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Today is the first day us geekerati won't be powering our daily reading with Google Reader (at least those of us who still rely on RSS). There were many of us who loved and relied heavily on Google Reader, and I wrote a story about how hard it is when a beloved product doesn't love you back. But the question I'm being asked is, what are you doing now for RSS reading?
#1. Backing up my Google Reader data
Google has enabled us to export all sorts of data from Google Reader via its personal archive service Google Takeout, including a list of all of your RSS feed subscriptions, starred items, and more. I exported my Google Reader data and stored it to Google Drive. You only have until July 15th to do this, so get on it.
#2. Creating an account on Feedly
If you're a power RSS reader, you need an RSS reader that is flexible, personalizable and accessible on all of your devices. Feedly is a good choice because it's an RSS reader in itself and has also built an API backend to replace Google Reader's 3rd party application community. I am not in love with Feedly itself (it always seemed to pretty to me), but its leadership position in the RSS marketplace means it's dependable for all my needs.
#3. Transitioning my mobile applications
I do most of my RSS reading on my phone, and often underground in the subway. I rely on power RSS reading apps that let you cache feeds to read offline, skim lots of content quickly, and sync data among other things. I've opted for Reeder on iOS and Press on Android, both because they're the best in their respective marketplace and because they both sync cleanly to the Feedly cloud.
#4. Testing out new RSS products
While I'm relying primarily on Feedly, Reeder and Press right now, I'm also exploring other options. The one I'm most excited about is Digg Reader, a very new product from the Betaworks team that is being developed with the power user in mind. I love the synergistic social news ecosystem that Betaworks is developing with Digg, Digg Reader, Bit.ly and Instapaper. They have a long way to go towards making this a reality, but I'm optimistic. I'm also considering testing Feedbin and News Blur, two cross-platform RSS readers that have admirably put a stake in the ground for a paying business model that could help sustain them long term.
So that's my post Google Reader RSS plan right now. What's yours?
Additional reading: A bittersweet goodbye to Google Reader, the online girlfriend who dumped me.
