Really Simple Syndication (RSS 2.0)

RSS is a family of web feed formats used to publish frequently updated content such as blog entries, news headlines or podcasts. An RSS document is called as a feed, contains the gist of the content or the whole content itself. This helps people in keeping their favorite websites on track automatically than manually.

RSS solves a problem for people who regularly use the web. It allows you to easily stay informed by retrieving the latest content from the sites you are interested in. You save time by not needing to visit each site individually. You ensure your privacy, by not needing to join each site's email newsletter. The number of sites offering RSS feeds is growing rapidly and includes big names like Yahoo News. Since RSS data is small and fast-loading, it can easily be used with services like cell phones or PDA's.

RSS is useful for web sites that are updated frequently, like:

* News sites - Lists news with title, date and descriptions
* Companies - Lists news and new products
* Calendars - Lists upcoming events and important days
* Site changes - Lists changed pages or new pages

RSS content can be read using a software called RSS reader, or an aggregator: Amphetadesk (Windows, Linux, Mac), FeedReader (Windows), and NewsGator (Windows - integrates with Outlook). The user clicks on the RSS icon that initiates the subscription process or the user subscribes to a feed's link into the reader. the reader checks the user's subscribed feeds regularly for new content, getting any new updates if found.
Prior to RSS 2.0, RSS 0.9, .91, .92, .93 RSS 0.94 and RSS 1.0 were used.

* Really Simple Syndication (RSS 2.0)
* RDF Site Summary (RSS 1.0 and RSS 0.90)
* Rich Site Summary (RSS 0.91)

This icon was 1st used by Opera and from then on, this orange square with radio waves became the industry standard for RSS and Atom feed.

RSS READER:

1. 1st download the rssreader, then have the .net framework installed . Then Look for this XML or RSS RSS feed pictograms in news pages of websites, for example Yahoo! news or BBC news.

2. Place the mouse arrow on one of the above pictograms (in the website
you found) and click the right mouse button, then choose "Copy
Shortcut".

3. Start RssReader and go to add(+) channel/feed and then paste
(click right mouse button) the url and press ok. Add as many feeds to
this free RSS reader as you want and use it as free news aggregator.