RSS Frequently Asked Questions

Really Simple Syndication is a way to share ("syndicate") frequently updated content with other websites, desktop clients, and browser plug-ins that gather ("aggregate") RSS files ("feeds") so that you can select and read them at your convenience.

RSS is a fast and easy way to read content from websites you visit on a regular basis.
Once you’ve subscribed to a website’s RSS “feed,” you don’t have to check to see when it’s been updated — it will be delivered to you automatically.
RSS is ideal for tracking information that’s updated frequently. People are finding new uses for it all the time, but it’s popular for news headlines, event calendars, and weblog entries.

You may access RSS feeds by logging on to a web site where you have an account or by using a software program that you install on your computer.
Free websites where you can set up an account to track your RSS feeds include My Yahoo!, Bloglines, NewsGator, and Google Reader.
Free software that you can download and install on your computer include Pluck and Lektora. The University currently does not offer technical support for any of these programs.
National Public Radio has an excellent guide to RSS readers.

The first step is to determine if it offers a feed. Look for a small orange graphic, similar to these: The graphic will link to the site’s RSS feed.
How you actually sign up for a website’s feed depends on the program or website you’re using. Commonly, you click the link to a feed, copy the link's URL (web address) from your browser's address bar, and paste it into an "add feed" textbox in your feed reader. Of course, you must be logged in to your feed reader service or software before you can add the new feed.
For some software programs, such as NewsGator’s plug-in for Outlook, simply select a website’s RSS feed symbol to automatically subscribe.
If you’re using the Firefox web browser, you can access your RSS feeds through its “Live Bookmarks” function.
To preview or subscribe to an RSS feed in Internet Explorer 7 or Firefox 2.0, click the feed link. These browsers have built-in feed readers that convert the feed's XML source file into readable HTML. No other web service or software is needed.

HubMed - Allows you to create RSS feeds for keyword searches in the PubMed database
Amazon Daily Blog - Articles by Amazon.com's editors on books, media and other topics
Free Government Information - Blog that tracks news and advocates free government information
3Hive - Weblog that tracks free, full-length MP3s
Drawn! - “A multi-author blog devoted to illustration, art, cartooning and drawing. Its purpose is to inspire creativity by sharing links and resources.”
Make Zine - “…digital projects, hardware hacks, and D.I.Y. inspiration”
National Public Radio RSS Feeds - Feeds for NPR programs and current news stories