Feeder Editor's Review

Feeder is a complex RSS feed creator and manager.

The functionality of this application goes in multiple directions. It can either create new RSS feeds, new Podcasts, or it can import/download the feed files.

Creating the feeds is quite easily as the interface provides all the required functionality in order to create a valid feed. The interface also provides a validation button which can check the syntax of a feed.

The creation engine provides a set of templates that you can use for the output feed. The provided templates are: iTunes Podcasting, Minimal, News, Podcasting, and Sparkle Appcasting. Besides these, you can use your custom setup, or a default setup. If everything is done correctly, then the Feeder allows you to quickly publish the feed via the 'Publish' button.

The feed downloader/importer is another useful feature since it allows you to customize existing feeds without going through all the creation steps. Besides the standard options, it also provides the possibility to use extensions like Dublin Core or Sparkle.

Another interesting option is the possibility to ping certain Web services after you publish the feed. The provided list of services is decent. This list supports editing, so you can add a custom service if you provide the required parameters.

Since an imported/downloaded feed can be customized in the same way as a freshly created one, you can use the extensions support, or the ping support for both of these feed types. This thing makes the application's interface very consistent, thus you won't have problems in creating or customizing your feeds once you've learned how to use it at its full potential.

Pluses: its interface is very consistent; it has templates for the feed content; it can import or download feeds; it allows you to validate the output; it provides you the support for certain extensions; it can ping the Web services if you publish a feed; it integrates the support for feed publishing.

Drawbacks / flaws:

In conclusion: if you don't use a feed generator in your Web CMS (Content Management System), then this application is a great tool for feed creation, publishing and maintenance.

version reviewed: 1.4.7