Daily IT Readings

Today I will show you how to build a personal, filtered, web-based RSS reader with free tools and no programming (except simple SQL). I will not go into too many details so that you can have fun experimenting with the tools. Before we start you will need:

1. A list of the URLs of your favorite feeds - the more the better because we will be filtering the content. High-profile, popular RSS feeds will work better with the filtering I propose. OPML format will be best.
   
2. Oracle XE - it's free to use. You might also want to install Oracle SQL Developer - it will make developing databases easier.
3. Apatar - This is a FOSS ETL tool which we will use to transform the RSS feed items and automatically import them in the database.

In order to have filtering you should use the Feedhub , Postrank or Feedscrub services. In my example I used the first two. Please note that Feedhub and Feedscrub need some "training" in order to work well. After you've registered for these services import your feed list in them and get the URLs of the personalized RSS feeds they provide. You will need those shortly.

In the next post we will create the database and Apatar transformations.