RSS FAQ's

1. What is an RSS Feed?

RSS is the name of a web feed that sends daily news headlines and other summaries from online sources directly to your computer. RSS typically stands for "Really Simple Syndication" so keep that in mind as you read the following questions. Although it may not seem like it, RSS is really simple! Please note that RSS is just one type of feed on the web. The most common web feeds are RSS and Atom.

2. How do I access RSS Feeds?

To access an RSS feed, you will first need to set up an RSS Reader (e.g., Google Reader or Newsfire). The RSS Reader stores all of the web feeds you've selected and will continue to store past headlines as well as display new ones as they come in.

When you visit a website, look for an RSS button (usually located toward the bottom of the front page) and select it. The New York Times and TIME are just a few examples of news sites that give readers a variety of feeds to choose from.

3. What are some examples of RSS Feeds?

Click on the following RSS buttons to access feeds from news websites and other online sources such as CNN, Google, Macworld, Slashdot, Tech Crunch, and Wired.

 

CNN Top Stories	Macworld	Tech Crunch
Google News	Slashdot	Wired

 

So...the EASIEST way to link external RSS Feeds to your blog or web page is to simply link the "feed XML" (e.g., http://newsrss.bbc.co.uk/rss/newsplayer_uk_edition/sci-tech/rss.xml) to an RSS icon that you've placed somewhere on your page.

4. How can I make my blog into a Feed?

To make your blog into a web feed, simply set up a link somewhere on your blog page to the following xml:

http://"nameofyourblog"/atom.xml

(Ex: if your blog site's URL is: http://uconnjournalism.blogspot.com, link it to: http://uconnjournalism.blogspot.com/atom.xml)

Test it out through an RSS Reader and see your blog's daily headlines appear!

5. Where can I learn more about RSS and Atom Feeds?

For more information about RSS and Atom Feeds, click here or contact maeve.ryan@uconn.edu with questions.