You will often see these icons indicating the presence of an RSS feed.

Here's what it is

• This basic definition of web feed may be very helpful to explain the general concept.
• Wikipedia's entry - For users, a method of subscribing to your favorite websites. For content creators, RSS provides a standard format for pushing your content out to subscribers automatically.
• This is what a raw feed looks like: Netflix Top 100 - You can cut & paste the web address for this feed into an aggregator.

How to set up and use RSS feeds (1)

1. Get a feed reader by downloading software or creating an account
2. Find feeds you're interested in
3. Add these feeds to your reader
4. Check your reader regularly for new content

How to set up and use RSS feeds (2)

1. Use a "live bookmark" enabled web browser, e.g. Firefox, Safari, Internet Explorer version 7 (at MMA we are on 6.0)
2. Add live bookmarks to a specified folder
3. Check the feeds at your leisure

Feed readers, aka Aggregators

Feed readers help organize and deliver RSS feeds you have subscribed to. They will automatically check for and import new content, so you only have to visit one place to see your favorite information. You must create an account in order to use one of these tools.

• Bloglines Watson Library has a Bloglines account here: http://www.bloglines.com/public/watsonlibrary. Bloglines is one of the most popular readers.
• Google reader
• Technorati - focused on blog feeds.

Finding feeds

• There are web site directories for feeds such as:
  • http://www.syndic8.com/
  • http://www.2rss.com/

but I prefer adding feeds as I come across them while using the Internet.

Applications/Examples

• Tables of contents: scholarly journals. Sometimes abbreviated TOCRSS, this is a very exciting application of RSS technology and one that's appropriate for our patrons. Here is a list of some of our journal providers who have TOCRSS feeds:
  • Cambridge Journals Online
  • Peeters Online Journals
  • University of California Press (Caliber)
  • University of Chicago Press Journals

• New library material
  • Bury Libraries, UK. They have a variety of feeds notifying patrons about new acquisitions -- they are also an Innovative library.
• The Shifted Librarian recently posted a call for libraries with RSS feeds embedded in their catalogs, available at her wiki. It's organized by ILS vendor, and there's an Innovative example in the bunch. (RD lurking)

Overview pages

• dmoz page for RSS

Keeping Current about RSS

• How about the blog RSS4lib? (RD again)