Strangely enough RSS stands for various sets of words, (depending on whose interpretation you use and seemingly depending on what version - how old it is) and yet still stands for the same technology. Go figure!

Some of the names “RSS” are abbreviations for:

* Really Simple Syndication (RSS 2.0)
* RDF Site Summary (RSS 1.0 and RSS 0.90)
* Rich Site Summary (RSS 0.91).

RSS content can be read using software called an “RSS reader”, “feed reader” or an “aggregator”, which can be web-based (no software to install) or desktop-based (software needs to be downloaded and installed).

In the background where you don’t see it, a standardized XML file format allows the information to be published once and viewed by many different programs. We don’t really care what the technology is in the background but it is good to be told a little bit so that you can look intelligent when technology comes up in casual social conversation.

You can subscribe to a feed by entering the feed’s link into the reader (a bit like creating a bookmark) or by clicking an RSS icon in a browser that initiates the subscription process.

Although RSS formats have evolved since March 1999 the RSS icon first gained widespread use in 2005–2006

So, if you want to go and start trying out an RSS feeder the first choice you have to make is do you want to install a program onto your computer or use a web-based one?

To help you in making this decision I’ve thrown in some links here to some readers that you can have a look at.

Web-based readers:

Yahoo News via RSS Yahoo provide this reader – if you already have a yahoo account then this may be a really simple way to add a reader to your collection of web tools.

Bloglines is another web-based feeder that you may wish to check out.

Google Reader - take a tour of how it works. Google offers web users a huge range of tools that I will be looking at during the coming months.

Desktop based readers:

Remember to check what is available for your computer platform. (windows, MAC, Linux etc)

FeedReader (Windows) – a free reader as well as more advance tools that you can purchase.

NewsGator (Windows and iPhone applications) integrates with Outlook as well as Mac and mobile solutions. This site gives you a whole suite of tools and options.

You tube video on RSS This is a great visual way of seeing what RSS is about.
Examples of some sites with RSS

Once you have chosen your RSS reader, please subscribe to this blog to test it out! I mean to say what could be a better test for you than the place that brought you to the whole RSS concept in the beginning?

Happy information gathering!

We all know that we have this thing called the world wide web that is supposed to give us access to all this information.
We also all know that finding the information we want, and returning to good sources can be a constant source of confusion and frustration.
We can all identify with the person who discovers that hours have slipped away whilst using the web, without finding the information they started out looking for, even if they did find lots of information and even had an enjoyable time. If this information relates to your business this time could have cost you money. You realise that you may still have to spend a similar amount of time searching again, hoping not to get too sidetracked.

So why can’t the information I want come to me?

Now that is one great idea, but how could this happen?

Really Simple Syndication (RSS) allows the distribution of a collection of information such as news headlines, podcasts and even blogs that change frequently from many sources. You can view these using a simple reader from one single place.

Now that sounds like one great solution to me.

This technology is great because it:
• keeps you informed by retrieving the latest content from sites of interest to you
• saves time - no need to visit each site
• your privacy is protected – no need to join each site’s email newsletter

There is a range of free, basic feed readers are out there that you can install on your computer or sign up for a Web-based service. (no installing stuff needed) Some newer Web browsers and email programs, even have feed readers built in.
When you look at your feed reader, you will see headlines and short summaries, a bit like looking at search results in Google. You can then click on any item you wish to read in full.

This weeks blog will guide you through finding an RSS feeder and subscribing to RSS feeds.