Feeds4All Review
by Paul Flyer
Yes, another blog directory. However, judging by my own server logs, this directory is actively used.
Feeds4All offers all the basics a directory should. Blogs and feeds are categorized. Users may search by category or by searching for keywords. A keyword search finds relevant articles within the feeds, not feeds that are about that topic.
The search results return a brief description of the article with several links. There is a link to the original source, a link to that sources RSS feed, and a link to the Feeds4all’s Feed Information Page. The Feed Information Page displays details about the feed: title, last date updated (very handy), etc. The page also includes the last twenty posts from the feed. This is very helpful. It helps users determine whether a feed should be subscribed too or whether just an interesting article should be bookmarked. This saves users from having to go out and visit the site itself.
Feeds4all allows users to create a feed based on search criteria. This feed is generated in RSS and in Javascript. Feeds4all allows users to post these feeds on their own website. I would add that the Terms of Service offered by Feeds4All is weak. Republishing feeds on websites is an area where very little has been written. Republish Feeds4All feeds according to their disclaimer, but note that the terms may change.
Feeds4all is based in the Netherlands and does seem to cater more to the European crowd judging by the feeds that get submitted. However, I am seeing a fair amount of traffic from them and would definitely put Feeds4all on the “must submit my feed to” list.
Why all these reviews of RSS sites? I plan to develop an article about the top 25 RSS resources for beginners. It is taking some time, because there are a lot of sites out there. I only write a written review of those worth mentioning. I have had to weed through a lot of chaff. I will post when I have found and completed my top 25 round up.
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