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Do you visit more than one website? Keep tabs on several different blogs to see if anything new has been posted? Do you like having all your favorite blogs/wikis/news show up in one single interface? If you answered yes to any of these then you will definitely like what RSS can do for you.

What is RSS? Usually, it's known as "Rich Site Summary," though even those simple words can't convey what it can do. RSS by itself is just a bunch of code and, to the naked eye, nothing to make your heart flutter. At its core, RSS provides a way for web site content--be that blog posts, news as they happen, continually updated online content--to be syndicated, or published, as a continued stream as it happens.

Example of a RSS feed:

RSS feed

So how do you use RSS? By using a news reader! That’s where the magic starts! A news reader (also called aggregators and feed readers) configures this newly updated stream of code into a flesh and font and readable website.

How a news reader renders that code:

bloglines

So we can see that RSS is really just a way to feed newly updated bits of code into a readable format using a news reader. You can subscribe to many different RSS feeds. If you see these icons on a website/blog/wiki/etc:

RSS rss2

then that means that website has RSS feeds available that you can subscribe to using your news reader.

There are free and paid news readers available, with leading online news readers available via Google Reader and Bloglines.

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Sign up for a news reader account using Google Reader (used in the video above) or Bloglines.
If you don’t want to use Google or Bloglines, have a look at other types of readers available (free, paid, desktop based, RSS via your e-mail, etc.) at this website: Feed Readers via DMOZ (Open Directory Project)
Once you have your reader ready, subscribe to this blog: http://www.loc.gov/blog/
You can find other library-related blogs at the LIS (Library and Information Science) Wiki.

Once you subscribe to several websites you will only have to visit your particular reader to see if any new content has been published. It's that simple. What's even better is that most of the advertising prevalent in a lot of blogs and websites is absent if you read the post using your news reader. Truly, a cool thing.

Last updated: September 22, 2008 - 4:11pm by memo

RSS

Comment by: Anonymous; October 6, 2008 - 3:16pm

Well this was something that I had never tried before. But the only thing is that the blogs that I read don't have a RSS feed available.... But I learned about it so that has to count for something right? :)

Comment by: memo; October 7, 2008 - 9:29pm

Glad you tried! Actually, blogs are the ones that popularized the use of RSS feeds because of the frequency of posts. Depending on the browser that you use (I use Firefox) one of the orange RSS icons should be present in the URL address bar or on the toolbar, letting you know that blog has an RSS feed. If not, putting the name of the blog into your news reader and adding it (or subscribing to it) should start picking up the feeds. Here are a couple of pictures that may help: http://z.about.com/d/windows/1/5/I/B/-/-/subscribe-rss-feed.png and http://www.awpwriter.org/updates/FirefoxExample3.png. Cheers, Memo

Don't have to be that tuned in sometimes

Comment by: Diane (not verified); October 10, 2008 - 3:09pm

I think RSS feeds are great for updating professional information about topics, say you are following the development of a scientific interest and want to monitor the NASA feed for status of a space exploration vehicle. The sites I check are fairly unchanged just the categories within them may be updated so if I have the time to check them I can find the info. quickly by clicking the link in my history list then checking the topic inside the site. Two clicks to get there and less distraction for my desktop interface. I'll let you know if I change my mind and just have to have an RSS feed implant. I think a bit of information overload during elections may may be slowing down my active participation here :-)! Lately no news is better news than what's available...

Have you tried Twitter

Comment by: memo; October 15, 2008 - 2:37pm

Diane, if you're interested in single-streaming, or one feed-like site, for NASA you might try a Twitter http://www.twitter.com account and "follow" (subscribe) to the tweets of MarsPhoenix robot's tweets or the RSS feed at the bottom of the page. It's fascinating stuff!

My Problem

Comment by: Anonymous (not verified); October 15, 2008 - 9:07pm

I hadn't heard of having blogs sent to me via readers either... Of course, I don't read blogs on a regular basis--in fact, it's a rare thing for me to find time to read a blog at all--so I suppose I don't need to subscribe. (Unless, of course, I get trapped indoors and somehow find myself addicted to reading blogs.) Hrmmm. Why do I doubt this will happen?

