Frequently Asked Questions about RSS
What kind of information can I get?
All kinds. Right now, news is the most common type of information being published with RSS. However, people are coming up with creative uses for RSS all the time. Many websites are using RSS to replace e-mail newsletters. Some sites are using it to publish job listings or real estate listings. Others are using it to share calendars of meetings or events. Amazon.com is using RSS to send lists of featured specials to its customers' desktops and websites. The possibilities are endless!
So how does it work?
Simply put, RSS is a type of data file, or "feed," that contains a list of headlines and a link to the full story on the publisher's website. Using RSS is as easy as 1-2-3:
1. Get a newsreader
The program that you use to retrieve RSS feeds and display them is called a newsreader. Most newsreaders need to be downloaded to your computer, but if that is not an option, there are a few that can be accessed using your browser (without downloading anything to your computer). Some newsreaders are free; others charge a small fee but usually offer more features.
2. Get the feeds
Many websites now distribute information using RSS, and more offer the feature every day. On sites that do use RSS, you will generally see either an orange logo like this or a link that says something like "Syndicate This Site (XML)", "RSS", or "XML."
No matter how the site marks their RSS feed, the process for subscribing to it is similar. All newsreaders allow you to subscribe by copying the link* from your browser and pasting it into the newsreader. Some RSS newsreaders automatically detect the feed when you click on the link, making subscribing even easier! Check your newsreader's help guide for full details on the best way to subscribe using that newsreader.
* (How to copy a link: In many browsers, you can copy a link by right-clicking on the link and selecting "copy shortcut" or "copy target address" from the menu that pops up near your cursor. In browsers that do not offer that feature, click the link, select the text that appears in your browser's address bar, and select "copy" from the Edit menu.)
3. Read
After you subscribe to a feed, your newsreader will automatically download the current headlines from that website. The newsreader then displays each headline in a format similar to an e-mail. To view the full story on the site, just click on the link in the summary. Newsreaders will periodically download new headlines as they are available, and most newsreaders even remember which headlines you've read!
Is RSS private?
RSS is completely under your control. You tell the newsreader which feeds you want by subscribing to those feeds; no one can add subscriptions to your newsreader for you. And no information is passed from your newsreader to the website that provides the feed, not even an e-mail address.
What about spam?
RSS is also spam-proof. Because you share no information with the publisher and because you control which feeds are delivered to your newsreader, no one can send you information you do not want.
How do I get started?
One of the most complete resources for RSS is Lockergnome's RSS Resource (http://rss.lockergnome.com). There you will find more information about RSS and how to use it, a current list of RSS newsreaders, and a list of feeds to get you started. Check out their QuickStart Guide for quick and easy instructions on how to begin.
Check out Syndic8.com n they have one of the largest directories of RSS feeds from all over the Internet.
Try http://www.rssreader.com - Their RSS Reader is free to download and is guaranteed adware and spyware free.