The Spartanburg Herald-Journal, better known as GoUpstate.com, has joined the parade of clueful newspapers offering their readers RSS news aggregators. Andy Rhinehart and the GoUpstatians are offering a free, downloadable Windows client called the GoReader for “the latest news, weather, auctions, and more delivered to your desktop.” Notice that the word “RSS” doesn’t appear anywhere in there, which is how it should be. Check out their home page for the banner ad at the very top of the page.

“What can GoReader do for me?

First and foremost, GoReader can allow you, in just one program, to keep track of the latest news at a number of Web sites. Let’s say you have 25 Web sites that you visit every day. If all of those Web sites offer news feeds, you can monitor all 25 sites from GoReader. Just keep it running on your computer, and the latest information will be downloaded to you every time a site makes an update. Then, you can pick and choose what you want to read, when you want to read it. Think of GoReader as your virtual newspaper carrier, delivering to your computer the material that you want to read.”

I’m not totally convinced that a desktop client is the way to go but it’s a huge step for a newspaper, and it means they really do understand about RSS (thanks to Andy). While I’m inclined to think that the recent announcements of web-based newspaper aggregators are more the future and I’m intrigued that the Denver Post is collaborating with NewsGator, check out this additional feature of GoUpstate’s aggregator:

“GoReader can also be used to subscribe to news feeds that contain audio material. These feeds are typically known as podcasts in that the material can be downloaded to a portable digital audio device such as an iPod. More on this in a moment.”

Very interesting addition, and it will be interesting to see if the local community starts doing more with podcasting.

Unfortunately, I don’t see any RSS feeds available from the Spartanburg County Public Libraries, a situation they now need to rectify as quickly as possible. Then hopefully Andy can add it as a default feed in GoReader. This also helps highlight how you can prepopulate aggregators to help your audience learn to use them. In GoReader, you automatically get AP South Caroline headlines plus GoUpstate’s breaking news, business news, news headlines, sports headlines, employment listings, and other “stuff for sale.” There’s even an embedded search engine for finding feeds via Syndic8 and a separate search engine for searching your subscriptions. Big branding in the aggregator, too, something I’d really wanted to see from libraries. Oh, and you can import and export your subscriptions, too - nice.

Still think your library doesn’t need an RSS feed? You’ve already got a “what’s new” section on your web site, right? The best thing you can do right now is turn it into a blog, which will make it easier to post information and will automatically give you an RSS feed.

Well done, Andy and GoUpstate!

Indulge me for a moment while I play catch-up and note that I, too, have added the “Blog Person” button to the right-hand column on my web site, right above the “RSS bigot” one. I note this mainly because some folks have wondered where it should link to, and I’ve chosen to point to a Technorati search for “michael gorman bloggers.”

Lots of people sent me links to the controversy while I was out sick (thanks!), and others have asked for my opinion on the whole thing. I think you know where I stand, and I don’t really have anything to add that is more complex or eloquent than what has already been written. I don’t think Gorman should resign, but I do worry that he has alienated a large contingent of people who could have helped both him and ALA in general. My biggest fear, though, is that he doesn’t even realize this (kind of like another president we all know), which doesn’t bode well for the coming year.

However, I’m not writing this to re-hash the debate. Instead, I think it’s time to move past GormanGate and look to the future, let bygones be bygones, and maybe even make a little money. You see, I think we’ll probably see many more Gorman editorials as he becomes the official President of ALA. Therefore, I think we should kill two birds with one stone and start a pool to guess what his next topic will be. This will allow us to prepare for the worst, while also providing financial gain for the correct prognosticators.

Of course, this won’t be easy, as there are so many different possibilities. I’m having a difficult time choosing just one:

• No serious conversation has ever occurred over instant messaging. Academic thoughts written as text should be read sequentially, providing a reflection period for each and every sentence in order to understand its full significance.
• No serious music has ever been listened to as an MP3. I doubt that these digital music downloaders have ever listened to an entire album in order, let alone a symphony. Don’t even get me started on MP3 audiobooks, girlfriend!
• No serious information has ever been transmitted over a cell phone conversation. To be properly savored, like fine wine, conversation must take place sequentially and in person. Otherwise, meaning and context will be completely lost to the listener, thereby reducing the effectiveness of the information being conveyed. Even the act of ordering a pizza requires close human interaction in order to demonstrate the urgency and complex nuances necessary to obtaining the best possible convergence of toppings and crust.

Add your best guess and place your bets!