RSS is most commonly translated to "really simple syndication". RSS feeds allow you to see when websites have added new content without you having to visit the website where the feeds are contained. Typical feed content is news headlines, announcements or posting of "what's new" content.

Links to feeds or RSS content are typically represented with the orange feed icon (see left). Certain web browsers, including Firefox, Opera and Safari, automatically check for feeds for you when you visit a website, and display this icon near the web address when they find one. This can make subscribing to feeds much easier.

How do I start using feeds?

Feeds can be viewed through software called RSS readers, feed readers or feed aggregators. There are many different types of these applications. Certain web browsers also have this but these usually have limited additional features.

Web-hosted news readers let you catch up with your RSS feed subscriptions from any computer, whereas downloadable applications let you store feed subscription on your computer.

How do I get a feed reader?

There are a number of popular feed reader applications that will work on all computer system types:

Web-hosted applications

Bloglines

Google Reader

Squeet

Applications you download and install (Windows and Mac)

Mozilla Thunderbird