Getting started overview
Getting started with The Old Reader involves creating a user account and then populating that account with RSS feeds for content aggregation. Unlike platforms that offer a programmatic interface, The Old Reader is designed for direct user interaction through its web application. The core process focuses on feed discovery, subscription, and content consumption within the platform's user interface. There is no public API available for programmatic interaction, meaning all initial setup and ongoing management occurs directly via the The Old Reader website.
New users can opt for a free tier which includes specific limitations on the number of subscriptions, articles per feed, and retention duration. Paid tiers offer increased capacities and additional features. The primary objective for new users is to sign up, add their first feeds, and understand the basic navigation for reading and organizing content. This guide outlines the steps from account creation to consuming your first articles.
Here's a quick reference table for the initial setup steps:
| Step | What to Do | Where |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Create Account | Register with an email and password. | The Old Reader homepage |
| 2. Add Feeds | Input RSS feed URLs or search for popular sites. | 'Add a subscription' button within the reader interface |
| 3. Organize Feeds | Create folders to categorize subscriptions. | Sidebar menu under 'Subscriptions' |
| 4. Read Articles | Click on feed titles or article headlines. | Main content area of the reader |
Create an account and get keys
The Old Reader does not utilize API keys or tokens for user interaction, as it does not expose a public API. Access is managed through traditional username and password authentication directly on its web platform. To begin, navigate to The Old Reader's official website.
- Sign Up: Look for a 'Sign Up' or 'Register' link, typically found in the top right corner of the homepage.
- Provide Credentials: You will be prompted to enter your email address and create a password. Ensure your password meets security best practices, such as using a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. While not explicitly stated by The Old Reader, general recommendations for password best practices suggest using unique and strong credentials.
- Account Activation: After submitting your details, you may receive an email to verify your address. Follow the instructions in this email to activate your account. This step is crucial for confirming ownership of the email address and securing access.
Once your account is activated, you can log in using your newly created credentials. Your login acts as your key to accessing the service, allowing you to manage subscriptions and read content. There are no additional API keys or developer credentials to generate or manage for standard use.
Your first request
Since The Old Reader operates as a web application without a public API, your "first request" is not an API call but rather the action of adding your first RSS feed within the user interface. This action initiates the content aggregation process for your account. After logging in:
- Locate the "Add a subscription" option: In the main interface of The Old Reader, typically in the left sidebar or at the top of the content area, you will find a button or input field labeled "Add a subscription" or similar.
- Enter an RSS Feed URL: You will need the URL of an RSS feed you wish to follow. For example, a common news feed might be
https://www.example.com/rss.xml. Many websites provide an RSS icon (often an orange square with white waves) or a link to their feed. If you don't have a specific feed in mind, you can often search for a website name, and The Old Reader will attempt to find its feed. - Submit the URL: Paste the RSS feed URL into the provided input field and click "Add" or hit Enter.
Upon successful submission, The Old Reader will attempt to fetch articles from that feed. You should see the newly added feed appear in your list of subscriptions, and any recent articles from that feed will populate your reading pane. This process demonstrates the primary way users interact with the service to aggregate content.
For example, to add the Mozilla Developer Network Blog RSS feed, you would copy the URL https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/blog/rss and paste it into the "Add a subscription" field.
Common next steps
After successfully adding your first feed and understanding the basic mechanics, several common next steps can enhance your experience with The Old Reader:
- Add More Subscriptions: Continue to add all the blogs, news sites, and other sources you wish to follow. The more feeds you add, the more comprehensive your content stream becomes. Remember the free tier limitations if applicable.
- Organize Feeds into Folders: As your list of subscriptions grows, organizing them into logical folders (e.g., "Tech News," "Personal Blogs," "Sports") can significantly improve navigation and content management. The Old Reader provides options to create and manage these folders directly from the sidebar.
- Explore Social Features: The Old Reader includes social sharing capabilities. You can "like" articles, share them with your followers within The Old Reader community, or connect to external social networks to share content. This feature is a core differentiator for the platform, allowing users to discover content through their network.
- Mark Articles as Read/Unread: Efficiently manage your reading queue by marking articles as read once consumed, or marking them as unread if you wish to revisit them later. The platform automatically tracks read status, but manual control is available.
- Adjust Reading Preferences: Explore settings related to how articles are displayed, such as font size, theme, and default views (e.g., expanded view versus list view). These personalization options can make your reading experience more comfortable.
- Upgrade Account (Optional): If you find the free tier limitations restrictive (e.g., needing more than 100 subscriptions or longer article retention), consider upgrading to a paid "Friend" or "Follower" tier. Paid plans offer increased capacities and additional features.
- Import/Export Feeds: If you're migrating from another RSS reader, The Old Reader typically supports importing OPML files, a standard format for sharing RSS subscriptions. Conversely, you can export your subscriptions for backup or migration purposes. Look for these options in your account settings.
Troubleshooting the first call
Since The Old Reader does not involve API calls, "troubleshooting the first call" translates to resolving issues encountered when adding your initial RSS feed. Here are common problems and their solutions:
- "Invalid Feed URL" or "Feed Not Found":
- Check for Typos: Re-verify the URL you entered for any spelling errors, extra spaces, or incorrect characters.
- Verify Feed Existence: Open the feed URL directly in your web browser. If it displays raw XML code, the feed is likely valid. If you get a "404 Not Found" error or a regular webpage, the URL might be incorrect or the feed no longer exists.
- Ensure it's an RSS/Atom Feed: The Old Reader specifically aggregates RSS and Atom feeds. Some websites might offer other types of syndication that are incompatible.
- Try a Feed Discovery Tool: If you only have a website URL, use an online RSS feed discovery tool (e.g., CtrlQ RSS Feed Finder) to locate the correct feed URL for that site.
- Feed Adds but No Articles Appear:
- New Feed: If the feed is very new or has infrequent updates, it might simply not have any recent articles yet.
- Fetch Delay: There might be a slight delay (a few minutes) for The Old Reader to initially fetch content from a newly added feed. Wait a short period and refresh.
- Feed Errors: Although less common, the feed itself might be malformed or contain errors that prevent The Old Reader from parsing it correctly. Contact the feed's publisher if you suspect this.
- Login Issues:
- Incorrect Credentials: Double-check your username (email) and password.
- Account Not Activated: Ensure you have clicked the verification link in the email sent during registration. Check your spam folder if you haven't received it.
- Browser Cache/Cookies: Clear your browser's cache and cookies, or try logging in using an incognito/private browsing window, to rule out local browser issues.
- Password Reset: Use the "Forgot Password" option on the login page if you cannot recall your password.
- Performance Slowdowns:
- Internet Connection: Ensure your internet connection is stable.
- Browser Performance: Close unnecessary browser tabs or extensions that might be consuming resources.
- Server Load: Occasionally, The Old Reader's servers might be experiencing high load. This is usually temporary.
For persistent issues, especially those not related to feed URLs, consulting The Old Reader's FAQ page or contacting their support through the website is recommended.