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Kill the newsletter: Convert newsletters into RSS feeds

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Re: Kill the newsletter: Convert newsletters into RSS feeds

#71

I think we are moving towards a descentralized Internet. The RSS feed needs a central server, the newsletter can be broadcasted and then forwarded peer to peer. I'd argue the opposite then: save the newsletter, just maybe evolve it into something better (maybe with schema email??)

An RSS feed is just a periodically updated XML file with an URL. If your decentralized internet can't present a file at an address (the use case for ever single web page ever), it's not actually going to be the internet.

Re: Kill the newsletter: Convert newsletters into RSS feeds

#72

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A simple approach is to filter them in your email client into a folder/tag and out of the inbox. That's what I do for mailing lists (which aren't well suited for RSS, since they're threaded).

That's what I do today but what often happens is I just never check them. Also some newsletters contain events or occasional time sensitive bits so partial filter has proved a challenge there. Curious to hear if you've experienced either of these.

I used to also filter them out to a folder with no unread tag until I realized that I missed quite a few free ebooks that O'Reilly was offering. Since then I still have them in a folder but I go mark it read once a day to make sure I don't miss stuff like time-sensitive offers.

Re: Kill the newsletter: Convert newsletters into RSS feeds

#73

I personally prefer RSS over mailed newsletters. And was expecting that newsletters will eventually die. I was wrong. Not sure why they didn't died and actually grow more popular, but IMHO RSS is probably too complicated for regular Joe, so they probably not even know RSS exists. I'm only subscribed to newsletter when RSS is not an option, like js weekly, android weekly... But wish I can read those in digg/reader too…

Editor of JavaScript Weekly here - we do have RSS :) It's linked on the top of our site. We just don't put a lot of effort into it because e-mail is our top priority, but it's been there for a few years now. (Ditto for all our titles like Ruby Weekly, DB Weekly, WebOps Weekly, etc.)

Re: Kill the newsletter: Convert newsletters into RSS feeds

#74

I would love to kill the newsletter. I love RSS. I perceive most newsletters as spam. Except: - non tech saavy users don't know what RSS is and often won't use a RSS reader even after tutoring. - newsletter still makes a LOT of cash. I didn't believe it, but working in the adult industry teached me that many things I would never do (read a news letter, click a ridiculous add, engage with an obviously fake profile) is…

I perceive most newsletters as spam.

You primarily receive newsletters you didn't actually sign up for? (stores you bought stuff off, etc.) That's the only way it's spam. But there are plenty of people who actively sign up for and appreciate them.

Re: Kill the newsletter: Convert newsletters into RSS feeds

#75

I would love to kill the newsletter. I love RSS. I perceive most newsletters as spam. Except: - non tech saavy users don't know what RSS is and often won't use a RSS reader even after tutoring. - newsletter still makes a LOT of cash. I didn't believe it, but working in the adult industry teached me that many things I would never do (read a news letter, click a ridiculous add, engage with an obviously fake profile) is…

I perceive most newsletters as spam. You primarily receive newsletters you didn't actually sign up for? (stores you bought stuff off, etc.) That's the only way it's spam. But there are plenty of people who actively sign up for and appreciate them.

When every website uses black-design to "helpfully" sign you up for their newsletter without you noticing, it gets harder and harder to differentiate actual newsletters that I signed up for, vs plain old spam. When in doubt, mark-as-spam it is.

Re: Kill the newsletter: Convert newsletters into RSS feeds

#76

I personally prefer RSS over mailed newsletters. And was expecting that newsletters will eventually die. I was wrong. Not sure why they didn't died and actually grow more popular, but IMHO RSS is probably too complicated for regular Joe, so they probably not even know RSS exists. I'm only subscribed to newsletter when RSS is not an option, like js weekly, android weekly... But wish I can read those in digg/reader too…

Editor of JavaScript Weekly here - we do have RSS :) It's linked on the top of our site. We just don't put a lot of effort into it because e-mail is our top priority, but it's been there for a few years now. (Ditto for all our titles like Ruby Weekly, DB Weekly, WebOps Weekly, etc.)

[deleted]

Re: Kill the newsletter: Convert newsletters into RSS feeds

#78

I think we are moving towards a descentralized Internet. The RSS feed needs a central server, the newsletter can be broadcasted and then forwarded peer to peer. I'd argue the opposite then: save the newsletter, just maybe evolve it into something better (maybe with schema email??)

lol, rss does not depend on a centralized server. it's a shame you think it does.

Read the spec.

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