Are You Using RSS?
Friday, July 1st, 2005What in the world is RSS?
RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication. It is a web technology that allows you to subscribe and receive content updates from many of your favorite websites and blogs.
Why would I want to use it?
RSS allows you to be notified when new content appears on a website, blog, or news page. Basically, this means that you can get new content as it is posted to a site without actually having to visit the site. In other words, it is an easy way to manage, customize, and receive information that interests you and it can also save you a great deal of time.
What sites have RSS feeds?
RSS is gaining in popularity. CNN, ESPN, Business Week, The Ohio Univeristy Libraries Newsblog, and this Business Blog all have RSS feeds.
How do I know if my favorite sites have an RSS Feed?
Look for the following:
- An icon that looks like this:
- A button that looks like this:
- A link, usually on the side or the bottom of the page that says “Syndicate this Site” or “Subscribe with RSS”.
- Or any other icon, text, or button that mentions “subscribe”, “RSS”, or “syndicate”.
Great, How do I get Started?
First you will need to get an RSS reader, which will allow you to receive RSS feeds from web sites. There are several options available. If you are just getting started, Bloglines is a great option for those new to RSS. It is a free, web-based RSS reader, so you can read your RSS feeds from any computer with an Internet connection.
If you prefer a desktop reader, there are several different options. A few of them are:
- Sharpreader
A free desktop application that allows you to look at news feeds in an easy-to-use three-pane interface. - FeedDemon
A very sophisticated desktop RSS application. Although not free, you can demo the product for 30 days. - Pluck
Desktop software that operates inside an Internet Explorer window. - Sauce Reader
Another desktop aggregator that uses the three-pane interface. Free for personal use.
I have my reader, so how can I find other interesting RSS feeds?
There are several search engines and directories for RSS feeds. Here are a few:
I'm Chad Boeninger and I write this blog for the students and faculty of Ohio University. I cover business research issues, databases and other resources, current business trends and topics, and much more.