OPML import and export is an integral part of any RSS reader software. It allows users to switch between readers in a breeze and don't feel locked in at any moment.
What happens when you import an OPML file inside your reader? You get a snapshot of the feeds in this file and that's it. But there's more to OPML than just one-time transferring of feeds. It can actually be used to link subscriptions between different services! That's why today we are launching our new feature called
OPML subscriptions.
The idea is not new, credits goes to
Dave Winer, who implemented this 12 years ago in a product called
Radio Userland and later in subsequent products
river2 and
river3.
Basically you subscribe to an OPML URL just like you subscribe to regular RSS feeds. You have to assign a specific folder for the new subscriptions and choose the synchronisation type. It can be "Subscribe only", which means that only new feeds will be added and removed feeds will not be touched, and "Full synchronisation", which will automatically unsubscribe any feeds no longer available in the remote OPML.
The OPML file will be periodically checked for updates and changes will be reflected in your account. When there are new (or removed if you choose Full synchronisation) feeds, you will see a hint in your notifications about this:
OPML subscriptions are available for all users. The only difference for Basic accounts is that files will be checked for updates once every 24 hours, while for Plus and Professional users, files will be checked every hour. There is of course an option for manual update.
You can find the new feature by going to
Preferences ->
OPML subscriptions.Credits goes to our Power User
Marjolein Hoekstra for her extensive testing and great ideas about this feature. She has prepared a write-up of her own, which you can find at
RSS Reader InoReader to Support Dynamic OPML SubscriptionsAs always this update contains a number of other changes too:
- New dashboard gadget called New articles. With it, you can list recent articles from a chosen feed, folder, or all of your subscriptions. With the possibility to add many such gadgets, you can put your favorite feeds at the top of your dashboard.
- Dashboard gadgets can now be collapsed.
- Dashboard gadgets can now be deleted when dragging them to the top of the screen (a red area with a bin icon will appear). The X button is removed to help unclutter the screen.
- Notifications also have sound now.
Super Opinionated.
