RSS Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is RSS?
- What do I need for RSS?
- How does RSS work?
- Is RSS safe?
- Will I get spam?
- I have a question that was not addressed
1. What is RSS?
RSS, short for Really Simple Syndication, is a convenient and easy means of communication between you and your favorite websites. An RSS enabled website will publish a list of changes, stories, products, etc. whenever they are updated. Using an RSS reader you can “subscribe” to a website’s RSS feed and keep track of these updates without ever having to visit the website. Many major news websites like CNN, New York Times, and Fox News utilize RSS to keep their readers up to date with what is happening in the world.
2. What do I need for RSS?
All you need is an internet connection, and an RSS reader (also known as an Aggregator).
RSS readers come in different forms and fashions. You can download and install RSS reading software that will sit on your computer and watch for these websites to update, or you can use a web-based RSS reader and forgo any software installation. Soon most internet browsers will include RSS readers. Already Internet Explorer 7 and Firefox have them pre-installed.
If you don’t mind installing software we suggest using a program called FeedReader which you can download from here with our RSS feed preinstalled. It’s safe, easy to use, and will automatically alert you when your feeds have updated while you’re connected to the internet.
If you are wary of installing any software there are a variety of free web-based RSS readers out there like Bloglines, NewsGator, and GoogleReader. Each of these requires an account, but signing up is relatively easy.
3. How does RSS work?
It’s really a rather simple process. An RSS enabled website will publish an XML file of all the current stories, products, or information that have been added or changed for a certain stretch of time. The RSS reader will regularly go out and access that XML file and see if any changes have been made to it and report those changes to the reader.
4. Is RSS safe?
As with all things on the internet there isn't anything that's absolutely safe, however RSS comes very close. There is no personal information that is given out and virtually no risk of viruses.
5. Will I get spam?
Nope, there is no spam. While RSS is similar to an e-mail subscription service, it is very different. With RSS there is an anonymous factor to it. You give no ‘address’ people can use to reach you. Your feeder directly accesses the feed of a particular site.
RSS is like traveling to a store and picking up a product, you pick what you want and you leave. No one knows your address so they can’t send you anything you don't want. E-mail, however, is like having a product shipped directly to your house. Because you gave the company your address they could keep sending things to you or ditribute it how they see fit.
6. I have a question that was not addressed
Please, feel free to e-mail our webmaster. We're more than happy to answer any questions you have.