What are RSS feeds?

The easiest way to get updated content of your favourite sites delivered to you as soon as an update is made is to subscribe to a RSS Feed (Really Simple Syndication). Once you have subscribed to an RSS feed you will no longer need to visit all of your favourite websites to get the latest information and news. Headlines and summaries are collected automatically for you in one place. To read a full article or story all you need to do is click on the link and it takes you to the relevant story on the relevant site.

Using XML (extensible mark-up language) RSS shares and distributes content, and are normally indicated by an orange RSS or XML box. RSS links will display in your browser as XML code if you have not set up a way to receive the feeds.

How can I receive RSS feeds?

Once you have a feed reader (also known as a news reader or aggregator in some cases) set up you will be able to access the RSS feeds. A feed reader can be an online service you use or software that you install directly. You can normally download a feed reader free of charge from one of a number of companies, these are updated and improved regularly and it is worth searching on the web to find the latest one for your operating system.

You will have to register as a user to access a web based service; some examples are Netvibes, Google Reader and Newsgator

Whether you choose to use a web-based service or download a free reader you will be able to subscribe to feeds that interest you by simply clicking on the RSS icon for that feed.

Mozilla Firefox and some other browsers display RSS feeds directly. If you are using Firefox and use the ‘Live Bookmarks’ feature you will be able to access the feeds automatically.