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what is RSS (Really Simple Syndication)?

RSS is an XML-based format for distributing and gathering content from various web sites. When a website has an RSS feed, it is said to be 'syndicated.' This syndicated information is called an RSS feed, webfeed, RSS stream, or RSS channel. Typically, feed information consists of a list of items, namely headlines and summaries of web content along with links to their full stories.

You can identify RSS-enabled content by the presence of an orange 'RSS' or 'XML' button on a web page. That button should contain a link to the feed. But clicking on the link will likely just show you the XML file. In order to see the feed as intended, and to gain the full benefits RSS has to offer, you'll need a proper RSS reader or aggregator.

how do I receive RSS feeds?

Client-side readers and aggregators are either stand-alone programs or extensions to existing programs like web browsers. In either case, the RSS readers and aggregators will check the feeds of the RSS-enabled sites of your choosing, and return all the new (current) headlines and summaries they find. The web-based versions will display headlines and article summaries right in the browser window, while stand-alone readers will assemble information into their own application.

The aggregated feeds allow you to quickly view current information from all your chosen feeds in one simple list - - saving the need to visit each web source individually looking for information.

what RSS readers are available?

If you want to, you can find some products that you'll have to pay for, but we'll just list some of the free ones here.

web-based aggregators:

Firefox (web)

Safari (web [mac])

client-side aggregators:

FeedReader (win)

SharpReader (win)

Vienna (mac)

Straw (linux)

NewsBerry (blackberry)

what is Podcasting?

Podcasting is basically just online audio content delivered via an RSS feed.

how can I receive podcasts?

Although you can listen to a Podcast's audio files with many different programs and devices, we'd recommend using Apple's free iTunes (mac/win) player to take full advantage of a Podcast's features.