RSS Feeds

What are they???

RSS (Really Simple Syndication) is a relatively new web application that groups a couple of protocols and standards together to allow for the easy syndication of articles. It operates by publishing XML files that hold small snippets of information. These in turn link back to the main, complete article. These XML files are read by feed readers (sometimes called aggregators or managers) which then display the feed in a simple, easy to read form.

Simply put, a RSS feed and reader shows you the headlines for a specific series of announcements. You can then choose to click the interesting feed link to then display the full article for you to read. Its like having an electronic version of your favourite newspaper, with only the headlines displayed. When you click the headline, it then opens the page holding the actual article.

Why are we offering this service???

To gain visitors ultimately, also to keep our visitors regularly informed. If you use RSS feeds, you will be automatically kept up-to-date with regular information from the website. However this is done in a completely automated, unobtrusive way. No additional emails or alerts everytime an update occurs, simply a small headline in your RSS reader. Hopefully this will either entice you to visit the website and read the whole article or simply dismiss it.

Sounds great, what do I have to do???

This is thankfully simple, you just need to download and install a RSS reader from the Internet and add the link. It really is usually that simple. Areas of the website that are RSS enabled, will have a small RSS logo on the page, plus some instructions.

- Example of the RSS icon.

You will no doubt, ask which RSS reader is best, what do I recommend, etc, etc. Unfortunately this is a matter of personal choice and equally there is lots of choice. Download a couple, install and use. They are simple applications, so if you can't get to grips with it after a few minutes of trying, chances are the reader is not the right one for you, so uninstall it and try another. There are plenty available for Windows, Mac OS and Linux and most are free. Remember, Google is your friend :)

Personally, I use MultiNewsReader which is a very lightweight Widget that augments Konfabulator (which is another application itself and a whole different beast).