The biggest thing about GR is that it's a service that you can sync with using any device or app. That's the part that people are going to miss when it's gone, since although there are plenty of RSS clients around, a huge number of them rely on GR for syncing.
I think people are working on duplicating that bit as well though. So there should be some web-based framework to take over, just need to wait and see which one.
I'm not Chrissssssssssssssssss but Chris Higglypigglypoo type of thingy. The scent today is probably a mixture of plaster, sawdust and white spirit. Mmm.