Freeloader Friday Download of the Week

Stay in Sync: Feeds, Contacts and More

Web-based applications can be convenient but they aren't the solution for everything. A couple of this week's picks are desktop applications that sync back to a central server - adding one of the biggest benefits of a web-based solution to a desktop app. I've also got another handy application that syncs contacts in Adium and Address Book.

BlogBridge

This Java based reader has been around for ages. It is fast and slick and handles different feed types well. But that's not its killer feature.

For me, the killer feature was the sync service. By signing up for an account, BlogBridge will sync your feeds (which are read and unread) which you can load on another computer (including a PC). This cross-platform sync of a desktop feed reader is pretty unique. It works well, too.

That's not all, though. BlogBridge has some other interesting features. It handles enclosures well and, if your feed contains images, will let you view your posts by image. Handy for photocasts.

Xcast

Xcast is a stunningly slick feed reader and podcast manager. While it does not sync your feeds to any kind of online account, Xcast offers powerful syncing options for syncing podcasts with iTunes. Xcast can manage your iTunes podcasts, add additional information to them and add new podcasts into iTunes.

Xcast is a must if you use iTunes to manage your podcasts. It requires Tiger.

ZuluPad

This application is like a wiki without the browser. This application lets you create and edit wiki-like documents and sync them with their online service.

Its free, and has a lot of potential for collaboration. The interface could use some work, but its a great way to enjoy the benefits of a wiki without the bother of a browser.

Adium Book

Use Adium? Then you'll want to download Adium Book. This application compares your Adium contacts to your Apple Address Book.

Reports will uncover potential Address Book contacts to be added to Adium and the application makes it easy to create a new Address Book card for your Adium contacts.

Before we sell out our desktops for Web 2.0 browser-based solutions, its worth taking a look at some of these hybrid applciations. Maybe the best desktop will be a combination of web services and desktop applications.

Brian

  


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