1. RSS (Really Simple Syndication) allows websites and blogs to publish updated content that can be delivered to subscribers. Web browsers detect RSS feeds on sites through symbols like an orange square badge. 2. RSS readers, also known as aggregators, allow users to subscribe to multiple RSS feeds in one place. Many blogging platforms like Blogger, WordPress, and Movable Type include the ability to publish RSS feeds without coding. 3. While some sites use proprietary systems to publish feeds, RSS can also be implemented by learning web programming languages like C# to write custom feeds.

1. RSS Works
Don't feel badly if you haven't heard of RSS -- you
may have already come into contact with it without
knowing its name. Some Web-browsing software
automatically detects RSS feeds. Firefox and
Opera display the now-common square orange
badge for a Web feed in the browser's address bar
when they find RSS feeds on a site. You'll see a
similar symbol in Internet Explorer's toolbar. Safari
shows a blue rectangle with "RSS" written in white
letters.

2. RSS Reader
Aggregators take many forms. When you use a
current-generation Web browser to visit blogs or
news sites, you'll probably see the square orange
logo that indicates the presence of an RSS feed.
Depending on what kind of site you're visiting, you
may even see a link with a whole list of feeds.
Once you click on a link to the feed, you'll get the
option to subscribe. Different browsers handle
feeds differently, but you'll probably be given a
choice of options for handling the subscription.

3. Creating RSS Feeds
So what happens if you want to add an RSS feed
to your existing blog? Many common blogging tools
such as Blogger, Vox, Movable Type and
WordPress have the ability to syndicate your
weblog in RSS, without your having to learn how to
write code. These weblog programs include
everything needed to publish a feed: the address,
title, meta and other necessary information are all
included for you.

4. Web sites
Of course, news organizations and other Web sites
that publish with their own proprietary systems
have to build RSS into their Web code. You can do
this, too, though it will involve learning how to write
a programming language. Then again, if you
already know languages such as C#, you're
probably the kind of person who would prefer to
write your own feed.

5. WordPress
So what happens if you want to add an RSS feed
to your existing blog? Many common blogging tools
such as Blogger, Vox, Movable Type and
WordPress have the ability to syndicate your
weblog in RSS, without your having to learn how to
write code. These weblog programs include
everything needed to publish a feed: the address,
title, meta and other necessary information are all
included for you.

6. Sources
# RSS. Whatis.com. Apr. 24, 2008.
http://searchwindevelopment.techtarget.com
/sDefinition/0,,sid8_gci813358,00.html
# RSS 2.0 at Harvard Law. Apr. 24, 2008.
http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/rss/rssVersionHistory.
html