Introduction to RSS

What is RSS?

RSS (Really Simple Syndication) is a technology that delivers frequently-updated content on the web. Websites that change often, such as article databases, news sites, and blogs, almost always have an RSS feed available, which brings the updated information to you. Subscribe to the RSS feeds of sites that you visit frequently using an RSS feed reader, a web or desktop application that allows you to view all of your RSS feeds in one, convenient location.

Look for these common icons that indicate an RSS feed is available:

To learn more about RSS feeds and feed readers, see this excellent 3.5-minute video from Common Craft: RSS Feeds in Plain English.

Benefits of RSS Feeds and Feed Readers

• Stay informed by receiving the newest content from your chosen websites.
• Save time by viewing updates in one location, rather than visiting each site individually.
• Easily access the original blog post, article, or news item: each item in the reader links directly to that item on the source website.
• Free your email inbox from notifications and newsletters; with RSS feeds you view only the items that you choose to view, when it's convenient for you.

Using RSS Feeds

In order to read and organize your RSS feeds, you'll need to set up a feed reader. We give instructions below for setting up and using a popular web-based feed reader called Bloglines, but there are many more to choose from that operate either from the web or from your desktop. A few are listed here; many more are listed at the RSS compendium.

Web-based feed readers:

• Bloglines
• Google Reader
• Newsgator Online

Desktop-based feed readers:

• Feed Demon  (Windows)
• Mozilla Thunderbird  (Mac or Windows)
• NetNewsWire  (Mac)

This short movie will help you get started with Bloglines, or follow the step-by-step instructions below:

• Adding an RSS Feed to Bloglines (2m:14ss)

Setting Up RSS Readers & Adding Feeds

Bloglines

1. Go to www.bloglines.com and set up a free account. After completing the registration, you'll need to authenticate your account via an automated message sent to your email.
2. Log in to Bloglines with your new account.
3. Click on the "Feeds" tab in the top navigation bar.
4. Click the "Add" link in the upper left-hand corner.
5. On the "Subscribe" page, paste the URL for the RSS feed to which you want to subscribe.
6. Click the "Subscribe" button.
7. The following page displays settings for the feed. Adjust these according to your preferences and click "Subscribe" once more.
8. Repeat to add more feeds to your feed reader.

Google Reader

1. If you don't already have a Google account, set up a free account at www.google.com.
   -Click on Sign in, then Create an account now
   -After completing the registration, you'll need to authenticate your account via an automated message sent to your email.
2. If you have a Google account, go to www.google.com and sign in.
3. At the top of the Google home page, click More and the select Reader from the options that appear.
4. Adding feeds—Method 1: from within Google Reader
   -At the top, left of the screen, click on Add a subscription.
   -From here you can either paste the URL for a site that you already know, or search for a topic or website: try searching "New York Times Science".
   -When you find a site you are interested in, click Subscribe
5. Adding feeds—Method 2: from within another website
   -Open a separate browser window or tab and go to a website whose content updates you want to receive.
   • As an example, try grants.gov
   • In the top, right corner, click on the RSS link, identified with
   • Scroll down to the section Subscribe to RSS Feeds
   -Click on the link to an RSS feed.
   -Your first time, you will likely get a screen that asks you what reader you want to use. Select Google Reader.
   -Thereafter, you will see a Google page that offers Add to Google homepage and Add to Google Reader. Select Add to Google Reader.
   -If neither of the above pages appears and you see either an address ending with .xml or unintelligible code in your browser, copy the address in your browser's address bar and follow directions in step 4.
6. The feed will now show up in your reader.