What is RSS?
RSS (which stands for "Really Simple Syndication") is an Internet format for distributing frequently updated content. RSS was initially used by online news services to provide up to date information and news summaries over the Internet. The RSS format allowed the news content to be easily published in a very quick manner. Today, the RSS standard has evolved into a popular way to distribute all types of up-to-date information, including blog entries, online articles, or podcasts. RSS is essentially a way to subscribe to content from a website meaning that you don't have to visit the site constantly to look for updates.
What is a Feed?
A “Feed” or “Web Feed” is a common name for an RSS document, which contains either a summary of content from an associated web site or the full text. Feeds can be blog postings, online news articles, or audio/video podcasts. Content providers produce feeds, and are then syndicated (delivered over the Internet using RSS) to users who subscribeto the feed.
What is a Feed Reader?
To view RSS feeds, you need a feedreader, also called an aggregator, which searches RSS feeds across the Web to regularly update content. All are pretty easy to use, offering users the chance to read, e-mail, save, or clip content with a click of the mouse. There are many free online aggregators such as Google Reader, Bloglines, and NewsGator, all which compile and update feeds. The latest versions of popular web browsers such as Internet Explorer, Firefox and Safari, also incorporate RSS feeds directly into their bookmark programs.
What are these symbols?
How do you subscribe to RSS Feeds?
Most Web sites that offer RSS Feeds often use the standard RSS symbol as seen above, for one-click subscription to your default reader. Simply clicking on the RSS icon initiates the subscription process to the RSS Feed. Your web browser will often ask what program you wish to use to read the feed. For most people using their default browser is the simplest way to start reading feeds. Google Reader is also a very easy to use Web aggregator; however you first need to set up a free account. Once the subscription process is competed, the reader will automatically check for and download any updated content that it finds. Sometimes there will be a chicklet for your particular reader right on the web page that will take you to the appropriate subscription page.
Why should you use RSS?
The technology of RSS Feeds has made it really easy to keep track of a large number of your favorite Web sites or Blogs, without having to remember to check each site manually or clutter your email Inbox. You can now streamline your online experience by subscribing to specific content feeds and aggregating this information in one place to be read when you're ready.
Anyone who has been frustrated at the time it takes to find what you want on the Internet can appreciate the timesaving feature of RSS. If there are web pages you visit daily or regularly– let’s say you always read the front page of The New York Times and your best friend’s weblog – RSS eliminates the need to check for updates. Every time something changes on the page, it comes to you. RSS always shows the most-recent changes.
Who publishes RSS Feeds?
Most online news and information sites such as USATODAY.com, BBC News Headlines, CNET, and Amazon.com all publish RSS feeds of breaking news, blogs and podcasts. Part of the popularity of Blogs is that the software that creates them have RSS capability, which allows friends and other people to subscribe and share content. Apple, throughits iTunes Music Store, offers tens of thousands of audio and video podcasts for download, each of which is powered by an RSS Feed.
Why use RSS on my Website?
RSS can significantly increase website traffic. Consumers feel less threatened using RSS than traditional mail based or other subscription models. With RSS, the end-user has complete control over the communication and the sender never knows the identity of the subscriber. When subscribing to a feed, users can obtain content without giving away their personal information and do not disclose their email address, so they are not increasing their exposure to threats associated with email: spam, viruses, phishing, and identity theft. Subscribers and can cease a subscription at any time. If users want to stop receiving news, they do not have to send an "unsubscribe" request; users can simply remove the feed from their aggregator.
How can I publish my own Feeds?
If you have a Web site, Blog, audio/video content or even photos, you can offer a feed of your content as an option. If you are using a popular blogging platform or publishing tool like TypePad, Wordpress or Blogger, you likely publish a feed automatically. Even other,non-blogging sites like social photo-sharing service Flickr offer feeds of content you produce that others can retrieve. There are also tools on the market that can help transform traditional web content into the right format for distribution.
Is RSS a Substitute for E-Mail?
No. E-mail is a two-way communication channel. RSS merely keeps content current. However, they both work together, and you can receive RSS content through e-mail.
Can I access RSS only with a computer?
You can access RSS feeds on mobile devices and many cell phones or via e-mail as well as on a computer.
What is a Post?
In your web reader, each feed shows new articles, or posts, in a list. The reader allows you to read the article on its original page, mark the article as read, rate it, e-mail or IM it to friends or clip it for future reference in a folder.
What is a Podcast?
Podcasts are digital files recorded for downloading through RSS feeds for playback. RSS allows users to download podcasts to computers or mobile devices for playback at any time. See our Podcast FAQ for more information).