Google Reader Friends' shared items Dec16 '07
A new feature for Google Reader is the ability to view friends' shared items from within the Reader interface, which makes Reader look more like a social network.
What's odd about this feature is it's inherent limitations. It seems you can only view shared items from your collection of GTalk/Gmail contacts, which makes Reader unlike a social network.
I haven't yet decided how useful this feature is, considering it's limitations. More importantly, I can already subscribe to anyone's shared items RSS feed within Reader. This approach is much more passive and anonymous, as I don't need to have actually contacted the person via Gmail or GTalk, to have them be considered a "friend." (Google Reader's definition of a friend, that is.)
I really think the Reader team missed an opportunity here. I've already mentioned the potential of the "shared items" feature, specifically the absence of a "most shared" section, highlighting the aggregate totals amongst all shared items, effectively creating a Digg-like application.
Why is this not being done? I don't care so much for what a handful of my close friends are sharing (most times I already know what my friends are reading, since we're friends - we talk about these things!) - I care what the world is sharing.
Categories: Features 
, Google , RSS , Sharing , Social Networking
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is published and produced by Matt Thommes - an independent publishing enthusiast, mobile blogger, content creator, informative writer, web developer from Chicago.
Never one to conform, Matt intends to promote the effect the web has on our lives, in an effort to intensify, instruct, and clarify all that is happening around us.
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