What is RSS?
RSS explained
An RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feed is really a simple version of a web page. Typically, RSS is used to show news headlines, but it can be used for any information you can present in a list. The advantage of RSS is that the feed is automatically updated whenever new content appears, so you don't have to keep visiting a website.
Why use RSS?
Using RSS feeds, you can find out instantly whenever a new job, car or home appears that matches any of your searches. This means that you don't have to remember your searches, and you don't have to type them in again.
How to read RSS feeds
You can read RSS feeds using a "news reader"; this can either be your usual web browser (IE, Safari etc.), or a special piece of software that gives you better control over the feeds to which you subscribe. Here are a few options:
Windows
- Browser-based
- Internet Explorer 7 has a news reader built in; to access it, just click on the RSS icon in the toolbar when you're on a page with an RSS feed. Firefox also has built-in RSS support.
- Commercial
- FeedDemon is a very popular option for the Windows user, with many features justifying its price.
- Free
- Awasu is a very good free option for Windows, having many professional features.
Mac
- Browser-based
- The Safari browser has built-in RSS capabilities; when you visit a site with RSS, you'll see a blue RSS icon at the right of your address bar. Firefox also has built-in RSS support.
- Commercial
- If you're serious about your RSS, you might consider paying for NetNewsWire, which has integration with Spotlight, Address Book, iCal, iPhoto, and so on.
- Free
- Vienna is a fully-featured free news reader for Mac OS X.
In addition to the above-mentioned RSS readers, there now exist several web-based RSS readers. MSN, Yahoo!, and Google are among the websites offering you the chance to collect RSS feeds in an area on your homepage there for easy browsing.