This article is written towards Toastmasters International certification requirements.
How do you look for information? Do you use Google to find information? How do you read news on the internet? Do you go to CNN.com or BBC.com or a similar news website? What other websites do you go to? What are your interests? Do you like photography? Where do you get latest news and learn techniques?
What if I told you rather than going to websites everyday to get new information, read news or learn about your hobby, you can force the information you need, to come to you? In next 2 minutes or so, you can learn the basics about how to organize your information, start saving time and stop running around information you need.
What is RSS?
RSS is Really Simple Syndication. In plain English, you identify what information you need and from which website or blog. Then you “subscribe” to the blog or website and start getting the information. This sounds very simple and in fact the idea is very simple but it does wonders. RSS link is also called “Feed”, so if you read “get the feed” what it meant is “here’s the place to get the code.”
Why use RSS?
Rather than chasing the information all over the internet to find an object, RSS technology can get this information to you. So now you don’t have to browse through plethora of waste sites and websites with pop-up trying to sell stuff. Skip the pain of looking around and relax. Let the information come to you.
How to identify RSS?
Before bouncing with all the excitement and starting to hit the keyboard or smack your mouse, wait! First let me show you how to identify the RSS. Below are some commonly used icons/pictures to show a RSS feed is present on the blog/website. Below are the two most commons pictures to identify if RSS is available.
There are lot of other ways to show that the website provides RSS feed. Many websites have a huge collection of different symbols, icons, pictures to show that they provide RSS. However, the one common thing in all these symbols is the dot and two arcs above that.
What’s coming?
In the next part of this article, I will explain the basics of getting started with RSS and will show how to set up your first RSS feed.
Your Thoughts and Questions?
Please provide your thoughts and comments and tell me what you would like to hear in the presentation. Do you have any specific question? Ask it below and I’ll address that in the meeting on Tuesday 5/26.
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