RSS Feeds

Comment by: Anonymous; October 7, 2008 - 8:44am

Signed up for the news reader account. I do like the fact there isn't advertising. I've already used it a few times, and can see myself using it more often.

Glad to hear it

Comment by: memo; October 7, 2008 - 9:34pm

I love getting my news without annoying pop-ups, scrolling adverts, or pesky ad floaters.

RSS Feeds

Comment by: jeri (not verified); October 7, 2008 - 5:16pm

Help, I am so confused! I went to sign up for the Google Reader and am not sure what to do? Lost some where in RSS Feeds World. Thankyou, Jeri

Let's check out another video!

Comment by: memo; October 7, 2008 - 9:32pm

Jeri - Check out Commoncraft.com for a helpful video on how to use and add RSS feeds to your Google Reader: http://www.commoncraft.com/reader.

RSS feeds

Comment by: amber (not verified); October 9, 2008 - 2:25pm

I hadn't really thought about using RSS feeds for getting my news, but that will be very helpful. I signed up for the news sites I would otherwise have to visit to see what's new.

rss

Comment by: anette (not verified); October 10, 2008 - 11:20am

not interested thank you

Comment by: memo; October 13, 2008 - 11:17am

Thanks for playing!

Using RSS feeds

Comment by: Robin (not verified); October 10, 2008 - 11:29am

I signed up for Google Reader and added some of the blogs and other sites I frequent to my account. I can see how going to one site to check for updates would be good. My problem is that I'm in the habit of going to my tags on my Delicious account and checking things that way. I'll have to try and incorporate Google Reader into my routine.

Hi Robin

Comment by: memo; October 13, 2008 - 11:16am

Delicious does provide RSS feeds for individual tags. I found my RSS button on my browser (Firefox) light up when I was looking up specific tags, or you can find the RSS feed for the tag at the bottom of the page. Log in to Delicious and experiment copying the URL for the tag in question, or look for the RSS icon at the bottom of the page.

subscribing

Comment by: Joleen (not verified); October 13, 2008 - 9:49am

I found this real easy to set up. I am excited about it. I like the news feature and being able to choose which ones you want. However there are some sites that I would like to add but the orange box that you would click on is gray and will not let my use it. My facebook page is doing this also. I can't find any of the other buttons they showed on the video either. Has anyone else ran up against this?

Copy/paste

Comment by: memo; October 13, 2008 - 11:21am

Hi Joleen, You might try just copying the URL of the website you like and paste it to the "Add subscription" link in Google Reader. The "Discover" link next to the subscribe box is a great way to get a good list of interesting websites you can subscribe to. Good luck!

RSS

Comment by: Anonymous (not verified); October 13, 2008 - 11:34am

Surprise! not as difficult as it sounded. Just time consuming to learn. Thanks

RSS feeds

Comment by: Robert (not verified); October 13, 2008 - 12:45pm

I've wondering about using .opml files as a finding aid. Or an outreach tool for faculty. (Or other patrons) For example, you could create .opml subject feed bundles (and slip in the library's own feed)as either a "starter" or a "booster" for patrons who would benefit from access to feeds but who may need help finding quality feeds and setting them up. You could have a news bundle that includes local, national, and international feeds. An active readers bundle for your book group that includes blogs like readersread as well as bestseller lists and book news feeds from AP, Reuter's etc. You could even have a "menu" where people could pick the bundles that interest them.

Interesting...

Comment by: memo; October 14, 2008 - 12:01pm

I haven't played with .opml files so I'd be interested (and others as well) to see if you can set up such a finding aid. Good luck!

Love RSS...

Comment by: Sara Pemberton (not verified); October 14, 2008 - 11:36am

I love having one place for all updates. To avoid overload, I have one "Must Read" category that I check nearly every day, and the rest fall into topic-based categories. Those I check only when I've got some free time. That way, the "Unread Items" count doesn't drive me batty!

Great strategy!

Comment by: memo; October 15, 2008 - 8:49am

I like using folders (library, graphic design, web technologies, etc.) to categorize my feeds. Helps me keep them organized and can pick the one folder topic I feel like reading at the moment.

