XML Feeds
What is this?
RSS, XML, Live Bookmarks, Web Feeds, Subscribe… You’re starting to see it on websites everywhere.
But what do they all mean?
Basically they’re all referring to the same thing - a new way of reading content on the web.
Instead of having to visit a site each time you want to check for new content, wouldn’t it be nice if you could just be notified? Instead of visiting a bunch different sites, wouldn’t it be better if you could keep up with them in one place?
Well that’s what RSS/XML/Live Bookmarks/Web Feeds/Whatever the hell you want to call it does for you. You subscribe to a site (typically news sites and blogs like Exit 404) in an aggregator, and new content is retrieved and presented to you all in one place.
How will I know?
Most sites with XML syndication will have some sort of RSS, XML, or Feed button (usually orange) near the bottom of the page.
Also, if you use a decent browser like Firefox, it’ll notify you that the page you’re viewing has an RSS feed, usually with an icon somewhere on the browser.
What’s this aggregator thing again & what do you use?
Think of a news aggregator as sort of a mailbox for new content. Some sites will let you read the entire post/story in the aggregator, others will just give you an excerpt. If you feel like reading the rest, a link will take you to the story. There are tons of them to choose from and most of ‘em are free.
Personally, I use Newsgator. Well, really a combination of Newsgator Online and FeedDemon. Newsgator Online lets view all of my subscriptions in a web browser, while FeedDemon is a desktop application. They both use the same account so my subscriptions and viewed items are in sync between the two applications. I’ve also tried Bloglines as well, but I just like the Newsgator Online interface better. Plus I can view my Newsgator subscriptions on my Media Center.
Look through the list and figure out which one you like, then start subscribing to sites!