More About RSS Feeds & Podcasting
What is RSS?
Really Simple Syndication (RSS) is an XML-based format for distributing content. Put simply, it allows you to subscribe to content on dozens of websites and have it delivered directly to you on one page, via your RSS feed reader.
What is podcasting?
This is the delivery of online audio files via an RSS feed. These files allow you listen to a recording on your computer or easily download it to an mp3 player for listening later.
What is a feed reader?
To read RSS feeds, you need a software program called a feed reader, also known as a newsreader or an aggregator. This reader regularly collects content from various websites and provides it to you in a simple form, similar to your email inbox.
There are many newsreaders available in a variety of formats. Some can be accessed using a web browser, others are downloadable applications. All allow you to display and add the RSS feeds you want.
How do I start receiving RSS feeds?
Set up a feed reader
You need to either install a feed reader on your computer or choose to use one of the web-based feed reader services. Full instructions on how to set up either kind of feed reader can be found on individual feed reader websites. Some commonly used feed readers include:
Windows
MAC
Web
Cross-platform
Some feed readers cater for those with vision impairment and other disabilities:
Subscribe to feeds
You can add feeds to your reader by:
- Right-clicking (or Ctrl click for Mac users) on the XML button
- Copying the URL of the page that is then displayed in your web browser's Address section (the page will probably contain a lot of code, but you can ignore this)
- Pasting the URL into your feed reader.
Alternatively, you can click on the XML icon and copy the URL from the location window in your browser into your feed reader.
The RSS reader will then regularly monitor the page you have chosen for updates.
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