RSS & How Use It (part 1)

Have you ever read an article, intended explain RSS simple terms that, begins well, but soon descends into confusing jargon or information overload?

If so, take heart, I was same place a few months ago.

Often best way understand something, use it. RSS no exception.

So rather than try create a definitive explanation RSS, this article will tell you how use it. I guarantee once you've done so, everything will much clearer.

If a website you visit utilizes RSS, there are a number ways will communicate this.

The most common way show a little orange button with letters XML.

Alternatively, you may see words such "ATOM", "RSS", "Site Feed" or variations these.

What they have common they will link a webpage that, most browsers, looks like gibberish.

It doesn't matter one way or another, what important address web page they link to.

To demonstrate, I will relate how read a site feed my website, The Nettle Blog. Don't confuse RSS with blogs (web logs). They are two separate concepts. The only reason you see them together so often, blogs are perfect website take advantage site feeds. More later. Here we go?

Click this link to go site feed The Nettle Blog. Ignore content window, just make a note URL web address bar. It should read: http://feeds.feedburner.com/thenettle

Now you've got web address site feed, keep safe somewhere. You'll need again a moment.

The next step use an RSS reader make sense site feed. There are lots these available if you are a heavy user you would probably want purchase a nice piece software.

But begin with, start with something simple free. Start with Bloglines.

Go www.bloglines.com/register/ create a new account.

From "My Feeds" section your account you can add new site feeds you want keep track of.

Select "ADD", enter URL you copied hit "Subscribe". You can preview results, but skip that stage now. Select "Subscribe" again title site feed will be transferred left-hand window.

Well done. You have now subscribed your first RSS feed.

To read just click title you can view all messages that feed within a selected time period. The feed will most likely record news related website feed belongs to.

In this instance, site feed The Nettle Blog records each new entry my blog. If you find something interest, most entries have a clickable link you can follow.

Anytime you find a website you like with a site feed, make a note URL that site feed add your Bloglines folder.

Now comes clever bit.

In left-hand column your account an "Extras" list. Select Download Notifier choose correct file download Bloglines Notifier This file only 100k so any half-decent connection should complete download just a few seconds.

If download successful, you should see a small, blue icon with letter "B". Double-clicking will short-cut you Bloglines.

Right-click icon you can adjust settings. Specify how often you want Bloglines check messages you.

When Bloglines checks your site feeds finds that one or more have been updated, a little chime will play Bloglines icon will show a little red marker. This means one feeds you have subscribed has something new say.

So there you have it. A spam-free, hassle-free way keep track websites you have an interest in. Providing course, that they have a site feed. If they don't, ask them why not.

Part two this article will show webmaster ezine publishers how they can easily publish a site feed their website track visitors, free charge.

David Congreave owner The Nettle Ezine, newsletter home business -- online.

David lives Leeds, United Kingdom with his wife Leanne.