What Is RSS?

RSS (Really Simple Syndication) is a format that enables you to receive updates on frequently updated works—news, updates, podcasts, blog entries—as immediately as when the update is published, simply by "subscribing" to the RSS feed. This allows you to avoid the hassle of visiting the website for new updates and information; however, the website must provide RSS feeds.

 

RSS is coded in XML (eXtensible Markup Language) and is easily identifiable by icons such as or , in addition to other similar icons.

 

How Do I Use RSS?

RSS is commonly utilized by a feed reader, also known as a feed aggregator, or widgets. Most browsers have a built-in RSS reader and also allow you the capability of subscribing to feeds. Browsers such as Mozilla Firefox 2+, Internet Explorer 6+, or Apple Safari are all capable of reading RSS. There are also separate programs you can download that are specifically designed for RSS reading.

 

Select an RSS Reader

Prior to subscribing to an RSS feed, you must decide what you will use as your RSS reader. This tutorial will use the most commonly used means of surfing the Internet, a browser.

 

Find an RSS Feed

The easiest way to find an RSS feed is to look for the RSS icon as shown above. First Baptist Church's website uses the icon. Then click the link to the feed. You should be directed to the feed. Each feed should have its own unique URL (web address).

For example: http://www.fbchammond.com/rss/br/?d=today

 

Subscribe to the Feed Using a Browser

Every RSS reader reads and organizes the RSS feed differently and provides its own way for you to subscribe to a feed. The following is a list of how an RSS feed should look on an Internet browser like Firefox, Internet Explorer, and Safari.

 

(Click images for larger view)

 

The most common way to subscribe to a feed is to bookmark the page (CTRL+D). Firefox also provides "Live Bookmarks" for RSS feeds.

 

Subscribe to the Feed Using a Widget

Widgets are mini applications commonly used on desktops and on the web and are often in a form of interactive tools (countdowns, clocks, stock tickers, weather, games, etc.) that connect to another website or database for its information.

 

As the web grows, Internet widgets are getting more and more popular. Popular search engines such as Google and Yahoo! now provide web widgets to which you can add your own RSS feed.

 

 

Essentially all you need is the URL of the RSS feed, which you can find at the address bar on any browser once you have navigated to the feed you want. In this case it was http://www.fbchammond.com/rss/br/?d=today.

 

Where Can I Find More RSS Feeds?

We provide a number of RSS feeds you can subscribe to in our RSS Feeds section. Remember, just look for the .

 

For more help feel free to contact us. We will be more than happy to help.