Using and subscribing to RSS Feeds
RSS (Really Simple Syndication) is a useful way to subscribe to different types of constantly changing content such as web site updates, blog posts, podcast episodes and news headlines. The 'subscription' is a special type of feed formatted in the RSS specification and is made up of links (often with a short summary) to the content. Typically the RSS feed is provided as a link and is consumed using an RSS reader, much like a web page is viewed using a browser.
There are many software applications and online services that can be used to view RSS feeds (sometimes called feed or news readers) and the newer generation of web browsers now accommodate RSS feeds allowing you to view and organize them. Using RSS feeds does not have to be difficult, you don't have to understand the technology or how feeds are produced. All you essentially need to do is copy the feed link and paste it into your chosen feed reader or web browser (if it supports RSS).
Why use RSS Feeds?
The main benefit of using RSS is that you can subscribe to many sites and services that offer feeds and track changes and new content from one single location (i.e. your chosen reader or browser). This saves you from having to scour all your favorite sites for updates and allows you to jump straight to the articles, headlines or podcasts that interest you the most. Many people use RSS feeds to save time when monitoring dozens of sites and blogs!
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