Bloglines Gives Me Static

Yes, this week's question may very well be: "Does the use of RSS/RSS aggregators mitigate or aggravate the problem of Information Overload in today's society?" But as VP candidate, Alaska Governor, & hockey mom Sarah Palin said to moderator Gwen Ifill at Thursday's debate: "I may choose not to answer the questions you ask!"

...Well, at least not at first. ;)

- Because how can I answer the question when I can't get on my primary RSS aggregator? Right off the bat, my answer's goin' to be either a Palinesque demurral or a forceful vote for "aggravate!" after the 7th error message. Because whether you're Joe Six-Pack, a hockey mom, or a member of the hated East Coast, it sure is aggravatin' to be overloadin' on error messages and unloadin' on information. You betcha!

But on a normal day, when Bloglines works and I'm not channeling Governor Palin-via-Tina Fey, I'd say RSS aggregators help you cut through information overload. You get the information that you want, and you can pin any items you want to read later. For example, if I read the NY Times film section, I don't have to click through the home page and scroll through all the stories just to get to the ones about film. Don't want to read something? I don't have to!

Now, sure, you could be overwhelmed to see 39 new items in a particular folder. But generally you can tell from the subject line whether it's of interest or not. Where this does get tricky is when you might miss content within a blog; or even the idea that it might be valuable to read that which is not of immediate interest to you so that you stay informed. But if we're strictly talking to the question, then RSS aggregators are part of the solution, not the problem, when it comes to information overload.

So, when Bloglines works, it's downright mavericky. And when it doesn't: well, say it ain't so, Joe!

Bloglines v. Google Reader

Bloglines: I had some initial issues with bloglines. While it is ultimately easier on the eye and offers more options for presentation of information, it is in no way made easier for beginners.

Case in point, I spied a blog by Anthony Bourdain (Kitchen Confidential, "A Cook's Tour") among the sparkly new fun available on initial signup. However, when I went to add the feed, it would not take. And when I plugged his name keyword into the add/search function in an attempt to find what it lost, bloglines gave me information I did not need, or claimed that it was showing ' 1 of 1' - but displayed a blank page. I had to go outside bloglines to find and add this information.

I've adjusted, though, and made bloglines work.

Google Reader: not really any startup problems on the bloglines level, but it's just an ugly and crowded interface after the clean spaciousness of bloglines. There are a multitude of options along the bottom of the posts, some of which could bear explanation. However, I love the idea that I can be in gmail, with 'teh google', and flex easily into Reader without having to 'open up a can of' tab. One-stop is certainly a plus, if we want to talk convenience. It's just not an easy read - yet.

One thing I will say: I think both of these options will significantly change the way I look at information. I definitely like the fact that blogs update in the reader, eliminating much of my need to travel directly to websites. Wow.

- Tara