Please Explain RSS/XML

[gulfcoastliberal]

I run Firebird/fox and know RSS is associated in some way with the browser. I suppose I could just google it but I'f rather DUoogle it first. What does this new feature do?

[Kellanved]

1. it is a standardized format for headlines

Using it the headlines (and the corresponding news) can easily be used on other websites, in special readers etc..

RSS uses XML, but that is nothing remarkable. Basically XML is a standardized way to write up tree data structures, while keeping some readability for humans.

[Imperialism Inc.]

2. There is an extension for firebird called "news monster",

however it is designed originally for Mozilla and I found it to be less than stable when I tried about a month ago.

There are many rss readers available. The one I use is

http://www.sharpreader.net/

It is very simple and I like its popup news balloons. I don't claim it is the best one out there , but it fit my usage patterns pretty well so I've stuck with it.

[CrownPrinceBandar]

3. I have Firefox.........

and I use the RSS reader that can be found here:

http://texturizer.net/firefox/extensions/#rssreaderpanel

Visit the homepage help section for setup info. Its nice having an integrated RSS/XML reader in your browser.

My fav feed(other than DU)so far is the BBC World feed found here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/syndication/feeds/news/ukfs_news/world/rss091.xml

[starroute]

4. RSS puts up current lists of headlines from multiple sites

RSS is new to me, too, but I found a pretty good explanation at http://www.faganfinder.com/search/rss.shtml

Basically, it's a service for news junkies. It lets you scan a lot of headlines very quickly without going to each website. And if you do want to follow up on any story, you just have to click that headline to open the associated webpage.

The Firefox extensions for RSS readers are http://texturizer.net/firefox/extensions/#aggreg8 and http://texturizer.net/firefox/extensions/#rssreaderpanel -- there are also lots of stand-alone applications.

Once you have an extension installed, you just have to add an RSS folder to your bookmarks and start entering .xml links in it.

News sites and blogs are the most likely to offer RSS/XML. You usually have to hunt around on the main page to find whether they do. So far, besides DU, I've added:

BBC News: http://news.bbc.co.uk/rss/newsonline_world_edition/front_page/rss091.xml
Talking Points Memo: http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/index.xml
Atrios: http://atrios.blogspot.com/rss/atrios.xml


On edit: And it just occurred to me I'd like a science site, so I added Yahoo Science http://rss.news.yahoo.com/rss/science

[RC]

5. I was so impressed with it, that I

deleted off my computer.

I could see no advantage over just going into 'Latest Breaking News'

[lcooksey]

6. Only see new stuff

The key advantage to using RSS feeds, vs visiting a site, is that with your RSS reader you only see articles or entries that are new since the last time you looked. A few weeks ago I tried out a free service (you do have to register with an e-mail address) at bloglines.com, and quickly became an RSS junkie.

The neat thing about Bloglines is that I can check it from any browser by logging into the Bloglines website. So I can track the same feeds at home and work.