March 7th, 2006 by James Omdahl
I have two confessions:
- I am really into blogging.
- I often forget that most everyone else on the planet is not
So, I thought (actually my boss suggested) that I take a second to talk about RSS feeds and how to use them.
Most blogs allow you to subscribe to an RSS feed. RSS or “Real Simple Syndication” is basically an XML format that allows a Web site to share, or syndicate, content and headlines. For example, a news Web site could use RSS feeds from the BBC, Associated Press, and other news sources to publish a Web site that combines all of the feeds into one easy-to-read Web page.
In the blogging world, RSS feeds are an easy way for blog readers to stay connected to multiple Web sites by using one interface, rather than having to visit multiple Web sites.
RSS feeds can be read by a program or Web application called an RSS feed reader. I use a Web application called NewsGator to view my RSS feeds. In my NewsGator account, I can stay connected to the newest content on multiple blogs, news sites, etc. by going to one place.
This makes reading blogs a much more convenient thing to do.
To subscribe to a blogs feed, you first have to get a feed reader. Once again, I use NewsGator (the version I use is the free one).
Once you have gotten an RSS feed reader, you need to find out where you can add a new feed. This is different for all feed readers, so find it on your own.
Once you have found out where to add a feed, get the sites RSS URL. To find this, simply look around the navigation on the site. On this site, for example, you can see it is on the right hand side, near the bottom of the navigation (where it says “Subscribe to this blogs feed“).
When you click on this, you will see what looks like a big jumble; that is the XML RSS feed reader. Once you are at that page, copy the URL and paste it into your feed reader. Then hit “add,” “submit” or whatever option youre given.
Viola! You are now subscribed to your first blog feed! Congrats.
By using an RSS feed reader, you will be able to get the true value out of reading blogs. Give it a shot, and let me know if you need help getting it set up.
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