What Default RSS Feeds will IE7 and Longhorn Carry?

What default RSS feeds will Internet Explorer 7.0 and/or Longhorn ship with? This is a one big outstanding question coming out of Gnomedex that right now does not have a clean and simple answer. I wrote Gary Schare, director of strategic product management in the Windows division of Microsoft, and here's how he responded in an email...

"Regarding default feeds in Longhorn and IE7/XP, it's just too early to know what we're going to do there. IE7/XP beta 1 will ship with a few feeds, but they're all from Microsoft and it really is just a proof-of-concept. We're not expecting the first beta to be run by mainstream users so none of the feeds at beta 1 are mainstream consumer content.

We certainly understand the opportunity presented by default feeds and are working through the business and technical issues before we're ready to announce what the actual feeds will be in the final product."

Schare went on to add that getting input via a blog dialogue is valuable to them. Now that's what I call PR in the blog age at work!

One clear consideration here is bandwidth. It doesn't matter if you're a big publisher or a small one, the bandwidth drain will be huge if your feed ships on 95% of the desktops in the world. On the other hand, if Microsoft only offers MSN feeds, then there could be considerations. After a recent tussle with DOJ, Microsoft pulled down all links embedded in XP to its online music stores. I imagine we will not see feeds to MSN Shopping or MSN Music in IE 7 or Longhorn.

What I would like to see in IE 7 are some basic Microsoft.com feeds (e.g. support/security alerts) to prove the concept to the everyday user and then a Favorite that points to an open directory of feeds. This could be either a new directory that Microsoft creates or one or more established indexes, such as Nooked. Either way, the directory needs to be open so that anyone can submit their feed and categorize it.

I also think that Microsoft should put a major marketing effort behind RSS in Longhorn whenever it ships. It would go a long way to helping consumers understand the value of RSS. Sign Elton John now to sing "Feed Me" at a big 2006 event on the Redmond campus.

Readers, what's your perspective? This is your chance to have your opinion heard by the key players at Microsoft. It sounds like they really are open to opinions. Let's tell them what we think we want in the way of default feeds in IE7.

Comments

[Deb]

I think I've already got RSS in Safari from Apple. It only installed one non-irritating default feed to Apple Hot News. By non-irritating, I mean that there aren't a million posts I don't care about and it goes to an "Apple" Bookmark on my "Bookmarks Bar". It's easy to use, and I love it.

I've heard Longhorn will also contain a more difficult to use version of Spotlight. (Whether that's true or not, I'll probably be the last to know.)

What never ceases to amaze me is the typical Microsoft vs. Apple thing. Why do so many people wait with bated breath for something that, as you indicate, Microsoft is still trying to develop? When you can already have it, running fabulously and easy-to-use, on Apple?

I'd think most people who are looking for RSS, usually bloggers, wouldn't appreciate a lot of defaults. However, if they're looking to pull people into using RSS, starting with news feeds would probably be of most interest to most people. Once they found how easy it is to use to access information they're probably already reading, they'd have to be hooked. Right?

And in an effort to be the nicer, friendlier Microsoft, along with security updates, I'd throw Scoble and Heather's recruiting blog in there. (Of course, if Microsoft were to do that, I'd think they should strike a deal with those two to cover bandwidth, additional costs, etc.) Those two are fantastic representatives of their company. They're enough to almost make me like Microsoft!
;-)

All the best!
deb

Disclaimer: I use Firefox, except for checking my RSS feeds in Safari.

[Jakal]

Doesnt make a whole lot of sense... seems like a diversion!!! All that was promised... where did it go.. its much easier to go get a feedreader and install it.. then microsoft rss feature gtting hacked.. applying patches!!! I woudnt not want to see a patch which says"A flaw has been detected in rss reader which would allow a hacker to gain control of your system" . Microsft focussing on other stuff it promised.. like an application crash will not affect the OS... THAT WILL BE NEAT!!!

[George Petruck]

In this day of credibilty and concern over the ability to trust the news source, Microsoft's coming along adds some serious crediblity. Now the users are able to take the next step and become more active in the blog-o-sphere without having to knowing too much.

[Gunther]

So, IE7 will have RSS capabilities... big freakin whoop.

The only thing that scares me, is IE itself. Since IE will now have "auto-updating" feeds of content, it will only be a matter of time, before some hacker takes over a bunch of RSS feeds, and simply opening IE7 will put you at risk of "auto-downloading" the latest malware, spyware or virus from the 'Net.

No thanks, I'll take security over IE anyday. Firefox and Thunderbird are awesome, and make IE look like the best of 1990.

Won't be going back to IE,... ever.