The easiest way to get around a corporate firewall is to use an online feed reader, such as Google Reader. And if for some strange reason that’s blocked, there are plenty of others to choose from. Odds are at least a few of them are let through.
The vast majority of web sites have the capability to have its content read using a feed reader, such as PC Mech. Other sites that have feeds are public MySpace blogs, LiveJournal blogs and just about any other blog you can think of. Heck, even ESPN has a blog feed!
Here’s how to set up your feed reader, using Google Reader as an example:
- Create a Google Acount (note: If you already have a Gmail account, use that to login with and skip this step)
- Head over to http://www.google.com/reader
- Click “Add Subscription” on the left after logging in.
- Type in the address of the web site that has a feed ready to use, such as www.pcmech.com. If the site has a feed available, Google Reader will auto-discover the feed for you.
- A few seconds later, that site and its latest content will be listed in the sidebar on the left. Clicking on it will show the content on the right.
- Add as many feeds as you like. Fill it up. When you login to Google Reader at the office, all your feeds will be there with all the newly updated content.
All other feed readers more or less operate the same way.
Using Google Reader to view content while at work is also advantageous because it “looks corporate.”
I do not advocate goofing off on the job when you should be working, but you know you’re going to do it anyway so you might as well use a method that doesn’t “break the rules” at the office.
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