RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication. RSS is a time-saving way for you to receive news and information updates (often called "RSS feeds", "news feeds" or simply "feeds") from your favorite Web sites and blogs.
Typically RSS feeds consist of headlines and short summaries of new articles, blog entries or search results, though some Web sites and blogs offer the full text of articles or blog entries as feeds.
How Does RSS Work?
Basically, when a new article is posted or a change made to a webpage, RSS keeps track of the changes and delivers them to you. RSS feeds are most often attached to text, images, podcasts and video, but they can be used with any document (word processing and spreadsheets) that has content that changes.
Why Use RSS?
By using RSS you can stay on top of the news and information you need without using your e-mail system and without repeatedly checking multiple Web sites to see if they have been updated. RSS simplifies the way you stay informed and helps you take control of overloaded email inboxes.
How Do I Use RSS?
To view RSS feeds, you need an RSS reader (also called an aggregator), which trolls RSS feeds across the Web to regularly update content.
RSS in Plain English Length: 03:52 Produced by:Common Craft
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, web-based readers, all which compile and update feeds, all which allow anonymous access to their feeds from any computer with Internet access. For heavier users, there are desktop, application-based readers that offer more features.
Accessing a feed reader
If you click on one of the orange buttons on the ITS home page, you will either see the content of our feed, or be asked to download a file. Don't be alarmed -- most browsers are not set up to read XML - you need a feed reader to receive and read RSS feeds.
The two most common ways to gain access to a feed reader are to download feed-reader software to your desktop or to register with a free Web-based feed reader such as Yahoo.com, Bloglines.com or Newsgator.com. With all these feed readers you receive all your feeds in one place. The advantage of the Web-based feed readers is that you can access your feeds from any computer.
Using Web-based feed readers
With the Web-based feed readers, the process of signing up for feeds can be quite simple. After you've registered with the feed reader Web site, you enter the URL of the feed you wish to receive into the feed reader, and a few clicks later you ready to receive and read feeds.
As an example, go to www.bloglines.com. Complete the simple registration process and then click on the My Feeds tab. Then click on the "add" link on the left. On the right you'll be presented with a space for the Web site or feed URL. If you want to receive our ITS news feed enter http://www.coastal.edu/its/rssfeed_new.php. Bloglines then lists our feed. Click subscribe and the feed will then be listed on the left. If you want to receive our ITS Alerts feed, enter http://www.coastal.edu/its/rssfeed.php and follow the same steps as for the news. Come back to Bloglines whenever you want to check for updates.
Desktop feed readers
The following is a partial list of common desktop feed readers. With these, you will need to download and install software to read your feeds.
You can access RSS feeds on mobiles device and many cell phones or via e-mail as well as on a computer.
Having Trouble Viewing ITS Feeds?
The latest browsers are compatible with RSS feeds; however, Internet Explorer 6.0 and earlier are not compatible. It is recommended that you upgrade to Internet Explorer 7.
RSS Feeds