RSS feeds

Comment by: JaNeil (not verified); October 14, 2008 - 1:02pm

I feel like someone learning a new language - totally in a new realm. I've subscribed to a reader and RSS feeds. I think I am ready?

Yes. Si. Da.

Comment by: memo; October 15, 2008 - 8:40am

JaNeil - The concept is still the same: getting the content come to you. You're ready!

RSS feeds

Comment by: Barbara (not verified); October 14, 2008 - 3:28pm

I just listened and read again for the second time. I think I understand it better.....I did get signed up on google reader and with the library of congress. Looks very interesting.... see you again soon

did it

Comment by: mert (not verified); October 14, 2008 - 4:27pm

It was pretty easy to do and follow. I guess you learn something new everyday!

RSS Feeds

Comment by: Miranda (not verified); October 14, 2008 - 5:50pm

I just don't think I would have a use for this at this point in my life. I don't follow any feeds so this isn't something I would want to use right now, but maybe at some point I would want to use it. It does sound like it is great for all those who follow a lot of sites. I will keep it in mind for when I get to that point.

Way to go!

Comment by: Marie (not verified); October 14, 2008 - 7:08pm

Hey, Mert, my grandma always said you had to learn one new thing a day to not get stagnant so I guess you're on your way! I learned also. Now, if I can add the sites I want to see regularly I will be a happy camper!

Marie, et al

Comment by: memo; October 15, 2008 - 8:46am

Glad to see you trying and playing with Google Reader. The folks at Commoncraft have this other video you may find helpful: Google Reader in Plain English: http://www.commoncraft.com/reader

RSS

Comment by: Leslie (not verified); October 15, 2008 - 9:14am

I can't see a need for this with what I do now. However, I did study and learn about RSS and so it all helps.

Assignment 2

Comment by: Ezequiel Luna (not verified); October 15, 2008 - 9:55am

Hey Memo, Thanks for this cool guide to the world of RSS. I have actually been using my Google Reader for some time to follow blogs I like but I did not realize that by doing so I was actually using RSS! Go figure...this is probably why I always need help with technology questions! ;-) Anyhow, I've signed up for the LOC blog and thank you again!

LOL

Comment by: memo; October 15, 2008 - 2:23pm

You rock!

RSS

Comment by: JaNeil (not verified); October 15, 2008 - 10:06am

This is super!!!! I went in to my Google Reader account today and wa la - the feeds I subscribed to were there. It just to seconds to get updated. I really like this.

Indeed!

Comment by: memo; October 15, 2008 - 2:25pm

One cool feature is that the "old" feeds never go away, so you can still read them, or search them, or "star" favorite posts to read them later. Good stuff, eh?

RSS assignment

Comment by: Marcy Price (not verified); October 15, 2008 - 10:08am

This could be a useful tool in keeping up with what is happening all in one place to look.

Right!

Comment by: memo; October 15, 2008 - 2:28pm

You hit it on the nose, Marcy.

Love bloglines. I am

Comment by: maryreadsalot (not verified); October 15, 2008 - 12:44pm

Love bloglines. I am subscribed to 143 blogs right now. Sure makes it easier to check everyday. Mary

Yes!

Comment by: memo; October 15, 2008 - 2:27pm

I started with Bloglines but liked the then-new single-headline view feature in Google Reader. I still use both Bloglines & Google Reader, depending on my mood. My feeds will not go away and will wait for me...forever.

RSS

Comment by: Mrs. H (not verified); October 15, 2008 - 3:40pm

I set up a couple of RSS feeds in my Outlook a couple of weeks ago...but thought I would try setting up google reader just for the experience. It's cool! I also like viewing news blurbs without having to hash through the junk, Memo, and RSS provides a convenient way to become informed about whatever interests one might have in a time efficient manner. In this information age...time IS of the essence!

Right on!

Comment by: memo; October 16, 2008 - 12:50pm

That's one of the great thing about RSS, you can read them in just about any form (desktop, web-based, mail-based, etc.). It's what makes it so great: provide the content regardless of the tool you use to read them.

