RSS Reader Review

(From my internal IBM blog posted on 29 July 2008)

As my IBM organization, Application Management Services, begins to adopt 2.0 tools, many sales and solutioners will ask which RSS reader is best? The official response is "None are recommended because it is a matter of preference." Below are few I have tested. I welcome your thoughts as well.

I have only included readers that will accept internal IBM feeds since I believe the pros of using Google Reader or Bloglines outweigh the con of having to use two different readers to read external and internal IBM feeds.

I am personally using the Notes 8 reader since it is very simple and integrated into Notes.

Spectacular (Internal web based RSS reader)
Pros
Ability to watch an individual's activity (such as a team member)
More options than Notes
Large user community
Cons
Have to go to a separate website to read feeds

Lotus 8 - Notes based reader with basic functionality
Pros
No need to go somewhere else to read feeds
Possible support from IBM
Cons
Not as flexible as other readers

Firefox Live Bookmarks - Browser based reader with basic functionality
Pros
No need to go somewhere else to read feeds
Cons
Not as flexible as other readers
No traditional support

FeedDemon - External reader, Stand Alone Application
Pros
Lots of options
Alerting functionality
Cons
Need to install another application