RSS Feeds

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What is RSS?

RSS (Really Simple Syndication) is an XML-based format for distributing and aggregating Web content (such as news headlines).Using RSS, Web content providers can easily create and disseminate feeds of data that include, for example, news links, headlines, and summaries.

How can I use RSS?

Typical applications for consuming or using RSS include:

• Using a program known as a News Aggregator to collect, update and display RSS feeds
• Incorporating RSS feeds into your web page or weblogs

News Aggregators (also called news readers) will download and display RSS feeds for you. A number of free and commercial News Aggregators are available for download. Popular news readers include AmphetaDesk, NetNewsWire, and Radio Userland.

Many aggregators are separate, "stand-alone" programs such as those listed above; other services will let you add RSS feeds to a Web page.

Another way many people use RSS feeds is by incorporating content into web pages or weblogs (blogs). Blogs are web pages comprised of usually short, frequently updated items and web links. Blogging as a publishing tool is used for many purposes: traditional journalism, personal journals, group discussions around a topic, and many combinations in-between.