RSS Feeds

RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication. It is a data feed that provides automated notification about when information sources such as blogs and websites have been updated.


The symbol identifying RRS feeds is usually an orange square with white arcs, it may also be a button that says XML, ATOM in white or occur in other variations.

I liked the ease of browsing and adding subscriptions with Google Reader. It also sounds like it is easier to unsubscribe to RSS feeds than it is too many list serves, which will be nice. Although it offers many features and information, it is a simple, clean and easy to navigate interface. I guess that is why we all like Google so much.

I have not actually used Outlook and Google Reader for RSS feeds for a few days yet, but I can see a use for both. I am thinking it might be a good way to organize between should-must read posts and like to read posts. For things like the library’s blogs, for which I should read every post, I think I would subscribe through outlook. That way posts would pop right up in front of me in my email while I am at work. For other things for personal interest and entertainment, I think I would use Google Reader so my inbox is not inundated with posts. Google Reader also seems like it has great features to keep thing organized.

I already had set up my own page with iGoogle. I like that you can customize the look and you can put things you use regularly right at your fingertips. I just added the Google reader to my iGoogle page, which was new to me, and I believe it will convert me into a regular blog reader. I didn’t find anything I disliked about it except some of the gadgets were not for me, but it is so easy to add them, try them and then remove then if you don’t like them.

I found most of the feeds easy to find, except why Google would put their RSS feed at the bottom of a long page, for their Health News page, is a little baffling. I have not subscribed to any of the sites mentioned at this time, but I did browse with Google Reader and added sites I thought would particularly interest me. I also added my classmates’ blogs, the Web 2.0 blog and the library blogs.