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.
• Access your feeds from any computer or mobile device with a web-based feed reader.

Using RSS Feeds

In order to read and organize your RSS feeds, you'll need to set up a feed reader. There are many feed readers to choose from, and which will work best for you depends on which device, browser, or operating system you use most.

The RSS Compendium lists many feed readers broken down by operating system.

A few of the most popular feed readers:

Web-based:

• Google Reader
• NetVibes

Desktop-based:

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

Setting Up RSS Readers & Adding Feeds

Google Reader

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

• Using Google Reader (3.5 min)

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
   (works with any browser)
   -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
   (works only with the Firefox browser - see below for instructions for other browsers)
   -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.
   
6. The feed will now show up in your reader.

 

Netvibes

1. Getting started:
   • Go to www.netvibes.com.
   • Click on Sign up now, it's free.
   • Complete the registration form. An account activation e-mail will be sent you containing an activation link to complete your registration.
   • Open the email; click on “confirm my email address” to be taken to your new Netvibes page.
2. Adding Feeds—Method 1: from within Netvibes
   
(works with any browser)
• Click on the green Add content button (top left of your Netvibes screen).
• In the Add a Feed box, enter the URL or RSS/Atom feed address for the site you wish to add.
  • To find the RSS or Atom feed address on a website, check your browser’s address bar for an RSS/Atom/XML logo. Right-click the logo and copy the link address. Paste the link address into the Add a Feed box.
    
3. Adding Feeds—Method 2: from another website, using a Netvibes button
   • Many popular websites and blogs already display a Netvibes button.
   • If you see this button, click it and an RSS feed from the website will automatically be added to your Netvibes page.
4. Adding feeds—Method 3: from another website, using an RSS icon
   • Open a separate browser window or tab and go to a website whose content updates you want to receive.
   • You may see an icon like this on the website, or you may see this icon in your browser's address bar.
   • Click on the icon to subscribe to an RSS feed from this website.
   • The first time you do this, you will likely get a screen that asks you what reader you want to use. Select Netvibes.
   • Depending on your browser, you may be able to set Netvibes as your default RSS reader.
     

In addition to acting as a feed reader, Netvibes is a personalized web portal, offering
extensive customization options; you can easily add modules to your Netvibes page,
including local weather forecasts, a calendar, bookmarks, notes, to-do lists, email, photos, chat widgets and many others.

 

Internet Explorer

Internet Explorer has a built in RSS feed reader and will add RSS feeds to Favorites automatically when you click on a .

To use Google Reader with Internet Explorer, you can:

1. Add feeds using Google Reader's internal subscription bar, or
2. Add the feed to IE's internal feed reader (Favorites), then copy the .xml feed address into the Google Reader subscription bar, or
3. Download the Google Toolbar to configure IE to work with Google Reader.

 

Safari

Safari has a built in RSS feed reader and will add RSS feeds to Bookmarks automatically when you click on a .

To use Google Reader with Safari, you can:

1. Add feeds using Google Reader's internal subscription bar, or
2. Add the feed to Safari's internal feed reader (Bookmarks), then copy the .xml feed address into the Google Reader subscription bar.

 

Google Chrome

To use Google Reader with Chrome, you can:

1. Add feeds using Google Reader's internal subscription bar, or
2. Click on the RSS feed icon, which will open the feed in a new browser window, then copy the .xml feed address into the Google Reader subscription bar.