RSS = Really Simple Syndication = Rich Site Summary

Not too long ago you would have to check for any updates in a blog or a favorite site.

Here is the old way:

1. Bookmark a website to your browser’s Favorites list.
2. Days later (maybe weeks or months) you check the recent updates of your favorite website or blog.

…NOW…

If a blog or a favorite site is updated it comes to you and it is displayed in one place.

Here is the new way:

1. Add the website’s feed to your feed reader. (Also called an RSS reader, feed reader, aggregator, newsreaders or news aggregator.)
2. This reader monitors your chosen feeds for updates. If an update is detected, the reader shows you what was added or changed in your favorite site.

But how do you do it?

It is very simple.  

First, you need to sign up for a reader.   Here are a few:

www.google.com/reader
www.bloglines.com
www.feedreader.com

Second, you need to set up a connection between the reader and your favorite sites. It is called subscribing.

Now, go to a site that supports RSS. Look for the icon that indicates a link to a RSS file. There are two ways to subscribe. One is to enter the URL of the RSS feed into your reader. The other is to follow a subscribe link from a web page; Every reader has a different way of doing this… so, you have to follow the instructions. Now, new posts from your favorite site will arrive to your reader.

Why should you make a feed available?
Your viewers will thank you because it allows them to see your site updates rather than visit each of their favorite sites individually. For anyone that reads dozens of pages a reader is a necessity. RSS readers are set up to check periodically for new items in the feeds you are subscibed to, commonly once every hour. In other words, the news comes to you, rather than you having to go to the news. This saves a tremendous amount of time.

 Are you ready to save time?

…Victoria…
www.pacificdesigners.com