If you do much exploring on the Internet, you've
probably seen icons like these sprinkled on the pages you visit:
If you happen to click on one, the result is a page that looks
like a mixture of gibberish and readable text, like this:
Those little orange rectangles represent links to an RSS feed. RSS stands for "Really Simple Syndication" and it's a new way of providing up to the minute news and information on the Internet. In practice it works much like email, but with the following differences:
To an RSS feed you are completely anonymous, as you never need to provide any personal information in order to get it.
Since RSS does not use email, you can never get Spam through an RSS feed.
RSS messages are small, with links to take you to web pages that have the full story. If an item has no interest for you, simply delete it and forget it.
Because RSS is not tied to email in any way, when you change email addresses or Internet service providers, there is no need to make any changes. It just keeps working.
Just as you need an email program to read email, to get RSS information you must have an RSS Newsreader program. The newsreader will collect new information and display it, much like a web browser does with web pages. There are lots of good ones out there, and many of them are free. Here are some that we like:
Internet Explorer 7
This is the latest release of Microsoft's web browser program. It works
with Windows XP and later versions of Windows. When you visit a web page, if
there are feeds available on the page you'll see this notification icon on
the toolbar at the top of the window:
Click the button icon to open
the first feed, or the small black arrow to open a list of all feeds
available on the page. The feed you select will open in the window, and from
there you can subscribe if you choose.
FireFox
RSS capability was added in version 2 of the FireFox browser. You can
get it from this page.
Google RSS Reader
This is a free reader from Google, the search experts. Get it by going to
http://reader.google.com.
NewsGator
If you use Microsoft Outlook for email, then you might want to use NewsGator
for your RSS reader. Don't let the unfortunate choice of name scare you.
This program has no connection with the dreaded Gator spyware! It's
completely free of any sort of spyware, malware or any other undesirables.
NewsGator is very affordable, and you can try it out for free.
Find out more here.
FeedReader
This newsreader is a free download and works well. It's got a
built-in browser for viewing web pages linked to items in the feed. When you click on a
news item, it opens in the bottom pane of the window. Links within the item
also open in the bottom pane, for immediate viewing.
RSS Reader
This is another free download, much like FeedReader. I've tried it, and
found it very easy to use. You can
get it here.
Instructions for using it can be
found here.
We're excited by the prospect of RSS. The first application will be to provide instant notification to subscribers when new issues of our newsletters 11Heaven and DigiTips are published. Here are the addresses to enter into your RSS reader for each newsletter:
For 11Heaven use this button:
For DigiTips use this button:
For Club J use this button:
This feed will provide
New entries in Jim's Views and Rants in the Club J lobby
New projects entered in the Member Project Gallery for the past week
New posts in the Club J forums
Internet Explorer 7
When you visit a web page, if there are feeds available on the page
you'll see this notification icon on the toolbar at the top of the window:
Click the button icon to open
the first feed, or the small black arrow to open a list of all feeds
available on the page. The feed you select will open in the window, and from
there you can subscribe if you choose. To view your subscriptions, click the
Favorites icon (
).
Then click the Feeds button (
).
FireFox
If the page contains feeds, you will see this button on the toolbar:
Click the button to subscribe. You can either use the reader you have set
up, or the Live Bookmark feature of FireFox.
Google Reader
To subscribe to a new feed, just right click on the RSS button for the
feed you want to add and choose
Copy Shortcut (Internet Explorer) or Copy Link Location
(FireFox). Then click the Add Subscription button in Google
Reader. Paste the copied link into the box and click the Add
button.
FeedReader
Right
click the orange button and choose Copy Shortcut. Switch to the
NewsReader window and press the F2 key. A box will open:
Hold down the CTRL key and type V.
The feed address will be copied into the box. Click the Next button and
either accept the name that has been entered, or enter your own. You're done!
NewsGator
Right click on the button and choose
Subscribe in Newsgator from the pop-up menu. You're done!