About RSS Feeds
What is an RSS or XML feed?
'RSS' stands for Really Simple Syndication, which has recently become a standard for publishing updates to web content. In the past, you had to regularly visit a website in order to find updated content. With RSS (also called XML) feeds, you can instead subscribe to a feed, and you are alerted when the content is updated.
How do I utilize RSS?
The easiest way to utilize RSS feeds is through your web browser. Most web browsers offer the option to subscribe to feeds and then read them through the web browser. Here are several tutorials on how to use RSS feeds with your web browser:
Please note that Internet Explorer 6.0, or earlier versions of Internet Explorer, do not natively include support for RSS feeds.
Basically, you will want to browse to our site and click on the RSS link at the bottom of our page. This will allow you to subscribe to the feed in the manner appropriate to your web browser. From there, you can surf the feeds for regular content updates.
How else might I read RSS?
There are two different ways you can read RSS feeds. If you want to collect and browse feeds you have many choices, but there are two primary categories of feed reading applications: installable desktop programs and online services:
- I want to use a desktop program.
There are many desktop applications for Windows and Mac OS system users, but two favorites are FeedDemon (Windows) and NetNewsWire (Mac OS X). Both require a small purchase price but are easy to use and ship with dozens of feeds pre-loaded so you can explore syndication right away. Also, programs like Microsoft Office Outlook and other e-mail clients allow you to browse feeds right through your e-mail.
- I want to use a web-based service.
Web-based services have the benefit of being available to you everywhere. The most common applications are NewsGator, Bloglines, and My Yahoo. In addition, web browsers such as Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox provide ways to keep track of RSS feed when browsing. Look for the RSS icon to appear on specific websites or pages that have RSS feeds available.
How do I subscribe to an RSS feed?
Depending on the channel you choose, the exact process will differ. Most programs, though, will ask you to copy and paste the URL to subscribe. If you're using a web browser, often you can just click on the RSS icon. An example of this icon can be found at the bottom of this page, which can also subscribe you to our feed.
