I've been using NewsFire since version 0.5 or so, and have been very happy with it. I liked NewsFire so much that I paid the $20, and have had ZERO regrets about that decision.

I originally got NewsFire because it was free, and was also (like everyone it seems) a little miffed when the developer started charging for it, but it is absolutely ridiculous to expect something for nothing, and all the complainers need to wake up and realize that there ain't no such thing as a free lunch.

I haven't experienced ANY of the so-called stability problems that others complain of. The worst that's happened to me is the occasional unexpected closing of the app, nothing more. And all this hoo-hah about an unresponsive developer is simply not true. I was having an issue with the NewsFire and my proxy server at work, and emailed the developer about it. A week later, the next version had the fix.

The simple fact of the matter these days is thta you have to support those things you like if you want them to continue. Other people won't do it for you. I liked NewsFire, and believe it has potential, and want to see it evolve, so paid for it. If you like the look and feel, then pay for it, and suggest new features, and eventually, you'll have the app you want.

All the other RSS readers are just too clunky, and while free, aren't that nice to use. NewsFire fits right in with the overall elegance of Macs and OSX.