 | About RSS Feeds |
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Recent versions of major web browsers and Internet news reader programs (also known as "news aggregators") allow a web user to monitor the posting of new content on numerous websites or blogs automatically. Many news readers are available as freeware or at nominal cost. Generally, they trigger an alert when new content is available, display a headline and provide a direct link to the article or news story. Most resemble email programs and some can be integrated into such email programs as Microsoft's Outlook.
News readers receive their information streams via RSS feeds. RSS ("Rich Site Summary" - occasionally referred to as "Really Simple Syndication") is becoming increasingly popular as a format due to the time it saves in keeping current with several websites daily. Many free or low cost news readers can be downloaded from the Web. A comprehensive list is available at the Open Directory Project.
RSS feeds may also be viewed via specialized websites, which allow you to maintain your own personal set of RSS subscriptions. One such free Web service is Bloglines.
Content in Catholic News Network is distributed in a continuously updated RSS feed available by clicking the orange RSS feed button available throughout the site.
Additional information about news readers and RSS feeds is available in an article entitled, "RSS For Non-Techie Librarians," By Steven M. Cohen at the Library Resource Exchange website.
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