What is RSS and how do I use it?

Posted by neil on January 03, 2010
General

If you have no idea what RSS is, have no fear, because you are not alone!

I suggest you start off by watching this video by Yaro Starak and Gideon Shalwick from, BecomeABlogger.com.


Definitions

The terms related to the syndication of content can be very confusing, especially if you have not heard of or seen these terms before. Again, have no fear we will take it one step at a time. With the help of our good friend, Wikipedia, when I was learning this concept I took the time to read the following definitions. This is a good place to start. The definitions are, XML, RSS, Web Syndication, and Web Feed.


The Basics

Simply put, RSS (Really Simple Syndication) is used to syndicate or subscribe to the feed of a website. Not only can you use RSS to syndicate or subscribe to a website, in addition, you can use it to subscribe to blogs and any other digital media on the internet, such as audio and video.

Once you have subscribed to the feed of the website, blog, or digital media, you no longer have to return to the original website to receive the latest content.

This is where feed reading software comes into play. You use this software or a website to read all of this latest content.

Syndication is a very significant concept. With Syndication, you no longer have to go back and visit your favourite websites any longer, as you are now able to collect all of the feeds of these websites in the same place.

Think of how amazing this is! You are now able to consume (read all of your favourite content) without jumping all over the internet and visiting different websites.

Therefore, it can be hypothesized that the main reason that Syndication was introduced was to make consuming (reading) information much more efficient for the web browser (you and I).

If you are really confused right now, don’t worry. Some people get this, and some people do not. I am not going to lie, I have a pretty difficult time getting my head around all of this as well. Note here that XML mentioned earlier is the formatting language that software and websites use to distribute content to your feed reader. The important point to take away here is that XML is the coding language that makes syndication work.

Now, let’s take a look at how I use RSS. Hopefully with some practice and examples, it will become more clear to you.


Feed Reading Software

I am currently using Google Reader. To date, I have found Google Reader quite user friendly.


Web Based Feed Reading

There can be some limitations with Feed Reading Software. As a result, people can chose to have a Web Based Feed Reader. The most popular of these is, Bloglines. Because Bloglines is entirely internet based, you can access your syndicated feeds from any computer, anywhere on the internet. Whereas with Feed Reading Software, you are limited in the sense that you may only be able to access your feeds from the computer that installed the software on. Browse our , with a variety of options to suit every taste and budget, available to buy online.

Therefore in my opinion, Web Based Feed Reading such as Bloglines is much better.


Subscribing to a Blog

In continuing with my example, you would be correct in assuming that I subscribe to my own feed, the RSS of this blog.

At the top right hand corner of my blog, you will see an orange RSS feed button.

To subscribe to my feed, you copy and paste that link into feed reading software or a web based reader like Bloglines.

You may also have to name the feed, and if you do, the name of my feed is “First Rental Property.”

The RSS feed link for this site looks like this – http://feeds.feedburner.com/FirstRentalProperty/

Also note that I use a special third party service called, Feedburner. This service adds extra features to my feed output, however most importantly, it provides me with statistics as to how many people are subscribing to my blog.


The Future

RSS is designed to make your internet life easier. As time goes on, it is going to become more popular, and you are going to be seeing a lot more of it. Big companies are fully utilizing the RSS button and syndication currently. The more familiar you become with it, the less frustration you will experience down the road because RSS is here to stay!

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