Debbie Weil's feeds
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What is a feed?
Perhaps you've seen the feed (aka RSS) icon at left and you're wondering what it's all about. You've come to the right place! This icon tells you there is some sort of content (blog posts, audio, or even video) to which you can subscribe and read/listen/watch using a program called a "feed reader." What does that have to do with you? Well, if you've ever bookmarked a site so you could go back and visit again later, you understand the motivation to "see what's new." When you subscribe to a feed, the new information comes to you (via your feed reader) rather than you having to check back. Even better, it's automatic. When there's new information, you're alerted right away. You don't have to remember to visit the site. You might want to check out Debbie's RSS 101: "Really Simple" 5-Step Guide to Get Started.
How do I use a feed?
There are many different feed readers to choose from. You can use one that's "Web-based" meaning that you visit the feed reader site to see all of your latest information. This is very handy if you use more than one computer. The service may even be part of a site you already use (like My Yahoo!). Or you can download a program to your computer, like NetNewsWire for Mac which Debbie uses. You open your newsreader program and scan the new headlines when you want to read your feeds. Google has a comprehensive list of feed readers, but if you want to get started right away, we recommend the following Web-based feed readers:
All of these feed reader sites are excellent; it's just a matter of choosing one that appeals to you. Once you're set up with your feed reader of choice, you can click on any RSS icon (or newsreader icon like the ones above) and subscribe to that feed. If there is an interim page with instructions (a best practice that we highly recommend) it will walk you through the process of subscribing to the feed. If you're using a feed reader that isn't shown, you can copy the feed address (find it in your Web browser's address bar after you click the feed link), and your feed reader will add the new feed. Here's the best part: once you've subscribed, just check in with your feed reader periodically (some folks do it every morning), and you'll automatically see the newest information from Debbie. - Sarah Lewis (Debbie's Web designer)
