Hacker News Reader

What Google Reader also had was a good API, which let you sync what you read. I used Google Reader more through the API than in the web interface.

With TinyTinyRSS and a plugin, I have similar functionality, but it still isn't quite as good as what Google had. That said, TinyTinyRSS has a better web interface than Google ever did.

My experience with TTRSS's web interface isn't super positive (though I'm not using the latest version, in fairness), so that says something about Reader's interface.

What fast, free, information-dense, no-bullshit alternative was there to Reader?

I totally agree with your tweet there! It's waaaay too hard to figure out for most people.

"There were always better alternatives"

I always thought Reader was the best, I'm happy with NewsBlur, but Reader was great.

What's not friendly about Feedly, for instance? You don't have to know shit about RSS to use it.