Place to discuss keeping people informed about the giveaways through the Google Toolbar.
Keeping Informed--Google Toolbar
(5 posts) (2 voices)-
Posted 16 years ago #
-
Hello, everyone.
I was thinking today, and I decided to create a button for the Google Toolbar. I know that there are many of us that like to check this site and also have the Google Toolbar. This project should (and will be) heavily influenced by the suggestions from the community; please post any feedback, positive or negative, on this so that I can decide whether or not to pursue it or what changes should be made.
To add the button to your Google toolbar, click the link below:
http://toolbar.google.com/buttons/add?url=http://cyberguy91.googlepages.com/gotd_gt.xml
For those of you that are more advanced users and want to see how I did this or edit the file and submit it, save the following file:
http://cyberguy91.googlepages.com/gotd_gt.xmlPosted 16 years ago # -
...or you could just use just subscribe to the rss feed in your browser and use the existing "button".
In addition you can subscribe to individual forum topics and watch for updates (via RSS or email), or sign up for updates via email to either GOTD or GGOTD.
Or there is subscription support for Google Reader, Netvibes, MyYahoo, NewsGator Online, My AOL, and Bloglines
But of all of these - the easiest and most flexible is just use your browser to subscribe directly to whatever RSS feed you are interested in. They are currently on every topic, the main sites (both GOTD and GGOTD) and the giveaway comments section.
Firefox:
http://johnbokma.com/firefox/rss-and-live-bookmarks.html
http://kb.mozillazine.org/Live_Bookmarks_-_FirefoxIE7:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/IE/ie7/tour/rss/And now if you also have the google toolbar, you could click on that button also.
I'm sure (if anyone cares) there is a way to get updates on your cellphone also. ;)
Posted 16 years ago # -
correct me if i am wrong....
1. google toolbar is cross-platform.
2. what about people that are using internet explorer on a computer that is too old to upgrade to ie7 and want it integrated into their browser.
3. On the google toolbar button you can rest your pointer over a listing and read a short description about it without going to the site itself (which is useful for people using dial-up)
4. In case you didn't bother to try the button, you can use the button in conjunction with the search bar on the google toolbar and search GOTD and GGOTD sites, respectively.actually use it for a minute before passing it on as a useless idea.
Posted 16 years ago # -
I think you are getting a little defensive here - I was simply listing the alternatives - sure if you are already using the toolbar - then great.
If not - don't install the toolbar just for a button to see the updates to GOTD. There are at least a dozen other ways to get the same result with no additional software, or software you might already be running.
To answer your questions.
correct me if I am wrong.
1. google toolbar is cross-platform.
Yes. Google Toolbar is cross platform (as is RSS and email). In this case, cross platform support is "essential" to cater for all the users who visit to download giveaways on both Mac and Linux platforms.2. what about people that are using internet explorer on a computer that is too old to upgrade to ie7 and want it integrated into their browser.
If your pc is so old you cannot upgrade to ie7 - you probably don't need to be running another toolbar. Try the email subscription - you will appreciate being "reminded" rather than having to load a toolbar and check a button manually (especially if your memory is as limited as your computers).3. On the google toolbar button you can rest your pointer over a listing and read a short description about it without going to the site itself (which is useful for people using dial-up)
Same applies to basically every other RSS reader. It comes standard.4. In case you didn't bother to try the button, you can use the button in conjunction with the search bar on the google toolbar and search GOTD and GGOTD sites, respectively.
hmm so do links, favorites/bookmarks or shortcuts. but but but this one is a button.... that opens the web page... omg.I did have a look at it about 5 minutes after you originally posted and can't see the big deal - mainly because the functionality is so basic that is currently offered in many forms already - except this one needs a toolbar.
Sure - if you love the google toolbar and want a new button - go ahead use this.
However when you find out how useful RSS features are, and you decide to start watching also the comments and various topics in the forums - and then your choice of many other sites and blogs on the internet - you will need to be able to subscribe to much more than this single feed. It is then that you will discover that having a button (on a toolbar you really don't need) dedicated to just a single feed is a huge waste and look at using live bookmarks or aggregate newsfeed readers.
It's a great idea for existing users of Google Toolbar, if this is your first (and only) use of syndicated content - but for any user who discovers just how much easier monitoring 15 or 20 or more websites becomes via RSS - learning to use your browser or rss readers is obviously the best choice.
Some free RSS readers:
Great News
http://www.curiostudio.com/Feedreader3
http://www.feedreader.comSnarfer
http://www.snarfware.com/Klipfolio
http://www.klipfolio.comThere are obviously many more - each of these will allow you to do the same as the single button - except x 10,000. You get to choose which sites, which feeds - and they are all in one place.
I'm not "passing it on as a useless idea". The idea & concept is fine - which is why the site is RSS enabled. However I personally see the choice of implementation (a single button on Google toolbar) as limited and inflexible.
If people really want to explore the options and discover the additional power RSS feeds open up to them - they really should begin using a platform and techniques that permit them to grow as their needs expand.
What do you do when you want a 2nd or 3rd or 10th feed? How many buttons until you wonder... "there has got to be a better way to do this?"
Then again I could be completely wrong - some people hate learning about new software, tools or techniques. They resent hearing about alternatives - and dislike being able to make choices. They would rather be given one tool or technique (or button) - and be told "this is all you get - if you want to extend or go beyond this, you are out of luck". They call it "convenience".
@cyberguy91 - This project should (and will be) heavily influenced by the suggestions from the community; please post any feedback, positive or negative
If you don't want feedback... just say so.
Posted 16 years ago #
Reply
You must log in to post.