RSS Feeds from The Magic of Cornwall
What is an RSS Feed ?
RSS is a family of web feed formats used to publish frequently updated content such as blog entries, news headlines or podcasts. An RSS document, which is called a "feed", "web feed", or "channel", contains either a summary of content from an associated web site or the full text. RSS makes it possible for people to keep up with their favourite web sites in an automated manner that's easier than checking them manually.
RSS content can be read using software called a "feed reader" or an "aggregator". The user subscribes to a feed by entering the feed's link into the reader or by clicking an RSS icon in a browser that initiates the subscription process. The reader checks the user's subscribed feeds regularly for new content, downloading any updates that it finds. Source : Wikipedia
RSS Feeds and The Magic of Cornwall
Most modern browsers are able to detect an RSS Feed, for example Microsoft Internet Explorer 7+, Firefox 1.5+ or Safari 3+. This site has implemented RSS Feeds so that when an RSS Feed is available from a page, it will be detected by your browser and clicking on the RSS symbol on the browser will bring up a Tab for you to select a feed you can subscribe to.
Why would I want to do this ?
Fed up with email newsletters taking up space in your inbox ? Well RSS acts like a newsletter, but the difference is that you decide if you want to have the communication and just as easily you can unsubscribe, just a matter of deleting the feed from your reader.
An RSS feed keeps you up to date with your favourite websites, telling you when new content has been added. The system works automatically with no further input from you except the initial set-up of the feed.
What can I use to read the feed ?
You can use your browser, although you will need Firefox 1.5+, Internet Explorer 7 or Safari 3+. You can sign up to RSS Feed services through Google, Yahoo or MSN or alternatively you can download a Feedreader and install it on to your computer. This gives you more options in the display of your feed, and you can set it to monitor your feeds at set intervals. I use Feedreader 3+ from www.feedreader.com
Note: Other feedreaders, both standalone and web-based are available. Go to this BBC page for a detailed overview of RSS or better still view this Video which will explain everthing in plain english.
