What is an XML Feed, also known as RSS (Really Simple Syndication)?

As well as getting new information by email, you can get updates directly to your desktop through an XML feed. By adding that feed to an XML news reader or a browser (for instructions on how to do this see below) you can get all the news from this blog, as soon as it is posted without having to do anything at all

What is XML?
How do I start using XML feeds?
Getting an XML news reader
Using Mozilla Firefox or Internet Explorer 7

What is XML?

XML is a markup language like HTML, and is being used more and more on the internet. There are two main types of XML feeds, RSS and Atom. RSS stands for 'Really Simple Syndication', and all XML feeds are commonly referred to as RSS, although this is not strictly correct. This blog uses Atom. XML feeds are designed to be read by a special program on your computer, which is normally (and confusingly) referred to as an RSS reader. It is in fact an XML news reader and that is the term used here.

An news reader allows you to view new content on sites over the internet. You can get the latest headlines and articles in one place, as soon as they are published, without having to visit several sites a day.

How do I start using XML feeds?

You will need a news reader that checks XML feeds from your selected websites and lets you read any new articles that have been added to them.

There are 2 ways to do this:

An XML news reader such as RssReader. Very easy to install and use. You can set it up to check for jobs every hour for example. You can also set up a pop up to appear on your PC when a new piece of news arrives.
A web browser: Mozilla Firefox or Internet Explorer 7.

An XML news reader

Download the FREE RssReader application from http://www.rssreader.com/.

Click on "download". Click on "download rssreader.exe" and follow the instructions on your screen. There will now be a folder in your C Drive under "applications" called "RssReader". Launch the reader by clicking on the icon that looks like this:

Now you will see a small icon at the bottom right of your screen in the system tray which looks like this:

toolbar

Open your reader by double clicking on the system tray icon and you are ready to go.

The next step is to decide what content you want to receive in your news reader, by finding and subscribing to the relevant RSS feeds. Many websites now have an orange XML, RSS or Atom button in various places to make this easy for you.

Place the mouse arrow on the icon and click the right mouse button, then choose "Copy Shortcut".

Start RssReader and go to add(+) channel/feed and then paste (click right mouse button) the url and click 'next',' next' and finally 'ok'.

There are other news readers. If you would like to try another one, or if you are using a Mac, you can search for "rss reader" on Google and you will find many choices. Just follow the instructions on your reader as they will vary between types of readers.

Using Mozilla Firefox or Internet Explorer 7

Another way to check for RSS news feeds is to use a modern web browser. Firefox and IE7 can deal with XML feeds without a separate news reader, and both give full instructions about how to do this.