The document provides an overview of RSS feeds and how to use RSS readers. It defines what an RSS feed and RSS reader are, explains the benefits of using RSS such as saving time by not needing to visit each individual site, and provides examples of RSS readers for different platforms like Google Reader, SharpReader, and Liferea. It also gives directions for how to set up RSS feeds by finding blogs on topics of interest and subscribing to them in an RSS reader.

1. Michelle Post, Ph.D.

2.  What is an RSS Feed?
 What is an RSS Reader or Aggregator?
 Why use RSS?
 What Reader should I use?
 How do I setup RSS feeds?
 Example of Google Reader
 Example of Sharp Reader
 Examples of RSS Web Resources
 RSS Links: More information on RSS
 References
Michelle Post, Ph.D.

3.  An RSS feed is an XML file that provides content
or summaries of content, including links to the
full versions of the content and other metadata .
◦ Reference: Whatis?com. (2008). Definition: RSS feed. Retrieved from
http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/0,,sid9_gci1189222,00.html
 A web feed is a file that contains frequently
updated information, such as news headlines,
blog posts, and in the case of podcasts audio and
video, that is specially formatted in a way that
allows it to be subscribed to using a variety of
programs called feed readers or aggregators.
◦ Reference: Tucows.com. (2006-2008). Understanding basic
Internet jargon. Retrieved from
http://www.tucows.com/article/1903
Michelle Post, Ph.D.

4.  Feed Reader or News Aggregator software
allow you to grab the RSS feeds from various
sites and display them for you to read and
use.
◦ Reference: WhatisRSS.com. (n.d.). What do I need to do to read an
RSS Feed? RSS Feed readers and news Aggregators. Retrieved from
http://www.whatisrss.com/
Michelle Post, Ph.D.

5.  RSS solves a problem for people who
regularly use the web. It allows you to easily
stay informed by retrieving the latest content
from the sites you are interested in. You save
time by not needing to visit each site
individually. You ensure your privacy, by not
needing to join each site's email newsletter.
◦ Reference: WhatisRSS.com. (n.d.). Why RSS? Benefits and Reasons
for using RSS. Retrieved from http://www.whatisrss.com/
Michelle Post, Ph.D.

6. Top Picks
 Web: http://www.google.com/reader/view/
 Web: Bloglines
◦ Simple two-pane interface, like email.
 Mac OS X: NetNewsWire
◦ This elegant Mac-like aggregator is easy to use and
powerful.
 Windows: SharpReader
◦ Simple, but gets the job done.
 Linux: Liferea
◦ A simple Gtk newsreader.
 Check this site out for a listing of others:
http://blogspace.com/rss/readers
◦ Reference: WhatisRSS.com. (n.d.). What do I need to do to
read an RSS Feed? RSS Feed readers and news Aggregators.
Retrieved from http://www.whatisrss.com/
Michelle Post, Ph.D.

7.  Decide what Reader application you want to use.
 Install the Reader application and then start the application.
 One easy way to begin is go to Google and select Google Blogs
from the “more” menu on Google’s homepage.
 Enter keywords from a subject you are interested in. Example:
“technology in the classroom”
 Select a blog site that sounds interesting to you. Copy the web
address of the blog site.
 Go to your Reader application and paste the web address of the
blog site into the Reader’s “address” box.
 The Reader application will download all the blog topics from
this particular blog site.
 If you like the site, then click on the “subscribe” button in your
Reader application.
 Every time you start your Reader application, you will receive
topics from the site you picked.
 Now go out and explore more sites that have an RSS feed.
Michelle Post, Ph.D.

8. Michelle Post, Ph.D. 8

9. Michelle Post, Ph.D.

10. http://www.readwriteweb.com/ http://eduforge.org/
http://www.webdesignerwall.com/ http://delicious.com/jgroom
http://www.darcynorman.net/ http://www.gomediazine.com/
http://www.edugadget.com/ http://blog.webreakstuff.com/
http://slashdot.org/ http://weblogs.elearning.ubc.ca/brian/
http://www.softpedia.com/ http://camplesegroup.com/blog
http://weblogg-ed.com/ http://thedieline.com/
http://www.engadget.com/ http://creativecurio.com/
http://www.appleinsider.com/ http://logodesignlove.com/
http://davidairey.com/
http://maczealots.com/
http://justcreativedesign.com/
http://www.usingmac.com/ http://ilovetypography.com/
http://digg.com/view/technology http://www.izzyvideo.com/
http://www.techcrunch.com/ http://www.macreviewcast.com/
http://del.icio.us/martindale http://www.macrumors.com/
http://creativebits.org/ http://www.davidbordwell.net/blog/ind
http://www.simplehelp.net/ ex.php
Michelle Post, Ph.D.

11.  RSS Info Comprehensive Overview and Links
 Syndic8 - Directory of RSS Feeds
 What is RSS, and Why Should You Care?
 XML.com: What is RSS?
 Introduction to RSS - WebReference.com
 RSS Blog Our very own weblog on RSS
 Sites with RSS Feeds More RSS Examples. Sites
with RSS feeds linking to WhatIsRSS.com
◦ Reference: WhatisRSS.com. (n.d.). RSS links: More information on
RSS. Retrieved from http://www.whatisrss.com/
Michelle Post, Ph.D.

12.  Techintheclass. (2008). Technology in the
classroom. Retrieved from
http://techintheclass.blogspot.com/
 Tucows.com. (2006-2008). Understanding
basic Internet jargon. Retrieved from
http://www.tucows.com/article/1903
 Whatis?com. (2008). Definition: RSS feed.
Retrieved from
http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/
0,,sid9_gci1189222,00.html
Michelle Post, Ph.D.