PocketFeed v.Next
on 08.08.04, 05:03pm in Uncategorized • comments (5)
While I’ve been relatively quite with regards to PocketFeed (more here, workspace and source here) and the next version, it really hasn’t been too far out of my mind. I’ve been struggling lately with some ideas, and was curious if anyone has any feedback/comments:
- Compact Framework or not? I would really like to move the codebase over to CF.NET, so it’s going to take a pretty convincing argument to keep it in C++.
- Latest RSS support. Support for RSS 2.0, ATOM, etc. needs to be added.
- Inbox vs. Standalone. Over the weekend, I had an idea: why not make PocketFeed a plugin into the standard PocketPC/Smartphone Inbox. While you’ll get great integration (and sync ability), you’ll lose the robustness of a standalone application.
- Storage. Do I go database or keep it in XML?
- Synchronization and Remote Storage. I’d like to be able to easy sync with a desktop reader, as well as provide the same type of remote storage sync that RSS Bandit does today.
- Feed Categories. This is a must have, IMHO.
- Better searching. Again, another must have.
- Great offline experience. Need to put in some work here.
- Extendibility. I’d like to provide some API’s to get to the feed lists, feed items, etc., in order to provide a more seamless integration to other apps on the device.
- Simple (but powerful) User Interface. I would really like to spend some time on getting the user experience solidified to something that requires no more than 2 ‘taps’ to perform the most important operations, yet provide functionality that power users will use.
Anything else? Anyone have any ‘must have’ features?
Jasmeet (August 9, 2004 @ 5:55 am)
Compact Framework or not?
-Sure, why not. Every other app seems to be going that path
Latest RSS support
-Definitely
Inbox vs. Standalone
-It would be cool, I suppose to have it intergrate with an app, but maybe Inbox isn’t it. Maybe it is. I was thinking more along the lines of pocket IE, but Inbox could work. An unread count in the today screen showing new feeds would be awesome
Storage
-Whatever keeps it from bloating up. If the app stays speedier with one format over the other, definitely go with what’s best for now.
Synchronization and Remote Storage
-This would be nice, possible a feature that can wait.
Feed Categories
-Yeah, would be nice to refresh just one category instead of all of them.
Better searching
-Yeah, this would be cool to have.
Great offline experience
-This would be effing brilliant. The app downloads all the images in the posts and such? Sweet!
Extendibility
-Probably something that happens later… though you could start coding it in…
Simple (but powerful) User Interface
-Are we thinking iPod here? =D But yes, definitely. Even better if the hardware buttons can be used to navigate the app as much as possible.
And lets get rid of the yellowish background? White is the only thing that works right now…
And I would love a today screen plugin. Nothing too processor intensive. Just something that says how many unread feeds, with some extra options.
Steve (August 9, 2004 @ 1:26 pm)
Sounds good. Thanks for the feedback. Do you think a today screen plugin is useful? There’s not alot of room on the today screen, but perhaps some basic information as you suggested would be enough.
Jason SIlver (August 9, 2004 @ 2:44 pm)
I use it offline (or did until I got tired of not having all of the content available). I’d prefer the option of saving the whole day’s blog.
Using a database format or compressing the XML would save memory…
~Jason
Paul Menard (August 17, 2004 @ 2:51 am)
First PocketFeed rocks!. I run a Dell Axim X3i with integrate wireless. I have found that when traveling I can update in the morning before the flight and have plenty of current reading material. No more lugging books or mags on the flight. Also still looking for the actual source code to this.
Couple of things I would really like to see. Not sure if you would calls these ‘must haves’.
1. A way to group together feeds. On my PDA I probably have close to 150 sites. Some are for design or development others are sports related. Being able to group like sites
means I would be able to read through those site from a given group and note have to page through the entire list and remembering this site is from ESPN and this one is MSDN. Sometimes I feel like wading through technical rants. Sometimes who made the play.
2. Considering the above, provide a way to update only certain groups or at least certain sites. In other words on the current version you can only update all. Or maybe you could enable some site flag that control an Active or non-Active site. If the site is not Active it does not get updated automatically.
3. Speaking of update. Is there a way to automate the updating? Not even sure if this is possible but how about some way to say update X site every Monday Friday.
4. Also add a timeout length option. For some sites take a long time when connecting over my PDA. Ends up with an ERROR status on the update attempt. Would be nice to extend this for those slower sites.
5. Also how about a way to flag items as ‘read’.
6. Then once an update has finished how about some indicator for those sites with updates. Having something visual to indicate this feed has (2) new entries or (2) unread entries help.
7. How about adding the date to the display? If I don’t update my PDS for a while I get old information. Maybe even consider adding a display filter. Something that allows me to say ‘Only show updates since X date’.
I’m sure I can help with more. As for the other options you mentioned the only issue I have is the storage. Need a way to purge old articles. But not pick those up on new syncs to RSS site.
Paul
Josh Pollard (August 17, 2004 @ 6:10 pm)
First I want to say that PocketFeed is great. I love having an aggregator on my PocketPC.
Compact Framework or not?
Definitely CF!
Latest RSS support.
Definitely!
Storage.
Whatever is quick and small. Storage space is extremely important.
Synchronization and Remote Storage. I’d like to be able to easy sync with a desktop reader, as well as provide the same type of remote storage sync that RSS Bandit does today.
Feed Categories.
For sure!
Better searching.
I don’t really care
Great offline experience.
I basically only read the feeds offline, so this is a good one.
The main thing that I REALLY REALLY want, is the ability to select certain items from SharpReader, and sync those down on to PocketFeed.
Keep up the great work!