What is RSS?

RSS is a term that you may have encountered while surfing the web. If you haven’t come across the term, you may have noticed the RSS icon feed icon on some of your favourite sites.

RSS is an acronym that stands for Really Simple Syndication. It is a method of delivering information containing short descriptions of web content together with a link to the full version of the content. It is a way for website owners to notify readers of new content on their sites and a way for web-surfers to more easily keep up-to-date with new content on their favourite sites.

The whole process is done using RSS files. Web sites publish these RSS files, which are essentially summaries of what is new on their website. You can see when a website publishes an RSS file by looking for icons like the one one above (often in different colours).

Collecting and Viewing RSS files

Collecting and viewing RSS files is easy. All you need is a RSS Reader (often called an RSS Aggregator). Using this RSS Reader, you can keep yourself updated on any number of your favourite sites in the one place. So for example, instead of having to visit 20 different sites to see what new content they have added, you can simply fire up your RSS reader and view the new content from these sites all in the one place. RSS Readers are essentially simplified web-browsers.

There are two basic types of RSS Reader:

  1. Desktop-based RSS readers – these readers are downloaded and installed like software on your computer. You launch them like you would launch any other program on your computer. They then connect to the internet and aggregate the RSS files you have indicated.
  2. Web-based RSS readers - these readers are a bit like online email programs like gmail, hotmail or yahoo mail. All you need is your web browser and a username and password and you can access your personalized RSS reader from any computer with a web browser and internet connection.

Getting Started

The best way to get started with RSS is to get yourself an RSS reader, add a few RSS files and get into the habit of checking them regularly. Most RSS readers (both desktop-based and web-based) come pre-loaded with feeds to help you get used to how they work. Checking your RSS reader regularly is like reading a daily newspaper – you need to set some time aside to read it regularly.

People have different opinions as to whether you should use a web-based or desktop-based RSS reader. It ultimately comes down to personal preference and trying a few out.

Web-Based Readers

Desktop-Based Readers