About RSS

What is RSS?

RSS (Really Simple Syndication) is a web feed format used to publish regularly updated material such as the news articles at Mater Online. Web feeds allow you to see when a web site has been updated without having to visit the site the feed originates from.

How do I use RSS?

To subscribe to an RSS feed you require a feed reader or aggregator. Aggregators can be stand-alone programs or web based systems that require no software installation. Web based systems allow you to view the feeds you have subscribed to from any location while stand-alone versions allow you to save the feeds to your computer. Some modern browsers—Internet Explorer 7, FireFox 2 and Opera 9—are also capable of subscribing to RSS feeds.

Once you have decided which of the options above—or any alternative you may know of—best suits your needs, you need to add the RSS feed into your feed reader/aggregator. This is done by copying the link of the RSS feed into the feed reader/aggregator of your choice. The feed reader/aggregator will then notify you when the web site you are monitoring has been updated without you having to visit the web site on your own.

Modern browsers such as the ones mentioned earlier allow you to click on an RSS feed—using either the link on the web page or by clicking the RSS icon in the address bar—and subscribe by adding the feed to a special feed-related bookmark/favourites system.

More specific instructions are available through the service you choose to use to access RSS feeds.

Where do I get a feed reader/aggregator?

There are many alternatives when it comes to feed readers/aggregators and many factors to consider when researching them. Think about the type of computer you use and the price you want to pay for the application/service. Listed below are some options.