The problem is the Internet is big. Really, really big.
It is so big, it is hard to keep track off just the small bits of it you are interested in (those small bits always seem to get bigger as the Internet itself gets bigger). You surf around a bit, find a site that is interesting, add it to your bookmarks so you can come back when it is updated again, and the next thing you know, you have 1000 bookmarks.
Worse yet, you have no idea which websites have been updated. You find yourself spending a lot of time visiting sites and finding that nothing new has been posted or that the latest post is not what your interested in anyways. So, you go the the next site where you find the same thing. Finally, you find one of your favorite sites has something new and exciting. Now you only have 997 more sites to check.
“Space,” it says, “is big. Really big. You just won’t believe how vastly, hugely, mindbogglingly big it is. I mean, you may think it’s a long way down the road to the chemist’s, but that’s just peanuts to space, listen…”
-Douglas Adams, The Hitchhiker’s Guide To the Galaxy
There are those that predict the Internet will eventually contain the sum total of mankind’s knowledge.
With all the stuff on the Internet that is wildly made up, inaccurate, or just a plain old lie, I’d say there is already many times the sum knowledge of man here already. Even if we haven’t actually gotten all the real knowledge converted to the bits and bytes of digital storage. There is a lot of cool stuff you may want to keep track of and it can quickly become a lot of work and cause all that information overload thing people like to talk about.
So how can you keep track of all the things that interest you on the Internet?
Well, some sites offer an email subscription. Unfortunately, not all do. Plus, if you subscribe to too many sites in your email, you end up with a lot of email to get through before you find the mail your friends and family send you. You may miss that email about the most important meeting you have to attend in your life because there were too many email updates from basketweavingforlife24hoursaday.com (or something else that momentarily caught your attention – and no, I hope that is not a real site).
Wouldn’t it be cool if there was a simple way to keep track of when all your favorite Internet sites were updated?
What if you could just go to one place and see a list of all the sites you are interested in that have been updated? What if you could see what the latest posts were and if they were interesting without having to visit each one? What if this was done all automatically?
[mc src="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xYqFRfeKKQ" type="youtube"]Make Your Web More Fun and Productive With RSS Feeds[/mc]
You wouldn’t need to visit all 1000 sites one by one. It would save you hours and hours. All the updated sites would be listed in one place with a description of the article or the whole article. It just might make the Internet fun again. You could leave your email for more important communicating instead of just receiving basket weaving tips. You might even be able to find more websites that interest you (there are probably thousands of basket weaving sites) on the Internet and still keep track of them.
This is an RSS Feed Icon Click to Subscribe
What you are looking for exists in RSS feeds.
RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication. RSS feeds have be around for a while and yet many (mabybe most) people don’t know what they are or what they do. They make it a simple matter to subscribe to a website you want to follow. Sites that offer a feed (as RSS feeds or subscriptions are often called) usually have the orange RSS icon in a prominent place on the page. In Firefox and Internet Explorer you can subscribe to a sites feed from the bookmarks or favorites menu (Internet Explorer has an RSS icon in the command bar that you can use to subscribe to a feed also). With Google Chrome you have to click on an RSS feed icon on the site. There is an extension (by Google) to add an RSS icon in the address bar whenever there is a feed available.
RSS Icon In Google Chrome Omnibar
Then clicking on the address bar RSS icon will subscribe you.
Clicking the RSS icon will allow you to subscribe to the feed.
Once you click on the icon, you will be able to choose the feed reader or service you use. You are then subscribed to the feed and the feed reader or service you use will automatically collect the updates. You just need to visit the RSS reader service or open up the reader you use and any updates from any sites you subscribe to will be ready for you to read. If you ever get tired of the feeds you are subscribed to, just unsubscribe and your reader will no longer add that site to the list that it checks for new feeds.
The concept of subscribing to RSS feeds is different than subscribing to an email update or email list.
The feed is not sent to you like an email. Your RSS reader or service collects them for you. It is not like giving your email address out to some site that you can never get to stop sending you spam. You don’t give any information to the site when you subscribe to an RSS feed. When you cancel an RSS subscription, there is no way for the site to keep contacting you. Also, your RSS reader is usually only used for feeds from sites. You don’t have to worry about clogging up your email account with stuff that is nice to know but not as important as that email from your mom about her latest basket weaving class.
You can also do a few other fun things with RSS feeds.
You can add RSS feeds to your Yahoo, Windows Live, or iGoogle home page. Adding too many to these home pages would probably clutter them up too much as they are not designed for it, but one or two important or favorite feeds can be very convenient on a home page.
Podcasts (the Internet name for online audio posts or talk shows) are often distributed via RSS. If you don’t want to use iTunes you can often directly subscribe to the RSS feed for a podcast so you know when the next podcast is ready. You can even subscribe to a YouTube channel RSS feed (mine is at http://www.youtube.com/user/shokthx ). Never miss an update of your favorite YouTube channel again.
RSS feeds can really help you get control of the Web.
They can save you time. They can help you sort out the interesting from the not-so-interesting from the really cool. They make it easy to sort through all the information on the Internet without information overload. RSS feeds help you keep connected to the sites that interest you.
In the next post, we will look at how to actually subscribe to an RSS feed and some of the options you have for readers and services.
