|
| |
 |
RSS has been around for a few years now. It is beginning to gain mainstream popularity
as more people discover its use and benefits. RSS makes keeping up to date with
your favorite Web content much simpler, faster and convenient. If you own/run a
business your company should be utilizing RSS to deliver content to your customers,
Web site visitors and employees. If you don't know what RSS is take a minute to read my
introductory article below. Have a great day, Tom
|
|
|
|
WHAT IS RSS?
RSS stands for "Really Simple Syndication" or "Rich Site Summary". RSS is an easy way to
be automatically updated and informed of changes to content you like on the Internet.
Examples of the type of content you can automatically monitor are changes to Web sites,
news and headlines, new products, auctions, sales, stock prices, blogs, podcasts, MP3s,
movie and music reviews, pictures, the weather, look for jobs and much more. You can
monitor just about anything that changes on the Internet.
|
| |
|
If you use RSS you no longer have to visit many different Web sites to find information that
interests you. You choose the information and Web sites you want to view and monitor. You
view updates in a matter of seconds. Links are made available to click and follow directly
to changes or new information. Unlike e-mail you are not exposed to unwelcome, unsolicited
advertising (SPAM) that you have to filter or delete. There are no annoying Web site popups
though simple banner advertising is sometimes included with the "feed". However, if you do
not like the advertising or content you've subscribed to you simply unsubscribe to the "channel".
It's fast, FREE and a convenient way to get the news and information you want when you
want it.
|
| |
How To?
1) The first step is to choose an RSS reader (sometimes called a news reader or
aggregator). An RSS reader is a small program/application you install on your computer.
Similar to a Web browser (Example: Internet Explorer) an RSS reader must have an active
connection to the Internet to work. There are many different RSS readers available. The
type you use will depend on your personal preferences and the operating system (Examples:
Windows 98, XP, Linux, Mac OS) installed on your computer. To get you started I've proved
links below to a couple of FREE RSS readers you may want to try. Remember, always backup
important information you store on you computer before you add any new
program/application.
|
| |
- Sage - http://sage.mozdev.org
Click here to learn more.
- Awasu - http://www.awasu.com/tour
- AmphetaDesk - http://www.disobey.com/amphetadesk
- BottomFeeder - http://www.cincomsmalltalk.com/BottomFeeder
|
| |
2) Add channels/feeds to your RSS reader. The term "channel" or "feed" is often
used to describe the content you want to monitor for changes. Not all Web sites provide
RSS channels or feeds to their content. The list of Web sites and content providers on
the Internet that offer RSS channel/feeds is expanding constantly as more people realize
it's benefits and uses. You will need to look for links to RSS feeds/channels posted
by the Web site or content provider. Web sites indicate they provide RSS feeds in different
ways. Feeds/channels may be indicated by links that say "News Feed" or "RSS
Feed" or something similar or simply the letters RSS. Oftentimes the
feeds/channels will be indicated by a small orange symbol. The following
three symbols are often used interchangeably to indicate a news feed:
 or
 or
 .
|
| |
| |
|
Each reader has a slightly different way of adding a new feed
(also called a "channel"). I suggest that you spend a few minutes reviewing the help
file included with the RSS reader you choose to install. It is generally very easy to add
new feeds/channels.
|
| |
In many cases you can add a feed/channel by following these steps:
1) Click on the small orange XML or RSS button near the Webpage (channel) you want to add
to your RSS reader. You'll see a page displaying XML code.
2) From your browser, copy the URL that appears in your Address Bar.
3) Paste that URL into the 'Add New Channel' section of the reader.
|
| |
|
The RSS feed/channel will start to display and regularly update the headlines for you.
Some RSS/news readers include channels to get you started. There are also Web sites that
publish large lists of RSS feeds/channels. To find news feeds on a wide variety of topics
a few places to start include:
|
| |
- Syndic8.com - http://www.syndic8.com
- NewsIsFree - http://www.newsisfree.com
- Network54 - http://www.network54.com
|
| |
| |
NOTES:
In the beginning of this article I mention that the RSS reader you choose will
depend on your personal preferences and the operating system (Examples: Windows 98, XP,
Linux, Mac OS) installed on your computer. Adding an RSS reader to your computer at work
may involve additional steps and considerations. How the user rights and group
policies/permissions are configured on your computer/network will dictate which RSS
readers will work or even install for that matter.
|
| |
|
If you don't understand what I'm referring to you may want to contact your network
administrator for his or her approval before you attempt to install an RSS reader. For
example, because of the nature of it's design, AmphetaDesk will run/operate on a Windows
XP computer setup with a more limited "user" level account. Some of the other RSS readers
will not and may require an account with "Administrator" or "Power User" level
rights/privileges.
|
| |
| |
|
|
If you have any comments on how I might improve this information please offer your
suggestions. Thanks, Tom
|
| |
|
|
