Do you have a lot of websites you frequently visit to read the latest updates. It can be time-consuming visiting each site in turn and looking for new content. Instead of you doing all the work, why not set up some RSS feeds and have all the new content from all your favourite sites delivered to you.
RSS stands for Real Simple Syndication (one of its meanings) and it allows you to receive constantly updated information from many sources such as websites, blogs, news sites, podcasts and other services. All the new content is collected into one place (a reader), making it quick and easy for you to access the latest offerings from your favourite sites.
To get started, you need to get a reader. There are a number of free readers out there and I can recommend either Bloglines or Google Reader. Once you have signed up for an account, you’re ready to start subscribing to your favourite websites RSS feeds.
Look for the little orange button (like the one in the sidebar to this blog) on the site you want to subscribe to and right-click it. Select ‘Open Link in New Window’ and a window will open filled with what looks like nonsense. Ignore all that. All you need is the URL in the address bar. Copy that.
Now go to your reader and look for “Add”, “Add Subscription” or words to that effect. Click on the link and paste the URL you copied earlier into the box and hit “Subscribe” or similar button.
You’ve now subscribed to your first RSS feed and it should begin to show up in the lefthand panel of your reader. Click on it to see all the new content added to the site since you last visited it. You can simply browse the headlines, or click on them to go to the site and read the full article.
I love RSS and have set up all sorts of feeds. Sites like the ABC have feeds for all its sections – News, TV, Movies, Radio… go mad picking and choosing the feeds you’d like to receive!
Can’t find feeds to subscribe to? Try using feed directories such as Feedster or Feed Directory. Looking for blogs? Then use blog directories like Technorati, Blog Catalog or Bloggernity. Of course, you could always start off by subscribing to this blog and then you’ll always be up to date with its new content!
Want to know more? Come and see me any Tuesday or Wednesday and I’ll give you a one-on-one tutorial in getting started with RSS.
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