TechInfo

What is RSS?

RSS (Really Simple Syndication) is an XML-based format for distributing and aggregating Web content (such as news headlines).

The little white-in-orange “XML” or “RSS” button indicates that a web site supports RSS. It usually points to the site’s RSS file. Typically, people use RSS to gather, read, or quickly scan frequently updated headlines from a variety of sources, such as multiple blogs.

RSS Aggregators

There are two ways to read RSS; online aggregators and software that you download and install on your computer. Online aggregators have the advantage that you can check for new blog content at work, at home, and on a mobile device.  Many online aggregators will integrate with your browser so that when you click on a “subscribe” button, the feed will automatically go to the aggregator.  Two of the most popular online aggregators are Google Reader and Bloglines.  To use Google Reader, all you need is a gmail account; Bloglines requires you to create an account.

Aggregator software that runs on your own computer may be a standalone program or integrate into a program that you already use, such as Microsoft Outlook and the Mozilla browser.  Often standalone programs offer more features than the browser aggregators, such as the ability download posts and read them offline, to post a clip of a blog post to your own blog, or star a blog post for later attention.  A few of the more popular free desktop aggregators are:

•    For Windows XP or Vista: FeedDemon and Sharp-Reader.
•    For Mac OS X Vienna and NetNewsWire.

There are several ways to add or subscribe to a RSS feed to an aggregator. The first time you click to subscribe to an RSS feed, your browser will ask you how you want to subscribe to the feed; such as an online aggregator, or the aggregator software that you installed.  You can also subscribe to an RSS feed by right clicking on the orange XML, RSS or subscribe button and selecting “Copy Shortcut.” Enter this link into your aggregator to subscribe to the feed.

For more information, contact Dan Harms at x4042 or Amanda Hollister at x5717