RSS Feeds

What is RSS?

RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication. An RSS feed is simply a list of items, each containing a headline, description, and a link to a web page.

Websites provide RSS feeds so you can subscribe to their content and receive updates automatically.

How can I start using RSS feeds?

To view RSS feeds you will need an RSS aggregator, more commonly referred to as a 'reader'. The reader checks the feeds you are subscribed to and displays any new content. This means you do not have to check individual websites for updates - the reader does it for you. Typically a reader will automatically check for new content every hour.

Each feed is treated a bit like a folder in an email program, with a number in brackets next to the name of the feed. This shows how many new stories there are.

Where can I get an RSS reader?

There are hundreds of RSS readers available on the Internet, and the majority are free to download and use. Broadly speaking, there are three types of RSS readers.

Desktop applications:
Desktop RSS readers are fast and easy to use. You install them onto your computer like any other program.

Web-based readers:
Some web sites allow you to log in and check your feeds, a lot like web-based email accounts. Use a web-based RSS reader if you want to be able to check your feeds from any computer in any location.

Web browsers with built in RSS readers:
The most recent web browsers have RSS readers built in. The latest versions of Mozilla Firefox and Apple's Safari both have native support for RSS feeds, as well as version 7 of Microsoft's Internet Explorer.