10 Reasons Why You're Going to Love Toluu
Have you heard about Toluu yet? This new RSS-based service, currently in private beta, lets you share your OPML with others in order to discover new feeds, see what your friends are reading, and even discover new people who share your same interests. If that sounds familiar, it's probably because Toluu is very much like the reincarnation of the once-popular site, ShareYourOPML (now defunct), which used to do the same thing. But Toluu not only revives that site's spirit, it does so it a much better fashion than ShareYourOPML ever did.
Toluu is the latest newcomer to the RSS scene, joining a crowded space dominated by online readers and communities like Google Reader, Shyftr, Bloglines, and aggregators like RSSMeme, the soon-to-return Readburner, and the everything lifestream of FriendFeed. Unlike those sites, however, Toluu doesn't aim to take you away from your current RSS reader. Instead, what Toluu offers is a way to share your feeds with others in a quick and easy way.
So why does this feed sharing service have so many other bloggers talking? And why should you bother with yet another RSS service? Here are 10 good reasons why you should give Toluu a look:
- You can sign up with OpenID: Toluu starts out on the right foot by letting you sign up for the service with your OpenID. You can also choose to save yourself some typing by letting them import your profile using the hCard microformat on your profile at flickr, twitter, Technorati, Last.FM, or Upcoming. Not into OpenID yet? A regular sign-up form is still provided.
- It's Easy: There's not a whole lot to it. Sign up, login, and upload your OPML. You don't have to find your friends or fill out a big user profile.
- You don't have to do anything: Besides uploading your OPML, there isn't anything else you have to do to benefit from the service. Although you can go through your feeds and mark your favorites, those of us with hundreds of feeds won't take the time and we don't have to. Toluu can make recommendations based on your feed list alone.
- Collaborative filtering helps Toluu learn: As activity on Toluu increases, what you and your friends read and tag as favorites will help you discover new feeds that you may enjoy reading. The recommendation engine is right on target. It shows your matches, what percentage compatibility you have with them, what feeds you have in common, and which ones you like. This is much better than anything ShareYourOPML ever offered.
- You won't be recommended "one-hit wonder" blogs: Remember that one guy who wrote that one post that one time? The one that hit Techmeme and then you never heard of him since? That feed wouldn't be recommended to you, unless you showed interest in actively reading the rest of his feed on a regular basis.
- The Toluu bookmarklet helps you add new feeds with ease: Because re-importing your OPML after ever new feed added would be a pain, Toluu offers a bookmarklet that lets you add a feed to both Toluu and your preferred feed reader which will first add the feed to Toluu before continuing on to add it to your RSS reader.
- It's not trying to replace your RSS Reader: If you wanted to, you could use it as an RSS reader, but that's not what it's designed to do. So it's not a matter of you having to switch readers to enjoy using this service.
- The Feeds! No matter how many feeds you currently subscribe to, you're bound to find more that you didn't know existed. Plus, you can spy on the shared feeds of anyone, provided you know their username, which is a great way to find out what people read.
- The Activity Stream: The Toluu activity page gives you a quick glance at what your friends have been reading and doing on the Toluu service.
- The Potential: Granted, this, like most services today rely on having a decent userbase to find success. However, based on ShareYourOPML's former popularity, Toluu has a great shot at filling the void that was left behind when that site disappeared.
A Toluu Profile Page
All that being said, the site still needs a bit of work before it can really take off, but since it's still in private beta, they have the time to work out the kinks and maybe even add a couple more features, too.
For example, a search feature to find other Toluu users would be a big help, especially as they grow. Also, the notification preferences are all switched on by default, which means you'll get emails whenever someone adds you as a contact, adds or removes a feed, or recommends a feed, and you're automatically subscribed to the newsletter. That's a bit much.
If you're interested in joining Toluu, you can request a beta invite or you can comment here. I have seven to give away, so first come, first serve.
UPDATE! There are 100 invites available now. Comment here for yours!
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I'd love an invite. It'd be interesting to see if it recs different things than Google Reader.
Posted by: ambertides.wordpress.com
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March 28, 2008 11:57 AM
I want one! :)
Looks great. would love to give it a (t)whirl.
Posted by: rtsnance.myopenid.com
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March 28, 2008 12:03 PM
Can you send me one?
I used to use Dave Winer's Share.opml.org this sounds somewhat similar....sure send me an invite Sarah.
Invites available? Oooh, pick me, pick me!
-Rick
y'all can have a play with the original version of readburner here: http://v1.readburner.com
we'll be re-launching very soon ;)
An invite please if there are any left.
I'd love to get an invite!
Love to have an invite please. Still seeing if I can find cool stuff before Marshall ;). No, no competition at all ;).
thanks!
thank you!
I'll take one!
Hey, I would like an invite, it sounds awesome. I love trying out new site in beta.
Thanks
Thank You!
I would like to check this out, please send me a beta invite.
I'd like to try :)
Thanks for introducing me to Toluu.Wanna try it :) Can you please pass an invite code to me???
Thanks,
Prateek
Can I have an invite? Please...:-)
I'd love an invite! Thanks! :D
I'd love an invite!
I would also like an invite. Thanks!
I'd love an invite - a new toy to play with for the weekend :)
I'll take one, thanks!
Hiya.
This service sounds really interesting, and I would definitely love an invite.
Many thanks, RRW!
Would love an invite, thanks. Good detailed review.
I liked having my OPML on sharemyopml not sure why Dave stopped the site.. but glad to see someone picking it up.. Would love an invite..
thanks..
Would also appreciate an invite. Nice review too - thanks.
Would be happy to try it out too
I'll check out the service if an invite is sent my way.
Sounds like delicious for RSS Feeds, i'm down for an invite!
I miss the Share OPML app. I'd love to try it!
Looks great. I'd love a test drive.
Invite? Yes, please!
Posted by: matthew.schultz.myopenid.com
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March 28, 2008 1:20 PM
Any invites left? Thanks
I'd love an invite. I really enjoy testing these new things out. And it won't make me switch from NetVibes!
Can I have one?
Hi, I really liked shareyouropml, I'd love to try toluu...
That looks like fine - I'd love an invite, if you have one spare...
I'd love to test this service too!
i'd like to see what toluu looks like
i'd like one
I'd love a chance to test toluu
Ill take an invite please
Great post, would love an invite to try it out.
Ill would gladly use one too :)
I'd love to get an invite too ! Thanks !
Fishing for an invite
Please invite me. Been waiting for this. Thanks again.
Why Toluu? Oh, an invite would be fandabbydocious as well of course!
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