IM Feeds: An Instant Messaging RSS reader

If you’re sick of getting updates by manually refreshing websites, then you should give IM Feed a chance. It is actually a bot that interacts with specific commands adequately (atleast there is a bot which is used positively). The robot supports all the prominent Instant Messaging networks which include AIM, Google Talk, MSN and Yahoo. Another good thing is that there aren’t any pre-requisites for this service.

It is actually a RSS feed which is based on IM which means that the service allows you to receive RSS updates through IM (cool, isn’t it?). The service is somewhat like Anothr. The feeds can be managed either by sending an IM to the bot or by sending a message using the site. The merit of using such a site is that it allows you to get the latest update in a real time instead of refreshing the page manually which takes time and utilise resources.

Bloggers can also create badges which will allow their readers to get the latest update through Instant Message. To create a button, you just have to select the size of the button and give the Feed URL (so there is something for everyone). Also you can request the site if you want your IM service to be added to the list.

To avail the services, you have to go through a simple process of registration which is absolutely free. Before getting registered, you will have to add the IM Feed buddy (or that robot) and send it a command of ‘join’, which will return a URL asking you to verify the account and set a password.

Once the account is created, you can add RSS feeds by either Instant Messaging or by simply importing the OPML file using IM Feed website. To subscribe a feed, you will have to write the sub command along with the RSS feed URL. e.g. ‘sub http://feeds.feedburner.com/StartupMeme’.

Although the site is functioning fine, there are a few things they might need to reconsider. The IM Feed buddy ids should be visible on the homepage of the user, this will improve the usability. Right now this option is visible only at the start of the registration process. Also when you write the command sub, you have to provide the complete RSS feed URL which may seem a frustrating process to some. What they can do is that they can accept the website URL along with the ‘sub’ command and it will automatically fetch the RSS URL from the site. e.g. users should be able to execute the command ‘sub www.startupmeme.com’ instead of ‘sub http://feeds.feedburner.com/StartupMeme’. This will make life easier for users. The footer on user homepage before adding any feed is appearing at the middle of the page, so it needs a little attention. Overall the service is good and I hope they will get better with the passage of time.

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