RSS vs. Productivity: It doesn't have to be winner takes all

In my Twitter vs. Productivity entry (published mere minutes before this one), I outlined how I tweaked my Twitter usage to use the tool more effectively.

What I didn't mention is that I did the same with my RSS reader, Net News Wire (used in conjunction with the NewsGator Online service). That is, I removed feeds I don't read or that always get backed up because of the overwhelming traffic. I kept the feeds that are of direct professional or personal interest.

Granted, much like with Twitter accounts, I will have some on occasion that I am just testing out, but my new criteria requires that:

• I read the entries often.
• The post frequency and volume is moderate or low (unless quick to read or sort through).
• I read the entries consistently
• The information is interesting professionally or personally.
• My life improves, either professionally or personally, in some small or large way from the content.

These restrictions don't mean I have a small list of feeds or Twitter accounts I read. On the contrary, it is still time for tough decisions about what feeds or streams to remove. I love learning, and I love learning from other people's perspectives. That makes it hard, but no less important, for me to cull out everything that isn't the most efficient and effective.

Of course, sometimes there are feeds or streams so moving or relevant to the times we live in that they break the rules above. Most rules have exceptions anyway, right?