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How do I migrate from NewsGator Online to Google Reader?

I've been using NewsGator Online to read my RSS feeds for years, but with the beta of their new "Ajax" interface, I think it's time to move to something else: Google Reader. Can you step me through exporting my RSS subscription list (in OPML, I guess) and importing it into Google Reader?


Dave's Answer:

I have been meaning to try Google Reader for a while too, so I've taken your question as an excuse to migrate onto GR too. Thanks!

The first step in migrating is to log in to your NewsGator Online account and click on "My Settings" in the top navbar:

NewsGator Online: My Settings

Now click on "Edit Locations":

NewsGator Online: Edit Locations

We're getting there. Near the top is "NewsGator Web Edition Location", and adjacent to that is a link labeled OPML. Click on it:

NewsGator Online: Web Edition: OPML Export

If you already have your OPML open, you'll see something like this:

NewsGator Online: Web Edition: OPML Settings

If not, select "Expose OPML to all users", click on "Save Changes", then click on "OPML" again so that you are at this screen and it's showing you a clickable URL.

That's all the hard work. Just right-click (or, if you're on a Mac, option-click) on the actual OPML link and choose "Save As...", "Download Linked File As..." or the equivalent in your particular Web browser:

NewsGator Online: Web Edition: OPML Settings

Now a geeky little step: if you want, you should probably rename the downloaded file "newsgator.opml" or similar, so that it'll import properly. Google Reader can handle a ".xml" file, but other readers might complain. Just fyI. ;-)

We're done with NewsGator Online at this point, so you can fire up Google Reader and click on "Settings" on the top right. That'll bring you here:

Google Reader: Settings

Click on "Import/Export":

Google Reader: Settings: Import/Export

You can probably guess the last few steps, but I'll detail them just for completeness. Click on "Choose File", select the newly downloaded .xml file, and click "Upload":

Google Reader: Import OPML/XML File

You'll see a funky green "Your subscriptions are being imported" banner for a few seconds, then a few seconds later you'll be shown your newly imported list of subscriptions, like this:

Google Reader: Subscriptions

Click on "Back to Google Reader" and you'll be able to see all your subscriptions. My recommendation: Immediately click "Show: Updated" and you'll find that your imported OPML file mostly even noted what you've last read, so your new view isn't too out of control.

Hurray! Done. Hope that helps you out.



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Comments

My Google Reader is acting funny, (Kinja is my backup) so I took a look again at Bloglines and NewsGator (at the same time, trying to remember why I don't use them) and see if things have changed for the better- eww, they aren't very intuitive and pain to navigate. So, I'll stick to Reader and Kinja.

Posted by: D at May 20, 2007 4:26 AM

I have a lot to say, but ...
Starbucks coffee cup I have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but most of all I'd like to say thank you for all your efforts on this Web site by buying you a chai!

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!









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