Were you as perplexed and disappointed as I was to get this notification that Google Reader is closing down shop in July? Usage has declined, according to Google. Still I bet ALOT of people still use it. In fact, loyal users started a Keep Google Reader campaign, a petition that over 40,000 people have signed it.
The petition allows for commentary on why the product shouldn’t retire. Aside from “I love google reader,” others expressed worry of other google products being taken away. For example, what if after reducing unread messages from 15,000 to 35 (Thanks Tony!) they decide to end gmail?
Google, instead of cutting our beloved google reader, a useful tool for organizing the infinite cluster fuck that the internet is – why not get rid of Google Plus instead, which is a boring cluster fuck of a social network?
Unless this petition works, we must find an alternative. Here are Life Hacker’s 5 Best Google Reader Alternatives. I am going to try The Old Reader, which seems super simple and allows me to easily import my Google reader feed. Fingers crossed.
What reader will you use come July? Let us know in the comments section.
I’ve already made the switch to The Old Reader and it works like a charm!
I’ve made the switch to Feedly, begrudgingly (I still use Google Reader primarily, and will continue to do through July). Feedly is fine, but it’s too fucking pretty and design-y for me. Sigh.
I switched to NetVibes and am liking it. Really, Google should just give Reader to the community instead of just trashing it.
Thanks for all the advice. I am totally dragging my feet. I agree with Sam, that I don’t need it to look cool or design-ey. It’s for READING!
Maybe the petition will actually work. AFTER everyone is already set-up on their new readers.