Easier way to aggregate RSS Feeds with Google Reader’s Bundle Creator
Was writing last week on trying to aggregate RSS feeds into Facebook and on the same day, Google Reader publishes Bundles. This makes it a lot easier to share feeds that one is reading. Simple interface and works well!
Getting multiple RSS Feeds on Facebook
Was trying to look at how to post multiple rss feeds into Facebook since it doesn’t support it natively. Luckily there is Yahoo Pipes to the rescue. Great guide here teaches how to configure pipes easily to manage the aggregation of multiple feeds so that it can be used in the Facebook blog/rss notes posting. So with this link, I now have notes from 3 blogs automatically posted to Facebook.
I’ll need to take a look also at http://openkapow.com/ and http://www.dapper.net/.
Will Google Chrome replace Firefox?
Firefox 3 has all but replaced Firefox 2 and Internet Explorer 7 as my main web browser on 3 desktops, 2 laptops and a netbook. The main reason? The plugin support that allows me to customize the browsing experience to be as clean and sleek as possible. With the new Google Chrome, this new beta browser makes even more tempting to try it out. Initial impressions are good with it’s promise of multi-process tab browswing built from the ground up. Google Gears is integrated immediately, which was a nice surprise when using Google Reader for the first time. We’ll have to see how it’s plugin support compares to Firefox’s established base of developers.
Did a quick test to see how the memory footprint compared across all 3 browsers, Firefox 3.01, Chrome 0.2.149.27 and IE 7.00.6000.16386. Type “about:memory” in the address bar in Chrome. Surprisingly, IE showed the least memory amount used. Always felt that IE was a bit sugglish on page loads but who knows what other background processes it’s sharing with Vista 
The UI for Chrome is definitely very appealing, clean sleek look with just a tabbed interface and none of those useless icons and toolbars to clutter the browsing experience. This looks to be a real asset on the screen estate challenged netbook since it has a very small viewable area. Hopefully, it’ll stand up well during tests. Looks like a very promising start for a beta product from Google.
A nice little usability feature which I just noticed is that when pasting an item into the address bar (which also acts as a search input) is that it intelligently determines if it’s a URL and will show “paste and go” or a search item and shows “paste and search”. Nice little touch to make life a little easier for users.
iPhone gets a 25 minutes video tour
With 25 minutes, iPhone does something which most companies don’t even other to do, a video tour that showcases its more impressive features. I think its pretty considerate of them considering how a lot of people probably don’t know how to work their phones. Using a video is rather clever since they created a clear cut manner to deliver a tutorial rather effectively and at the same time create awareness of the features without making the user read the manual!
I recently had to configure a Samsung SGH-i600 for a customer and even though I consider myself quite tech-inclined, I had trouble making sense of the options and how to get to them. In a device with small screen real estate, user experience and simplicity is paramount. While I think Windows Mobile is a great platform (and I even develop on it), it isn’t the most efficient manner to address a broad audience. So kudos to Apple for remembering the customer and letting them know that not reading the manual to make sense of their purchase is ok.
Nike+ and Runner+ : Better Analytics for your run
Entering my second week of using the Nike+ system for tracking my progress on my “Walk to Run” schedule. Its been great so far since the system tracks the distance and pace quite accurately. Having music while jogging definitely also makes it a lot easier to enjoy the run
Once the data is uploaded to Nike+’s website, you’ll see your last run featured on the home page. There isn’t much you can see or analyze more from the animated flash chart even though it looks pretty fancy. Also, it lacks the community aspect that Nike+ seems to want to promote since discussions are mainly in forums instead of on individual runs. A nice touch however is the ability to include goals for yourself to achieve. I set myself a goal of running 10 times in 4 weeks. Other goals include to run faster, burn more calories or even run further.
http://www.nike.com/europerunning/#train|train_tool
Coupled with Nike Europe Running’s training schedule, the system makes for a pretty effective way to track and schedule runs. I chose the “Walk to Run” schedule since I don’t think I can go flat out to 5km immediately so better to go slow and build up my fitness. The best part? The system automatically syncs the data from Nike+ to the schedule so I can see runs as part of my schedule too. The only missing link would be for the training schedule to be played to my iPod since some of the instructions like “(Walk 5 min, Run 3 min) x2. Walk 5 min.” makes for a lot of pressing the centre button to track progress.
In my quest to figure out what could be done with the data, I stumbled upon a great site created by Chris Duke at Runner+. When I first got my kit, Runner+ was still in beta and registrations were by invite only. Not expecting an immediate reply, I tried my luck and was surprised to find an invite just moments later.
After about a week of running and keeping track of the runs, the most obvious difference that you’ll seeing in Runner+ is the amount of effort put into creating a social aspect to running. The site isn’t done in a fancy flash user interface but yet offers more to the user. From seeing who has viewed your runs to adding notes to runs, it makes it a more interesting experience to use the Nike+ system.
Managed to get in contact with Chris since I also manage SportsKaki’s web programming that primarily focuses on finding friends for sports. Its good to know he also has similar ideas for a Friend Finder function in Runner+.
The good news? Runner+ is now in Open Beta so all users can start joining and sharing their runs. Have fun on your next run