User comments from our previous post
“Create an RSS feed from any website data” pointed out a couple other options.

1. openkapow. Download and install their RoboMaker software to create REST, RSS, ATOM or HTML service feeds from just about any source that has a URL.

openkapow almost lost me on step one “Download and Install RoboMaker” (No Mac version available), and then again after I noticed it was a 106 MB file (eek!), but I pushed through. After installing, my first impression is ‘complicated‘. openkapow seems incredibly powerful, but it’s going to take some work to go through the tutorials and learn your way up to making a REST service or even consuming a simple feed.

2. FeedYes. Point the service at a URL and it tries to figure out if there’s any structured data on the page. Seems to work well with my initial tests, but the user interface could use a bit of polishing.

Out of the four so far (Feed43, Dapper, openkapow, FeedYes) my vote for straight up easiest to use with some options is Dapper; completely web based, no problems with reliability and hopefully any of the UI awkwardness of the initial releases will improve with age.

Hope this helps.

Ever wanted to subscribe to a site via RSS but they don’t provide a feed?

Several services have sprung up lately to solve the problem. Feed43 and Dapper step you through a process of creating a custom feed for a feedless site. The configuration at both Feed43 and Dapper are more complicated than I would like but doable after some trial and error.

Not exactly widgets, although I find them incredible useful. They may give you something to fill up content for your RSS feed reader widgets like those provided by Widgetbox, SpringWidgets and MuseStorm.

I’ve been using both services to track forums which do not provide RSS feeds (not cool by the way). Also great for sites where you want to monitor search results.

Hope this helps.

Discover people and places nearby while broadcasting your current geographic location with Plazes.

As your computer moves locations, IP address changes are detected with a small app you install. When a change occurs the app prompts you to supply location information including address and description.

There’s also a small app you can install on some cell phones to automatically detect your location. I could see this being very useful.

You can SMS in your location as well.

The Plazes widget works with myspace, friendster, TagWorld and any other community that allows you to embed Flash.

Create your own online polls with Vizu.

With several different configurations and color options, the AccuWeather is practical and good looking, just like MacGyver. Know of anything better?

Providing your Contact Info is optional on the AccuWeather widget sign-up/configuration page.

Suck any RSS feed into this Flash based reader widget-y widget. Works well, looks good, easy to configure… but…why?

Embeddable Flash based widget for your photos. Import photos from your favorite service (flickr, photobucket, 23hq, set some colors, sizes and blammo! - another widget to add to the pile.

“Here at Good Widgets we follow a strict bad widget non-proliferation policy. Our widgets are nurtured and given the proper care to ensure maximum goodness. Made from only the finest of technologies, our widgets exceed even our high expectations.

If you have a website, blog, social network page or heck even email you can share your customized widgets with the world. We have Good Widgets standing by, so Sign Up now!”

Give that copywriter a raise. Check’em out.

Leafletter helps you build a mini web site (”Leaflet” - their term) within a Flash web widget. Distribute to social networks, blogs and web sites. Many users are using the service to publish their portfolios.

File storage and sharing service Box.net have updated their Flash based file sharing widget - and they did a good job. Create a folder of files within your Box.net account, and then select “Get a widget”. Detailed review available at SexyWidget.com.

Build a community of readers around your blog with MyBlogLog. Premium service includes a stats package. Display a widget on your site to show recent visits by MyBlogLog community members.