Section 2.2. Desktop Applications

2.2. Desktop Applications

If you prefer to run a dedicated application to read your RSS, you have lots of options.

2.2.1. NetNewsWire

Because of its beauty and utility, the leading feed-reading application on Apple OS X, NetNewsWire (http://ranchero.com/netnewswire/; see Figure 2-4) caused a stir when it was first released. Version 2 is even better and is my personal favorite. It's not free, but you can try out a 30-day demo.

Figure 2-4. NetNewsWire in action

2.2.2. FeedDemon

The most popular feed application on Windows, FeedDemon (see Figure 2-5) is an accomplished three-pane display newsreader. It's not free, but there is a trial version. It even has a built-in web browser.

Figure 2-5. FeedDemon in action

2.2.3. NewsMonster

Never has an application been so fittingly named. NewsMonster (http://www.newsmonster.org/) is an enormous application. It's cross-platform and runs on Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux, off the back of Mozilla 1.0 or better. It's a truly ambitious piece of work with a lot of features you won't find anywhere elsefor example, reputation networks, where users can recommend feeds to each other, and so on. It's well worth a look (see Figure 2-6).

Figure 2-6. NewsMonster in action inside Mozilla 1.7 on OS X