Photograph Credit: Wikipedia
Since I have not received any comments regarding setting up Google Reader and the subscriptions to my feed have increased, I am assuming all the instructions are accurate, and your reader is working great. If this is the case, then fantastic! I love it when directions work the first time. 🙂
If you have missed any sections to this series, these links can bring you up to speed: Part 1 – RSS explained, Part 2 – Google Reader setup, Part 3 – Adding subscriptions, and Part 4 – Customizing. Today, I hope to finish this series by answering the following 4 commonly asked questions:
1. How do I get to the post’s web site from the reader?
A: Click on the title of the post. Each title is a link to the original post on the web site. After clicking the title, you will be directed to that post on that web site. You can then maneuver through the web site as needed.
2. Why are some words or phrases highlighted in a different color?
A: Those words indicate an embedded link. When you click on those words, you will be directed to a post, web site, or blog related to that information.
3. How can I change the format, so I can see the entire post on one screen without scrolling down?
A: Instead of scrolling down and then clicking NEXT ITEM to jump to the next post, you can view your posts in Reader Play.
To view posts in Reader Play:
- While in Google Reader, select ALL ITEMS in the left sidebar.
- In the menu bar on the right side, choose View settings.
- From the drop down menu, click the last option VIEW IN READER PLAY.
- The Reader Play will then open in another window or tab (depending on your browser settings).
- You can still use the keyboard shortcuts to STAR items for later.
- To close out, just close the window or the tab.
4. How can I change the posts with excerpts to show the full post?
A: You cannot change this option. The author of that site has selected partial feed rather than full feed of his posts. If you are frustrated with this option, you are not alone. There are two blogs I read, because their content is great, but they choose partial feed over full feed. In contacting them to vent my frustration, I received a response explaining their choice. Since there are unscrupulous individuals who steal original posts and claim them as their own, some authors protect their writings by limiting the content through the RSS feeds. Though I understand their choice, the partial feeds annoy me because I have to click through to their web site to read the rest of the article. By clicking through, I am using up precious time.
If you subscribe to a web site that shows partial articles, consider commenting on a post or contacting the author to express your frustration. Sometimes the author is not aware of the setting. If they discover unhappy readers, then the author may consider changing to full feed. It never hurts to ask.
These are the questions I have either asked or answered regarding Google Reader. If you have additional questions, please leave me a comment. I will do my best to give you an answer.
In concluding this series on using an RSS feed reader, I hope you have found this information helpful, accurate, and worth your time. I value both my reader’s and my time. You have plenty to do, so keep using your time wisely! Happy organized reading!