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"Really Simple Syndication" (RSS) files show headlines and summaries
that
link to an original article. These files are formatted in XML
(eXtensible Markup Language) so that they may be read by a feed reader.
Once
a feed reader is selected, the articles appear without showing a full web
page and associated ads. RSS feeds must be viewed with an RSS reader
(also known as a news aggregator).
The Office of Information Technology (OIT)
Help Desk offers an expanding list of RSS
feeds.
What is an RSS Feed?
An RSS feed can be used by a company or university to list changing
events. The RSS feed is a news link or blog about a particular subject
that leads you to multiple links about that subject. For example,
OIT has a System
and Network Alerts  RSS feed, that when
clicked, will show a listing of the current alerts. When you
click
on a specific alert, a web page with the full information
about the alert will appear.
The main link from the RSS feed will show the number of
unread messages in bold type. This allows you to see quickly if there is
new
information posted without having to go to, and download, a full web page
that may possibly include advertisements.
RSS feeds can be read through various means. Some e-mail clients can
host
an RSS feed while others prefer to read the feeds through a feed reader.
Some feed readers are applications while others use the local browser to
read the files.
RSS feeds provided by OIT User Support Services contain styling
information to make them render much like a web page in your browser.
Many RSS feeds do not contain this styling information and therefore may
appear as code in your browser. If this occurs, it simply means that you
should either obtain an RSS plugin for your particular browser, or use
one of the recommended RSS readers.
What is a Live Bookmark?
Live Bookmarks are a new technology implemented in the Mozilla Firefox
browser. Live Bookmarks can be listed using an RSS feed or blog with
your other Bookmark menu items or as its own toolbar. If using the
Book menu item, select the main link and
the web page will show with various links related to the subject.
If you choose to view it using a Bookmark toolbar, you
can click on the tab to see the information.
Why Should I Use an RSS Feed or Live Bookmark?
Simplicity is the answer. If you have an area of interest (e.g.,
System and Network Alerts) and need your information quickly with a
minimum of fuss, you can look at your feed links to see if
any new alerts were posted. No more web surfing to find the right page,
it will be
at your fingertips. Another bonus about the use of a feed is that you
will only
see the information you have selected and not a web page
crammed with
distractions that may take valuable download time.
How do I Get Started?
To subscribe to an RSS feed, look for a site showing the XML icon
().
Click on this icon and
copy the listed URL into the Location bar of
your browser (you should see a page of HTML code when you click on the
link). Paste this URL into the feed reader and click the
Subscribe button. That's all there is to it. The only decision that
you need to make
is which feed reader you want to use to read the RSS feeds.
OIT supports Mozilla Thunderbird for RSS feeds and
Mozilla Firefox to maintain
live bookmarks that use RSS feeds.
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