Learning to Use RSS Feeds

What Are Internet RSS Feeds and How Can You Use Them?
By SETH SUTEL

Nov. 10, 2006 — Question: I keep hearing about RSS feeds on Web sites. What are they and how can I use them?

Answer: RSS feeds are a very simple and convenient way to receive updated items from Web sites that you like, so you don't have to go trolling around to each site to see what's new. Think of it as a Web page that does your surfing for you.

RSS — which stands for Really Simple Syndication — is a kind of computer code that allows you to "subscribe" to various Web sites, which will then send you new headlines and blurbs soon after they're posted. Your computer will also occasionally check in with the sites you subscribe to for updates.

The updates will all appear in one place, which you can organize the way you want. The material from each site you subscribe to will usually appear in its own section as short headlines with little blurbs describing what the item is. They'll also contain links you can click on to go to the actual site.

Say you want to see news from several newspapers or other news sources, airline deals, sports scores, your local weather as well as new posting from your favorite blogs.

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