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The next series of posts that I will be writing will remain in line with some themes that I wanted to share with everyone following Lost In Technology’s new move to include Apple coverage. In the coming months I will tackle topics to include software for blogging, designing, writing, business, creative, and educational.
My hope is to provide for you the best of what I have found, but also create an open environment for others to share what they use. I’m sure that there are Apple fans out there that want to give their two cents and I gladly welcome it.
The first tool that I want to cover is NewsFire. Typically, prior to writing I look for tools that will help me gather information. Before, I would aimlessly search the net for previous stories written on a topic, or go to the subject matter’s website for more insight from their “About” page. Luckily now a lot of that trouble is saved by subscribing to RSS Feeds.
Most sites offer “feeds” that can be directed to a single collection area called a “reader.” Utilizing the “readers” functions, you can sort your news, read your news, and check daily for updates. NewsFire is a standalone application that not just collects RSS Feeds, but looks good doing it too!
NewsFire is a fashionable reader that supports Atom, RSS, and Podcasting. Some of the features it sports are groups, smart groups, labels, search and seamless iTunes integration. I’ve found smart groups to be especially useful because you simply click on “Create Smart Group” and type in the topic you’re looking for, “mobile apps” for example. Once you’ve established your smart group NewsFire will search the net for all posts related to “mobile apps” within a certain set time frame and provide those posts for you. This makes research for material easier and more fun.
It might be easier for some to simply stick to their own RSS readers like Google Reader, but for those of us looking to seriously write an article citing posts from our feeds, we can eliminate the distraction and get everyone in one shot with NewsFire. I highly recommend this application as a unique alternative to the rest.
Luis Sandoval is a media professional and consultant who shares his insights on social media and technology on his blog The Daily Slackr.
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[...] subscribe by email. You can also connect with us through social networks. Thanks for visiting!After gathering all your information through Newsfire and formulating the post in your head, it’s time to take that idea and put it on [...]