Dave talks about Scoble's use of NewsGator as an aggregator:

Just had a phone talk with Scoble, and finally I have a clue why people use aggregators integrated with email clients. He had a couple of compelling reasons. 1. Since it's integrated with email he can easily forward an item to people he works with via email. 2. He has a folder where he drags items he wants to write about later. BTW he uses NewsGator. I still prefer the blog-style interface of Radio's aggregator. [Scripting News]

I like Radio's aggregator because I run Radio on a home server. This gives me the easy ability to read and post news from a consistent interface anywhere on the planet.

I dislike the aggregator in Radio in part due to it's use of tables and lack of customization. I've tried the myRadio but haven't found what I'm looking for yet.

Imagine a product for Radio users called “Pirate!”. It's a tool that loads at startup and modifies the calls in Radio.root to use “Pirate!” calls for things like the aggregator. First on the agenda: rewrite the HTML output for Radio's aggregator and set a preference for it. Pref #1–text only summaries, pref #2–classic or current style, pref #3–CSS based templates with allowance for headlines, grouping, etc.

Next, aggregator email to user based on criteria. Example: I want any post that comes in to my aggregator from Dave Winer to be emailed to me, but only once every two hours. I want a second summary email twice a day (8AM and 4PM) with news from selected sites out of the many I subscribe to. Finally, keyword searching like “directory” “google” “scripting” found in a feed generates an immediate email.</p.

“Pirate!” would also do theme generation, much like TypePad does. Take the user through a series of questions, generate the preview and have the user approve it. This would open the door for a little more web-based fun and imagery than we have now, and allow CSS-valid templates more flexibility.

In all, I want to propose that we need Radio Lite. Radio is a simple user tool, but the infrastructure is too complex. Rewrite and redevelop Radio like this:

• DB backend like embedded mySQL (think NetNewsWire)
• Standard UI instead of the web page. Two programs (Radio and web browser) doing one this is confusing to users. Beginners don't get the outliner. When they do, graduate to Radio
• Leave the cloud metaphor in place. $40 gets Radio Lite and hosting on the cloud. $80 gets regular Radio and domain mapping.

These are ideas. Add your own. Brent Simmons is almost there with NetNewsWire. He's written an aggregator that posts news, but still requires the weblog software. Why not take it the next step further?

I pulled the CSS from the main Radio template and put it in a separate
file, hoping to cut the amount of KB I'm transferring.  I've been
talking to my webhost provider about the amount of traffic lately and
we've come up with some easy solutions.  I”m hoping to move my
images and enclosures to a separate server on a different piece.

I've been reading Matt Neuberg's “Frontier, the Definitive Guide” on and off, trying to learn Radio and Frontier's UserTalk language.

I'm on page 42, for those of you who might have it. In fact, go get it, flip to same page. I'll wait

Done? Great. Here's the deal:

Matt says that if I write a script in an outline, then select it and paste it into an empty wptext window, it will render the script with the correct braces and such. See Example 4-5 if you are following along.

Well, in Radio 8.0.8, it won't do that. Yes, it's been 5 years since Matt and O'Reilly did the deed, but shouldn't that always work? Does anyone out there know why? Does it matter?

Side note: anyone recommend a better “How to learn UserTalk” book/doc?

Dave writes:

I'm with Kevin on this.  I wrote an open letter
about this a few months ago.  I personally don't care about which
format vs. another format, but I want one that we can all agree on and
grow together.  We don't need another useless technology war.

Via Scripting News:

Tim Jarrett defines weblog. [Scripting News]

I love this definition. Tim, can I use it for my articles?

To Andrew Grumet, an apology:  I felt horrible this morning for
two reasons–leaving you in the lurch and because three days of less
than 6 hours sleep caught up.  I spent the afternoon with my wife,
reconnecting with her after four days of pre- and during-BloggerCon
adreneline.  I'm about to get a cold, too; lymph nodes are swollen.

I've had a decent amount of sleep and will get more in the next few
days.  I got great interviews that I will post (with enclosures,
creating a new enclosure channel) especially one from Adam Curry. 
A consumate gentleman, Adam handled my amateur questions with a quiet
grace that few people of notoriety have mastered.  His interview
is my favorite.

All interviews will be uploaded as mp3 files, linked from the main page
and in the aforementioned feed.  Second fav:  Scott Johnson,
inventor of Feedster.  He's got a great product waiting in the
wings.  Ask him about it.

I'm also using BloggerCon as an opportunity to recharge.  When I
get back, I'm going to make some major changes in the weblog. 
Wait and see, comment if you like.

We're Off!

Car packed and ready. Gas Tank full. Maps done, cell phone in hand. iPod loaded with driving music. Today's first stops: St. Louis, Indianapolis, Columbus, Cleveland and hopefully Erie.

Our good friend Pamela Witte is housesitting so our two cats won't be *completely* bored. Thanks, Pamela.

See you on Friday in Boston!