Mike's Mostly Tech blog

Using a Feed Reader

I was talking with someone about how I try and keep some of all the information that is out here in a useable, readable fashion that I can access quickly. I mentioned that I use a Newsreader and sift through the ‘noise’ there easier than hitting dozens and dozens of sites and getting squirreled on tangents.

Here’s a quick run through of what I use and how.

My go to newsreader is QuiteRSS

Get QuiteRSS reader here. I use the Portable version.

Install/unpack and launch.

Some application options I use to make navigation easier:

I use the ‘external browser – so the reader uses my Windows Default browser:

You can import exported feeds (both OPML and XML formats).

I have my news and other feeds already exported from previous Newsreader. I regularly export my OPML file after adding new feeds, and backup/copy it to the cloud so that I may have it to use on my phone or other device I happened to load the portable reader on.

Easily add feeds for sites; example of adding HowToGeek site:

Go up to feed icon and click and or copy that link. Looks like this:

https://www.howtogeek.com/feed/

Copy that feed address:

Then add to QuiteRSS. Open QuiteRSS and use the dropdown and add new Feed:

It should automatically find the copied item on your clip board

Next and finish

Now some real fun

You can export all your YouTube Subscriptions and import them into your Feed Reader – QuiteRSS.

Go to the YouTube subscription manager page:

https://www.youtube.com/subscription_manager

At the very bottom you’ll see the button to ‘Export subscription’

Click on it and save your subscriptions, I just called them YouTubeScriptions.

This will export an XML file of all your subscriptions which can then be imported into the Feed Reader

Then open QuiteRSS and go to File>Import Feeds

Select the file and import your feeds

Now your Reader will have all your YouTube feeds/subscriptions too!

How to download videos from the Internet

I am asked VERY often how I am able to save videos from the Net (read disclaimer at bottom please)

There are many reasons one might want to download a video for later viewing. To watch while offline or traveling, to study. Maybe because so many videos get removed if they don’t fit the ‘censor lords’ narratives or views. Or sometimes the vids show a happening that would undermine a current narrative or lie.

What ever your reason here are a couple ways.

This extension lets you download most flash videos EXCEPT YouTube (more on that in a moment)

https://www.downloadhelper.net/install

To download YouTube Videos.

First, install Tampermonkey

Open https://tampermonkey.net/ and install the extension for your browser.

Firefox: [https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/tampermonkey/]

Then go here https://en.savefrom.net/userjs-setup.php and install the script:

Now you can download any YouTube videos as you like.

(you may have to switch your YouTube viewing to the ‘old format’ search google for how. For Chrome you can try this extension here but note some said it doesn’t work or requires authentication)

Head over to YouTube and select a video. You’ll see a button you can click to download files (has dropdown to choose quality too)! See example:

NOTE: Sometimes you must ‘right-click’ on the download link and choose ‘Open in new Tab’ for the download options to show. Then you can save to whatever location you wish

There you have it. Two ways to get some videos.

[disclaimer: by downloading ANY copyrighted or owned property YOU are responsible for that action and any possible consequences. You may be violating some ‘terms of service’ or other legal shtuff. ALL that is your decision or choice. The information provided is just that – information. Not an endorsement of these methods.

How to export your YouTube channels to a RSS feed reader

To help make my time more productive while online, I use QuiteRSS portable RSS feed reader. Get it here: https://quiterss.org/en/download (I use the portable version but you can use fully installed version if you like. Or use any feed reader you’re comfortable or familiar with.)

I find it so much easier to check up on what I want to without getting squirrelled onto tangents by being able to have my preferred providers in one spot.
I actually have 50 subscriptions for news and such alone, not including all my YouTube channels.

Okay so how to get all your subscribed YouTube channels into your RSS reader..

Make sure you’re logged into your Google/Youtube account first of course:

Got to: https://www.youtube.com/subscription_manager
At the bottom look for the ‘Export to RSS Readers’ line and then Export Subscriptions.
This will save all your subscribed feeds (feeds NOT content obviously) to an OPML XML file (download and save somewhere) that can then be imported into your RSS reader of choice. Simply open you reader and ‘import feeds’ and BAM all your subscriptions will now be there.

Additional tip for those that actually want to download YouTube videos. (YouTube does not wish you to this and sometimes it’s said you’re not supposed to via copyright or some other T.O.S. – but I believe that for personal has been adjudicated in the positive for individuals)
These two addons allow for a button to ‘Download’ at the bottom of the video. I Simply right-click and choose ‘Open In New Tab’ and have the option to download the video to my HDD.

My default browser it Chrome (sometimes I switch to Firefox) but both have the Tamper Monkey Extension/Add on on both browsers and have these two scripts installed
https://greasyfork.org/en/scripts/371817-youtube-best-video-downloader-2
and
https://greasyfork.org/en/scripts/33219-fastest-youtube-downloader-video-or-mp3/code