shoot.

There’s no destruction whatsoever in this video, just a rather beautiful relic of the past that still works after all these years.

High Voltage, High Current, Dead Motor

Washing machines and their respective components are often seen as excellent test subjects by the Photonicinduction channel, and this video documents the rather spectacular death of a motor that’s being fed way too much juice.

A Thunderstorm Capacitor

Capacitors store electronic charge before discharging a potentially deadly shock, and are important in the functioning of everyday electronic devices. In this next video our mad professor discharges 400,000 volts delivered via the usual 13 amp plug from the comfort of his house.

This is essentially manufacturing an electric storm, with rather incredible results at the end. Unfortunately, we can’t embed this video, so watch it directly on YouTube: Photon’s Thunderstorm Capacitor

The Railgun

A coil gun, often known as a railgun in popular culture, is an incredibly efficient way of firing a projectile using electricity. These things are not hard to make, but have the potential to be incredibly dangerous.

Also dangerous is the practice of putting a coconut inside a watermelon and discharging a capacitor through it, also featured here.

Fire & Ice

Does snow burn? That depends on whether you’re going to add petrol to the mix or not. The results of this rather interesting winter experiment are rather beautiful as the snow appears to be burning. It’s also probably one of the safest experiments conducted on this YouTube channel, though that’s not saying much.

Maybe this will make for a new effective way of clearing snow, then again maybe not.

The Rest

There are around 100 videos in the Photonicinduction YouTube channel, and while many of them involve the wanton destruction of retired home appliances, others are actually quite educational (honest). Watching Photonicinduction is a lot safer than conducting your own dangerous experiments, so check out the YouTube channel for more lunacy.

Do you have any favourite mad science YouTube channels? Any other favourites you’d like us to feature? Let us know what you think in the comments, below.

The post Don’t Try This At Home! Extreme Science Experiments With Photonicinduction [Stuff to Watch] appeared first on MakeUseOf.