RSS

Comment by: ldfb (not verified); October 15, 2008 - 4:55pm

I use Outlook for the feeds I subscribe to and can manage them fairly well using my email folders. School Library Journal has some very useful feeds for those who want to keep up with SLJ content.

SLJ rocks

Comment by: memo; October 16, 2008 - 12:52pm

Thanks for sharing! SLJ also provides an RSS feed in their Twitter account: http://twitter.com/sljournal

RSS

Comment by: Diane P (not verified); October 15, 2008 - 11:39pm

Success! I think this is a really neat way to keep up with favorites, and I can certainly see some good potential for providing bundles for book groups, and other patron programs. It does appear that it could end up demanding quite a bit of time for someone to keep up to date information listed for various library groups. I find that we are so busy at the library that I'm doing these exercises on my home computer. Perhaps it will just take practice to get going faster???

The answer: yes!

Comment by: memo; October 16, 2008 - 12:57pm

Diane, you're right that at first it may seem like a lot to keep up with, but I assure you it gets easier. In Google Reader you can use "List View" to just show the headline of the post/article. I find that a great way to pick the ones that look interesting and ignore the ones that don't. You'd be surprised how quickly I can get done with my 342 subscriptions (OK, not THAT quickly, but you do get attuned to scan for the good stuff and discard the rest).

How do I delete??

Comment by: Mrs. H (not verified); October 17, 2008 - 4:06pm

Okay...I set up a couple of feeds in the Google Reader, and now have a bizillion articles. How do I delete those once I'm finished with them?? I marked all as read and refreshed the window, but they are still there.

Deleting

Comment by: memo; October 18, 2008 - 10:00pm

Mrs. H, You can't delete any of them; they remain in the Google servers should you want to re-read something from long ago, or search for a particular post. It's one of those Google Reader things. However, I got this from the Google Reader http://tinyurl.com/5nx9d3 forums : "Google Reader manages the posts 'behind the scenes' for you. Reader retains posts for 30 days. Everyday, posts older than 30 days are removed from the list of items in your Reader, new items are added as they become available. Items are either "Read" or "Unread," and "Starred", "Shared", etc. Your Starred items are not removed from your Reader. If you do not wand to see "Read" items in your feeds look at the feed column (right side) below the feed title - select "View X new items," as opposed to "View all items" - you will see only the unread items in this feed. " Hope this helps :)

RSS management

Comment by: Mrs. H (not verified); October 21, 2008 - 8:21am

Thanks so much. This is helpful.

RSS

Comment by: nchriste (not verified); October 16, 2008 - 2:41pm

Had a difficult time learning this new task. I finally figured out how to copy and past the URL. It is amazing how easy it is when you finally do it correctly. I am still exploring sites that offer RSS to place on my blogline. This has been a good mental workout. This does not come easily and I have no kids left at home to help. Yikes!

So true!

Comment by: memo; October 16, 2008 - 8:45pm

You can flag any SPLAT member by e-mail or chat if you need help. Depending on your interests, a RSS directory service may come in handy, such as DMOZ (an open directory): http://tinyurl.com/6qqzre . Another option would be to browse Bloglines' "Top 1000" RSS link on the bottom left of your Bloglines account (once you log in, of course). Have fun discovering!

RSSSSing

Comment by: Sharon Naman (not verified); October 16, 2008 - 4:51pm

Not as hard as it looked at first. BUT I don't understand the part where my "chat" friends on my G mail can view everything on my "reader". I didn't know I HAD a chat friend, but don't like the idea of someone choosing them to look at my whatever, when I haven 't chosen that they look at it. Plus, I'm sure I've never "chatted" with anyone on line.

Privacy matters

Comment by: memo; October 16, 2008 - 8:51pm

Hi Sharon - Yes, Google thinks you ought to be friends and share your stuff with anyone--they're nosy that way. However, once in Gooogle Reader you can change your "Shared Items" settings by clicking on "Sharing settings" on the top left-hand side of the page. Similarly, you can "sign out" of chat from your Google Mail account. Here's a link to the Help section on the "Sharing" issue: http://tinyurl.com/5579yq. Hope this helps. Good luck!

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