What is RSS?
RSS ("Rich Site Summary," or "Really Simple Syndication") is a format for delivering frequently-updated web content. Many news-related sites, blogs and other content providers are now distributing news, articles, blog posts, etc. through RSS "feeds."

Why should I use RSS?
RSS helps you to stay informed without having to visit a large number of websites every day. You can go to one place and read up-to-date content from all the websites that you are interested in. RSS is becoming more and more widely available; for example, Yahoo News has an RSS feed now.

How can I use RSS?
First, you will need a feed reader or news aggregator.

Many FREE feed readers are now available for Windows, Mac and Linux. Try FeedReader (for Windows) or Amphetadesk (for Windows, Linux, or Mac).

A more popular option is to use one of the FREE web-based feed readers available, like Google Reader or Bloglines. Web-based feed readers are great because you can read your collection of RSS feeds from any computer with an internet connection.

After your feed reader is all set up, you can start finding sites that offer RSS feeds. Many sites display a small icon (usually orange) with the acronyms RSS, XML, or RDF to let you know that a feed is available. When you spot one, you can add the feed to the list of feeds your feed reader checks.

When you click on an RSS feed, if your screen looks like this, you are missing proper RSS software.

The feed should look like this; nicely formated summaries of recent articles.