Read Later Fast - Offline Reading for Chrome
The Evolution of Webpage Saving
Conventional bookmarking methods are rapidly becoming obsolete. Services such as Instapaper, Pocket, and Delicious, alongside other streamlined tools – as highlighted by Yaara, a colleague who focuses on lightweight solutions for offline reading – are redefining how users preserve webpages.
Interestingly, she was in the process of suggesting another similar service when it was discovered to have been discontinued.
Read Later Fast: A Resurgent Option
Read Later Fast has re-emerged as a compelling choice, and its current performance mirrors the success of its initial release.
With a user base approaching 300,000 and overwhelmingly positive feedback, this extension presents a strong case for testing within the Chrome browser.
Furthermore, Read Later Fast has received endorsements from our readership, leading to its inclusion on our curated list of Best Chrome Extensions.
The positive reception indicates its value as a modern alternative to traditional bookmarking systems.
Key Features of Read Later Fast
Allow me to highlight the three primary characteristics of this tool to demonstrate its value as a Chrome extension. A corresponding Firefox add-on is also available.
Core Functionality
- Pages can be saved for convenient, deferred reading.
- The need to maintain a large number of open browser tabs is reduced, as content can be stored for later review.
- Access to saved articles is enabled even offline.
These features combine to offer a streamlined reading experience, enhancing productivity and organization.
Read Later Fast provides a simple solution for managing online content consumption.
Preserving Web Content: Cloud-Based Storage with Diigo
A new account can be established directly through Diigo.com, or alternatively, a Google account can be utilized for online storage of bookmarks and webpage snapshots. While not directly stated, current usage suggests an unlimited number of bookmarks can be saved.
The free account allows for 1000 highlights annually, and the retention of cached versions for up to 30 pages. Expanding to the Basic or Premium subscription tiers unlocks increased storage and functionality.
Benefits of Diigo's Platform
A significant advantage of Diigo is its comprehensive suite of tools and dedicated mobile applications. These resources facilitate access to, and synchronization of, saved pages across a variety of devices.
This cross-platform compatibility ensures that your research and reading materials are readily available wherever you are.
- Bookmarks: Store important links for future reference.
- Highlights: Mark key passages within webpages.
- Cached Pages: Preserve webpage content even if the original site changes.
Diigo provides a robust solution for managing and accessing online information, offering both convenience and reliability.
Quickly Save Articles for Later Reading
The inherent value of a well-designed application resides in its ease of use. The Read Later Fast extension integrates directly into the right-click context menu within the Chrome browser. While browsing any webpage, a simple right-click allows you to save the page for future access. A keyboard shortcut, [CTRL+SHIFT+L], is also available and can be personalized through the Options settings.
A successful save is confirmed by a brief, unobtrusive icon appearing at the top of the screen. This confirmation appears only after the page has fully loaded, although bookmarking begins even during the loading process. Below is an illustration of several pages I’ve saved for later review during my free time.
Accessing your saved articles is straightforward, allowing you to begin reading with a single click. Navigation between articles is facilitated through a slideshow-like interface.
The reading pane offers a choice between two distinct views: the original web presentation and a streamlined plain text version, retaining article graphics. This eliminates the need for a separate readability extension. Navigation arrows allow for easy movement between articles in the queue.
A small circular icon, positioned next to the Archive, Delete, and Open in new tab options, provides a link to the Similar Sites search engine. This feature identifies websites comparable to the one hosting the article, offering a useful addition.
You can archive completed articles, removing them from the primary view. However, immediate deletion is not recommended, as revisiting them may be desired. Articles can be easily marked as “unread” and returned to the reading queue at any time.
During travels where internet access is limited, I’ve discovered Read Later Fast to be invaluable for offline reading. It enables access to articles even without a connection, supporting offline mode. While images may not always display, the text content and original CSS styling are preserved. Switching to the text view resolves any issues with empty image placeholders.
Read Later Fast also incorporates a product search function, providing price comparisons and related product details. I have personally opted to disable this feature, but it can be re-enabled or disabled within the Options menu.
Read Later Fast: A Detailed Review
A feature for annotating and highlighting content would significantly enhance the application's utility. Often, users may only wish to preserve specific portions of a webpage, rather than the entire document.
The inclusion of a dedicated note-saving function would also prove beneficial, serving as a reminder of the initial reason for saving a particular webpage.
From an organizational standpoint, tools such as Annotary currently offer a more robust experience.
Synchronization and Account Limitations
Leveraging Diigo's infrastructure and its tailored device-specific applications minimizes concerns regarding synchronization across various devices and computers.
While the restrictions of the free account could potentially impede usage if the storage limit is attained, this limitation wasn't encountered during testing.
Currently, Pocket and Instapaper are considered slightly more advantageous in this aspect.
Overall Assessment and Recommendation
Read Later Fast excels as a straightforward application for saving webpages and bookmarking content for offline access.
Its simplicity of use is a key strength, allowing for functionality even without an active internet connection.
Furthermore, it effectively addresses the issue of excessive browser tabs.
We encourage readers to evaluate Read Later Fast by comparing it directly with their preferred 'read it later' application.
Share your initial and concluding thoughts with us – we’re eager to hear your feedback!
- Key Features: Simple interface, offline access.
- Potential Improvements: Annotation, note-taking capabilities.
- Synchronization: Reliant on Diigo's backend.