Just what is RSS exactly?

The results of our first blog poll are in, and it turns out that a vast majority (70%) of people either don't use an RSS reader, or don't know what RSS is. So, let's get to it.

RSS stands for 'really simple syndication'. The benefit of RSS is the aggregation of content from multiple web sources in one place. RSS feeds bring updated information straight to your screen via an RSS reader - which works a little like an email account.

You can get free RSS readers from a variety of places, including Google at www.google.com/reader or www.igoogle.com.


Once you have established an account with a reader like Google reader, you can then start adding feeds. When you come across a site that you are interested in, hit the orange RSS button found on the site (sometimes it's also just text, or called an XML feed). Most sites these days will then pop up with a box like this:

Select the reader you're using and then voila! The feed is added to your reader. Now each time you check in with your reader, the latest information from that website will be displayed.


Admittedly, sometimes the process is not that easy, depending on how websites have set up their feeds. But this really great 'plain English' video from Common Craft can help you navigate some of the other ways to setup RSS.

(if you're getting this post via email and can't see the video, click here)

A word of warning... RSS can become addictive... be careful out there!

Tracking the media, monitoring the message

Voting is open! On our blog!

Hey Slicers, we've opened up a poll on our blog to find out a little bit more about you and your media habits.

First cab off the rank is a question about RSS. Don't worry if you have no idea what RSS stands for (unfortunately it's not Really Spunky Shoes) ... we want to know that too.

So head to the blog, or if you're already here (there?), vote in the box in the right column.

Thanks in advance for your vote.

Tracking the media, monitoring the message