Of course, I’d invite you to subscribe to this site either by RSS or by email (just enter your first name and email in the newsletter box on the upper right of the page) so you can keep track of all the cool things were are going to be learning about computers and the Internet here.
Dive, don’t just surf the internet or worse, serf.
I totally agree with you. RSS is a really good feature if you use it in correct way. Which I’ve done for years. But in my opinion, there are some problems with RSS as well.
For example if you’re using different web browsers with different built-in readers. And the worst thing, Google Chrome doesn’t even have an RSS reader!
I rely heavily on NetNewsWire and Google Reader, 2 very useful applications. NNW is cool because it has the iPhone and iPad apps as well. But be careful, it’s easy to overload yourself on RSS feeds as well. What would be someone who curated the best blog posts from within a given niche.
I have seen RSS feed option at many places and I really liked some of those blogs. But, only because I thought they would fill my email inbox with junk emails and updates that I didn’t subscribe. Now my misconceptions seem to have faded away. I should subscribe and save my time instead of checking the links again and again to watch the responses to my comments. Thanks a lot.
Once I really liked a site and subscribed by entering my name and email id. Soon I realized that I made a mistake because my inbox got packed of emails I had no interest in. Then I never subscribed and preferred to bookmark. RSS made things really easy for me. Now I keep myself updated without having to bear the pain of unwanted emails. RSS really helps.
Great post. And great blog! Easy to understand, like you said it would be (on your last blog)
I’m going to RSS it now! There’s much to learn.
I usually subscribe to RSS feeds. Well, believe me guys it does help. And don’t compare them to subscribing emails etc. That’s really irritating I know. You must try new things and take their full advantage. Do try RSS feeds at least once and then decide for yourself. I am sure you would not regret and enjoy the function a lot.
When I participate in discussions on various websites then definitely feel the urge to read what others have commented on my opinion and added to my knowledge bank. But subscriptions didn’t do good because instead of welcoming junk emails it’s better to bookmark and check the site twice or thrice a day for any updates. However, after using RSS feeds things have become easier. I can get updates early and do not miss out much. At least for me they are of great help.
I agree that RSS feeds. We generally tell about our products and share technology and tips on various sites. It is vital for us to know what people have written about our products and services and what new tips have come up. The tips may helps us in replying to various queries. For consumer feedback and marketing, RSS feeds really make things easier.
Subscriptions are nothing but a pain. I get e-mail notifications when anybody comments on the website that I have subscribed to. I am interested in knowing how people respond to my opinion and not on anybody’s one line simple “thanks” comment! My email is packed with such emails and all i could do is create a filter and get rid of them. RSS feeds sound relieving!
Hi Akbar. I understand your situation because I have gone through the same. I am mainly into scientific communities where we discuss various topics. Logging in every time is not that easy and I may miss many comments because when they increase in number I don’t feel like reading all of them! RSS feeds are a relief. Now, I may take a break and check sites, while continuing with my routine work.
My experience with RSS feeds has been quite good so far. It helps me in being up to date and read the opinions of fellow commenters. It helps me broaden my perspective and it is nice to share and learn. It cannot be compared to what we discuss at social networking websites because here the atmosphere is already created and some one or the other definitely atkes the discussion forward.
I have been using RSS feeds and find them convenient. At one chick you reach where you want to and get the necessary updates without bothering to check them every times. While at work, they are a real help. Few updates are important and reading late can lead to losing a prospective client and loss of revenues. Better to keep one updated.
I have never used RSS feeds but quite convinced after reading their benefits here. I do participate in few scientific discussions, and the tips that I get there really help me with my PhD thesis and consequent research. I guess these RSS feeds would help me update easily while continuing working on my PC. I may view the feeds when necessary and resume my routine work. Sounds great!
Well, I have never used RSS feeds so far. I can’t say that I don’t need a thing like that because the 21st century demands all to remain updated. I guess I should give it a try and see if it really works for me.
I guess it is better than bookmarking the page. I generally forget after bookmarking and then when I check for updates it is a boring process and most of the times I find myself out of the loop. RS feeds sound better. Would give it a try.
I have already tried it and I definitely love it…Thanks for the additional information…
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I never really understand what that button is for not until now anyways. It sounds like a very convenient tool. I guess it’s much better than bookmarking. I will give this a shot. Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you for this article!! I keep seeing people mention RSS feeds but I wasn’t really familiar with them, then I went on the RSS feed site to read up on it yesterday but it didn’t break down the info into something as easily understandable as your article.
I found that RSS made things truly easy for me. I always keep myself updated without having to bear the pain of unnecessary emails. RSS really a big help.
gracia19´s last [type] ..How to Lose Weight in Stomach Area
I keep wanting to get into this RSS thing but haven’t done it yet, I suppose I can try it with a few sites. Is it weird that the internet scares me sometimes?? I like that you can put some of the feeds on your homepage cause I usually don’t like to go looking for articles, I read whatever shows up on my homepage and looks good.
I think that I agree with those predictions that the internet will eventually contain the sum total of mankind’s knowledge.
RSS is a great feature that would allow you to stay updated with posts that you have previously subscribed to without sabotaging your email inbox. I find this really amazing.
Thanks for the information here.
Alice Archer´s last [type] ..Email Marketing Forum
I use RSS most of the time when subscribing to several blog posts that I am interested in. This is really a very helpful tool without having to go through your inbox and search for the content in which you have previously subscribed to.
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