Guide to RSS Feeds

The more observant amongst you may have noticed that a couple of new images saying 'xml' and 'rss' and a text link saying 'RSS Feed' have appeared (as if by magic) on the bottom left corner of all the menu pages of FirstScience. Some of you may already be saying, 'Cool! FirstScience has got a feed'; but for the vast majority of folk you are probably a bit bemused. 'What tom-foolery is this sir? Gadzooks!!! What the hell is an RSS Feed?'

(Our feed url is - http://www.firstscience.com/site/rss/firstscience.xml)

Lets skip the geeky answer, and go straight to the reason why the very mention of RSS Feeds should whip you into a frenzy of excitement. Forget Baywatch Babes and Hunks. Let's instead answer the question:

RSS Feeds - What's in it for you?

RSS stands for 'Really Simple Syndication' and gives you four main benefits:

1/ Gives you easy access to great web content.
2/ Gives YOU total CONTROL over what information you want to view.
3/ Which means no 'spam style' information.
4/ But with the potential to instantly know when information is added to sites that you love. Put simply, it could very well change the way you use the internet. (Not much then!)

'OK. Sounds good. What is it? I am still confused. When I click on the buttons all I get is a load of code!'

Well done cunning reader! Good to see that you are awake! All that code that you see when you click on the links is xml code. If you are feeling brave you can read the 98 page all singing, all dancing explanation here of what xml code is; but let me give you the short lowdown....

Wait for it... Wait for it...

Who cares? XML code is a bit like a suped up hotrod version of html (which is what this web page is written in). All that we mere mortals need to know is that programs called 'RSS Readers' eat xml code for breakfast. And that code is what they use to create all the mega benefits listed above.

'Ok. So what is an 'RSS Reader'? Is it complicated? (Or expensive) And I still don't get what 'benefits' this geeky stuff is meant to give me!

An RSS Reader (sometimes called an 'aggregator') is a software program which is like using an email program like Outlook. (Only without the email - I live to confuse!)

Let me explain. If you use Outlook then it is a bit like your window on the world. You can send information to people by email. And you can receive information from people by email.

With me so far?

An RSS Reader does the second part. It allows you to receive information and links to information from the internet from web site resources that you have specifically chosen. Only, unlike email YOU are in total control of what information you choose to receive, and can unsubscribe at any time from within the program. READ MY LIPS - NO SPAM! In essence it is like bringing the internet to your living room tv and having a remote control on the internet. You choose which bits you want to watch, and if they start to annoy you, just flip channels ('delete the feed').