RIT Libraries Feeds
Keeping up with the ever-changing content on favorite web sites is a time-consuming hassle. We bookmark sites (hoping we remember to check them) and also rely on hearing news and tidbits via other sources while e-mail, newsletters, ads and listserv messages cram our inboxes (and we delete, delete all that isn't of interest).
A Solution:
Thanks to webfeeds, individuals and organizations can EASILY keep up to date. Some websites use webfeeds to deliver articles, news, weblogs or tidbits. Other sites use webfeeds to alert of new products, job openings or upcoming events. RIT Library is using a webfeed as one more way of letting you know about events, happenings, new products and other library-related news that may be of use to you.
What is a "webfeed?"
Webfeed is a kinder, gentler term for what is called RSS. In a nutshell, RSS is an acronym for Really Simple Syndication. To paraphrase xml.com: RSS is a format for syndicating (harvesting) news sources and sites as well as many personal weblogs. RSS feeds are in  format and not meant to be read by human eyes, but rather by a feed reader. Feed readers fetch new copies of the feeds you subscribe to on a regular schedule and show you which feeds have been updated since the last time you checked.
What kinds of webfeeds are out there?
There are thousands of RSS feeds and thus something for everyone. Feeds range from personal weblogs to the New York Times, NPR, Wired, ESPN...and everything in between.
Getting webfeeds delivered to your desktop
The process of recieving feeds from any source is quite simple. Here are the steps you'll need.
1. Choose an aggregator
To receive the information in a feed, you'll need a feed reader, or "aggregator." There are any number of different aggregators available, most free, via the web or specific software packages. We recommend Bloglines. Sign-up is free.
2. Subscribe to feeds
To get a feel for how easy it is to add a feed to Bloglines try this:
- Go to this New York Times page (http://www.nytimes.com/services/xml/rss/)
- Pick a news feed of interest to you.
- Right click on the
button to copy the link.
- Open up your subscription to Bloglines, click on
My Feeds , click on Add then simply paste in the URL and click the SUBSCRIBE button.
Technology news from the NYT has been added to your Bloglines and you now will have the latest breaking news stories delivered to you as they become available each day!
Here is a sample screen of Bloglines in action. You choose what to read and what to skip!
Related Sites
Now you are ready to add other RSS feeds of interest to you. Some search sites to start with are:
In addition:
Here are two good sites that keep it simple and tell you how to get going:
Questions?
Contact Shirley Bower
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Library RSS Feeds:
