Keeping up to date using RSS

What is RSS?

RSS is an acronym for Really Simple Syndication (amongst other meanings). It's used as a simple way of disseminating information to provide an instant summary of new content in a web site (for example, a database or news feed) or blog.

Instead of having to visit each web site individually to check for updates, you'll need to use a free program - known as an RSS reader or aggregator - to receive the updates. The RSS reader will automatically alert you to new content and provide you with headlines and a short summary, with links back to the original web site. And you can monitor as many feeds as you want!

For a simple explanation, this short video (by the Common Craft Show) is for people who could save time using RSS, but don't know where to start.

RSS feed buttons can usually be identified by a standard icon: but sometimes they appear as or on a website. Just right-click on the icon to copy and paste the link into your reader.

RSS readers

Free Web readers - and there are plenty of them - include: