RSS-loving internet users awoke today to some sad news,  as Google announced that it will be discontinuing its Reader software beginning on July 1. The tool was once beloved by its community of readers, but has since been replaced by mainstream social media sites like Facebook and Reddit. 

The folks at Google are hoping that those who are still loyal to Reader will instead use the company's social network, Google Plus, to follow and share articles with one another online. 

And though there has been some outcry - including more than one editorial on very mainstream tech site Mashable - for the most part, the service won't be all that missed, if the mainstream online publications have anything to say about it. 

Jason Shellen, an engineer at the company who came in with its acquisition of Blogger, came up with the idea for Google Reader because he wanted an easier way to make sense of numerous feeds in one place. And thus Reader was born, an easy way for him to do all of his reading in the same page on his customized laptop. But even its mastermind believed that its time had come and gone.

"It's more bittersweet," he replied when Mat Honan?, the noted Wired writer asked him how he felt about it going away. "I'd almost rather see it go away than linger out there and languish."

Those who use Reader have until July 1 to find an alternative. But if you're still using this antiquated internet service, maybe it's time for an update anyway. Call the experts at PortableOne. We'll be able to set you up with a better computer that can do a lot more than your current model and chat about Google Reader alternatives as well.