What is RSS you ask?

RSS stands for “Really Simple Syndication” or “Rich Site Summary”.

What does it do?

It provides another avenue for distribution of content (i.e. articles, images, videos, etc.) for a website.

How does it help me?

It allows you to receive this content without visiting the website and saves you time.  Now you can just “subscribe” to all your favorite websites and be sent their latest content automatically as it is updated.

How do I get it?

Nowadays most sites have the option of subscribing to their RSS feed through email and an RSS reader. Some sites now even allow you to listen and subscribe using a media service or player (e.g. iTunes, ipod).

What’s an RSS reader?

It’s a software application that displays the website’s RSS feed for you to read.

Where can I get an RSS reader?

There are many places to get free RSS readers. Some of the more popular and easiest to use web-based readers are Google Reader and Bloglines.  Some others include FeedDemon (Windows),
NetNewsWire (Mac), and Sage (Firefox browser add-on).  Some popular online services like MyYahoo, iGoogle, PageFlakes, and NetVibes have integrated RSS subscription abilities into their features for easy use as well.

I have an RSS reader, now what?

First and foremost, sign up for our RSS feed via email.  Then, go to one of your other favorite sites, find their RSS feed, and add it to your reader. You should be looking for a button or link on the website that says either “subscribe”, “RSS”, “XML”, or “ATOM” on the site you are visiting. Most of the time the button looks like the orange one in the upper left corner of this page but much smaller.  After finding the link or button, click on it and it will take you to the RSS address for that site. Now copy the url address of the feed (located at the top of your browser) and add it to your reader.  If you’re having trouble finding the RSS feed try searching for it using RSS Micro.

Need more help?

If you’re still not sure about this RSS stuff and need some help setting it up, check out this or watch the videos below.

RSS Tutorial Video

Google Reader Summary Video

In-Depth How To Sign-up and Use Google Reader Video

How To Use Bloglines Video