Hacker News Reader

Comment by aphextron | Hacker News Reader

I’m sure it’s wonderful, but I’m not giving my email address to an RSS reader. Thats kind of the whole point.

> Thats kind of the whole point.

What? How is that 'the whole point' of an RSS reader?

In the spirit of not being tracked by someone like Facebook, he means that he doesn't want to be identified by an email and therefore have a possible profile built on him based on what he subscribes, reads, saves, etc.

That's definitely fair, but like the OP is saying, how is that the entire point of using RSS? RSS itself stands for Really Simple Syndication, there's nothing saying that clients can't provide extra convenience and features behind a login/profile. I don't think people use RSS feeds to have more privacy.

I completely agree, which is why I will never use any kind of RSS reader "service".

Instead I use Newsbeuter[1], a great standalone RSS client. It runs completely on my own machine. I don't have to give out my email address to anyone else nor do I have to tell the owners of any service what I read or what my interests are. That's completely my own business.

[1] - https://www.newsbeuter.org/

>> I’m not giving my email address to an RSS reader. Thats kind of the whole point.

> What? How is that 'the whole point' of an RSS reader?

To be able to subscribe to information sources without having to give away any personal data, start getting spammed, etc. Seems especially relevant in light of all the recent (if belated) privacy concerns surrounding social media.

Registration is to help you save your feed preferences. Web version is open for all - https://telescope.surf

This is really fantastic actually. I wish OP had just shared the web version.

How difficult is it to get another email address?

You've missed the point: users should get privacy by default and make choices to preserve their privacy, not have to dodge service requests (like getting another email address) to keep their privacy. The point isn't technical, it's ethical.

Services you should handle yourself on your own computer (like RSS feed reading) can be done for you but when they're done for you they become "Service as a Software Substitute" or "SaaSS" (see https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/who-does-that-server-really-s... for more on that).

A SaaSS RSS feed reader grants others power over what you're allowed to read, when you're allowed to read it, and that choice also empowers others to track you in your reading. If you don't value your privacy you'll lose it and then you'll likely come to regret losing it after it's too late and you've given trackers enough information to predict your habits.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com