RSS Feeds Explained
The big question:
Can a computer challenged untecky hostess explain RSS in a way you can understand and make you want to get a free reader and join the fun? That's the goal, but the jury is still out. Let's see...
The very bottom line:
RSS stands for Real Simple Syndication. It's a way for websites to notify subscribers about new content. The old newsletter (which I will continue to publish so be at ease folks) is fighting a losing battle with the spammers. RSS is a
great alternative. It makes it impossible for you to get unsolicited mail through your Reader or for well meaning spam filters to
prevent you what getting what you have subscribed to!
The best and worst of the web:
The best thing about the web is the vast amount of available content! The worst thing about the web is wasting time trying
to find it. Using an RSS Reader will help you stay current on the type of news and entertainment that's important to you!
Let RSS "discover" updates to your favorite sites. (No more time wasted going to sites that haven't been updated.) Let RSS alert you
with headlines from these chosen areas, thus allowing you to decide if you care to click through for the content.
Okay, so you think you want a reader. What now?
There are many FREE readers on the web. Just type in free reader or free aggregate
in a search engine and see for yourself. Me, I'm using the free Feed Reader.
You can also buy a reader if you like.
1. Download the reader of your choice. Follow installation instructions and open your reader.
2. Click on the RSS banner of any site you'd like to monitor. Copy and paste the URL of their
RSS feed in your reader. (Tip: The url to their reader should end with .xml.) My feeds are listed
below. You can customize your choices with just the joke or quote or click on the homepage
and get everything! When I update ATS your reader will notify you with a little bell. It's that easy.
Now, here are those feeds again:
All Things Southern's Weekly Porch Chat
All Things Southern's Joke of the Week
All Things Southern's "Taste of the South" Recipe of the Week
All Things Southern's Weekly Quote "It's Been Said"
All Things Southern's Weekly Southern Comfort, Inspiration From My Heart to Yours
All Things Southern's Weekly Exchange, Shellie Answers Letters to the Porch
Do you want to add news feeds? Maybe you want to add entertainment, sports, or humor feeds? An emerging group of search engines and directories are
organizing RSS feeds to help you find the content that best meets your interests, Feedster and Syndic8 to name a few.
Have fun!
Hugs,
Shellie
