NetNewsWire

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

NetNewsWire

NetNewsWire 3.0 under Mac OS X v10.4.
Developed by NewsGator Technologies
Latest release 3.1 / January 9, 2008
Preview release 3.1.1b1 / January 9, 2008
OS Mac OS X
Genre News aggregator
License Proprietary
Website newsgator.com/individuals/netnewswire

NetNewsWire is a freeware desktop news aggregator for Mac OS X, featuring a three-paned interface similar to Apple's Mail client. It was developed by Brent and Sheila Simmons for their company Ranchero Software. The application was originally shareware, but became free with the release of NetNewsWire 3.1 on January 10, 2008.

NetNewsWire was one of the first desktop RSS readers on any platform when it first appeared publicly on July 12, 2002. Version 1.0 was released on February 11, 2003, and version 2.0 was released in May 2005. NetNewsWire's features include the ability to create custom feed views, custom downloading and opening of podcasts, synchronization of feeds and feed status between computers, Bloglines support, and a built-in tabbed browser.

In October 2005, NewsGator bought Ranchero and NetNewsWire, bringing their NewsGator Online RSS synchronization service to OS X.[1]

NetNewsWire 3.0 was released on June 5, 2007.[2] The version added Spotlight indexing of news items, integration with iCal, iPhoto, Address Book, and VoodooPad, Growl support, a new user interface, performance enhancements, and more.

NetNewsWire Lite, a version of NetNewsWire without some advanced features of the (then commercial) version,[3] was available as an unrestricted free download up until the release of NetNewsWire 3.1.

[edit] Reception

NetNewsWire is well regarded by many users and reviewers. According to FeedBurner, NetNewsWire was the most popular desktop newsreader on all platforms in 2005.[4] The software received a Macworld Editor's Choice Award in 2003[5] and 2005[6] and maintains a 4.8 out of five stars rating among reviewers at VersionTracker.[7] Ars Technica calls NetNewsWire's built-in browser "hands-down the best of any Mac newsreader,"[8] and Walter Mossberg, technology columnist for The Wall Street Journal, says that NetNewsWire is his favorite for Mac OS X.[9]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Fleischman, Glenn (2005-10-10). NewsGator Acquires NetNewsWire. TidBITS. Adam C. Engst. Retrieved on 2007-05-30.
  2. ^ McNulty, Scott (2007-06-05). NetNewsWire 3.0 now available. TUAW. Retrieved on 2007-06-05.
  3. ^ NetNewsWire feature chart. NewsGator. Retrieved on 2007-05-30.
  4. ^ RSS Market Share. Burning Questions. FeedBurner (2005-01-10). Retrieved on 2007-05-30.
  5. ^ The 19th Annual Editors' Choice Awards. Macworld. Mac Publishing (2004-02-01). Retrieved on 2007-05-30.
  6. ^ Frakes, Dan (2005-12-20). NetNewsWire 2: Even with Safari 2.0 in the picture, RSS reader remains indispensable. Macworld. Mac Publishing. Retrieved on 2007-05-30.
  7. ^ NetNewsWire. VersionTracker. TechTracker (2007-05-30). Retrieved on 2007-05-30.
  8. ^ Warren, Brian (2005-09-22). Mac RSS Readers. Ars Technica. Retrieved on 2007-05-30.
  9. ^ Mossberg, Walt. "A Guide to Using RSS, Which Helps You Scan Vast Array of Sites", All Things Digital, Wall Street Journal, 2005-05-05. Retrieved on 2007-05-30. 

[edit] External links

 This Apple or Macintosh related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.