Build a Super News Ticker with Gmail

NYC Times Square - Motron by Wallyg

One of my favorite sights in New York City is the Dow Jones news ticker in Times Square. It's known as the zipper and is over 80 years old. Edelman's primary New York office is across the street so whenever I am on on the way or out of the building I get a quick update on what's happening.

Using Gmail's Web Clips feature you can re-create the same experience on your computer. Since I use Gmail as a database and notetaking tool (a substitute for apps like Evernote, Yojimbo or Devonthink), I always have it running in a tab. Whenever it's active, Web Clips keeps me in the know and helps me manage the Attention Crash.

The trick to Web Clips however is to think about how you consume information and configure it with RSS feeds that are really useful. Here are five that can help you track news and memes...

• The New York Times Home Page - my go to source for news (RSS)


• Digg Home Page Direct Links - converts the Digg home page into direct links (RSS)


• Top Trending Topics on Twitter - a real-time view of the most popular microblogged words (RSS)


• Techmeme Firehose - All stories that make it to Techmeme (RSS)


• Google Trends - A Yahoo Pipe mashup with direct links to the hour's top 100 searches (RSS)

The rest of my feeds are in Google Reader. When all is said and done here's what it looks like. What's in your Web Clips? How do you keep up with the news and memes?

Comments

[Orli Yakuel]

Great post!

I also advice to companies to add an RSS from twitter search that contain the name of their company. That way, they'll be able to track what people are saying about them on Twitter.

[Steve Rubel]

Orli, thanks. With that feed, the ticker may not work depending on volumesince brands should probably see everything. That's where a reader reallyshines.

[Chris Anderson]

Thanks for the great links - but your Digg home page feed only seems to be of the top Technology stories, not all categories. Could you post a link for digg into all categories, or even better, explain how you set up the yahoo pipes for it? Thanks!

[jack]

A substitute for apps like devonthink? I was a devonthink user in the past but gave it up when I didn't need such a full featured application. But saying you're using gmail to replace devonthink means one of two things. You either weren't using all of devonthinks features, or don't really know what devonthink can do.

[Steve Rubel]

Chris, Tamar Weinberg took care of it here -http://pipes.yahoo.com/pipes/pipe.info?_id=64c811e52cc5a4f97db8f22887de5186

[Chris Anderson]

Thanks so much!

[Shel Holtz]

Cool, Steve, but no substitute for Evernote unless that's all you use Evernote for. I took a picture of a train ticket with my cell phone in the UK and saved it to Evernote, which scanned the image and recognized the text. When I needed to find the ticket for expense reimbursement, I just searched Evernote for "Manchester," the destination, and the photo appeared. I doubt Gmail can do that!

[SkunkSaver]

Hey SteveI just wanted say that although I use Gmail like a tool for note taking, mailing (of course) and etc, I dislike webclips very much because it shows a sponsored link/ad which can be VERY disorienting and appalling when you're going through your routine news feed.

Is there a way to stop the sponsored links?

Thanks.

[Steve Rubel]

None.

[ExploreMyBlog]

That's Great I also advice to people and companies that add RSS and get their things publish and up-to-date for their viewers and readers.

[BCK]

Thanks for the feed links added them to my snackr AIR app on the desktop

[Benjamin]

Great Post Steve,

Hadn't begun customizing/utilizing this feature until I read your article.

Do you know if there are any gadgets/scripts that will make these clips scroll or change on a timer a la the Time Square ticker?

Cheers,Benjamin

[Steve Rubel]

Ben, no idea since I really don't run scripts. I am a purist! :-)

[Programmer Helper]

That's Great I also advice to people and companies that add RSS and get their things publish and up-to-date for their viewers and readers.