RSS/podcatcher aggregator/reader - Part 2

I am back at it, trying to find a good program. That's it, a good program.

Okay, the features I want a re fairly specific, but also very common. The problem is finding them in one program.

I have now tried these apps as well:
Floola - Only works if an iPod is connected. Likely only for managing what is already on the ipod. Not what I am looking for.

Songbird - Not bad, except that there is no way to manage existing podcasts nor to even see them. Looks like this is just not part of their feature set yet.

MediaMonkey - Nice features, good options, even a new feature I didn't know I wanted -- Folder naming based on artist and title of podcast!
However, it (like iTunes) renames the file to the title of the episode. With most podcasts this gets rid of the episode number!!! That makes managing what I have watched and what I ahve not watched much harder.
I am gonig to use MediaMonkey a little more and make sure it will let me do what I need with taking files home, and removing them from the laptop. If so, I may start moving all my subscriptions to it, and forget about iTunes. The download speeds in MediaMonkey alone make it a hands-down winner over iTunes for anyone who has a lot of subscriptions, or large video files in subscriptions.

Note: Miro keeps the file name the same as it is on the server. This would make it the winner if it didn't have these other flaws:
- Slow UI
- No ability to remove episodes that you have watched or do not what to see (all exisodes in the feed are always shown as availalbe to download).
- No ability to launch an external media player from in Miro. Like MPC.

iTunes = overweight software

The iTunes install adds these processes (Descriptions from http://searchtasks.answersthatwork.com/ ):
AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
Apple Mobile Device Service. Service installed with Apple's iTunes 7.3 onward. It enables iTunes to interact with the Apple iPhone and the Apple TV.

iPodService.exe
In the later versions of iTunes, such as version 6 or later, the iPodService is used by iTunes itself to communicate with connected iPods.
iTunesHelper.exe
ITUNESHELPER is no longer a 3rd party add-on, it is now an Apple program and part of the iTunes software itself, and our guess is that it is now iTunes' main CD writing interface.

mDNSResponder.exe (bonjour)
Bonjour, also known as zero-configuration networking, enables automatic discovery of computers, devices, and services on IP networks. Bonjour uses industry standard IP protocols to allow devices to automatically discover each other without the need to enter IP addresses or configure DNS servers.
Problems with the services/process that iTunes installs:
1. Unclear exactly what they all do.
2. If all are installed by default, make them all one process, not four different ones.
3. Make the install of them OPTIONAL
4. If they are not installed or are removed, don't nag me every time I open iTunes to tell me it was removed (like Bonjour)
5. Not everyone has (or wants) an iPod.
6. Not everyone has (or wants) an iPhone.

This install of iTunes also requires closing/re-opening Outlook if you have it installed. The reason for this is the "iTunes Outlook Add in". It is believed to be used to be used to synchronize your iPod/iPhone with your Outlook contacts.
http://wildermuth.com/2006/09/30/iTunes_7_x_Installs_Outlook_Addin_-_No_one_seems_to_know_why!
The Apple Update software is another piece of software that should be changed.
They release updates too often, likely not including many fixes. It has to reinstall every time there is an update. It tries to install Safari by default every time.
Seem more info (and some fixes) from these links:
http://john.jubjubs.net/2008/03/21/apple-software-update/
http://news.cnet.com/8301-10784_3-9922267-7.html
http://dcunningham.net/2008/03/25/disabling-apple-software-update-items/
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13880_3-10002257-68.html


I really hope someone makes something better than iTunes soon. I may have to stop purchasing music from the iTunes store soon so I am not encouraging this crap software.


(Update: Now they also include MobileMe software in iTunes. Great, make it MORE bloated!
Apple is worse than M$! At least MS knows that they need to make stuff like this optional!)

(Update 2: Found more applications running;
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\distnoted.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleSyncNotifier.exe

Under C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\ there is a total of 27 EXEs. Crazy.)

RSS podcatcher aggregator reader

Are there any really good programs to receive podcasts/RSS feeds with media enclosures?

Juice and Miro are okay, but are both buggy and lack basic features that iTunes has.
I ahve submitted feature requests for Jpodder, but I am sure we will never see them.

iTunes just plain sucks. Some any issues, very few configuration options, and performance issues with downloading.

Zune software looks good, but lacks most features the others have and doesn't have basic configuration like 'download only newest'. It is full auto (download ALL ever), or full manual (manually select what it should download) with that one.

I have found any tried many more apps as well. Hereare a few lists and wizards to find one that works for you:
http://www.daniels.net.nz/?s=podcatcher
http://www.podcatchermatrix.org/
http://www.sitecreations.com/podcast-software-list.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_feed_aggregators

Here are some more I have tried:
HappyFish
Podcatcher
Doppler
Ziepod
VPodCatcher
WinAmp (great for music, not for podcasts)

I have not yet found any with the features I want. Jumping between these things has become a past time! I cannot find one that works for me, or even one I can live with for now.


The features I want are:

• Keeps track of what I have watched, and what I have not. Or will at leact let me mark something as 'watched' manually
• Downloads only the newest item(s). Idealy anything new since the last time it checked for new ones from that feed
• Can configure it NOT to delete any files
• Works with video and audio files
• Has a GREAT media plaer OR lets me launch the files to an external player of my choice (MPC for me)
• Keeps the file name of the media file that the downloaded file was named OR lets me give a name basted on date and time of publish or download
• Each podcast goes to it's own folder under one main (configurable) folder for all podcasts

Useful features:

• Import and exporting list of feeds for backup would be nice
• Easially move the download folder
• Good support, or good forum, or at least add suggested features
• Supports sync of files to removeable media (like media device or USB drive)
• A screen to view current doownloads
• Sortable list of your subscriptions
• Freeware...

That is all I can think of right now. I am SURE I will think of more later, as I deal with iTunes for the next couple week... until I look for another alternative.

Anyone have any suggestions for another application I can try?? Please?
I'd make it myself if I knew VB .NET better :(