UNFPA RSS News Feeds

• What are they and why would I use them?
• How do I 'subscribe' to RSS feeds?
• What's the difference between subscribing to feeds and subscribing to e-mail updates?
• What are some software programs for reading and organizing RSS feeds?

What are they and why would I use them?

RSS (Really Simple Syndication) is a standard format for delivering any kind of web content as a 'news feed'. There are many third-party software applications for reading and organizing news feeds; these allow users to very quickly scan a number of feeds to check for updates or interesting new content. Instead of having to visit every site you want to keep up-to-date with, wading through each web interface, the RSS application allows you to just tab through the news feeds that you 'subscribe' to; the feeds are displayed succinctly so you can scan quickly.

How do I 'subscribe' to RSS feeds?

A user subscribes to a news feed by entering a special URL into his or her news-reading program. These special URLs are usually available on compliant sites by right-clicking on icons with names like 'RSS', 'XML' or 'syndicate this site' and copying the special link location.

The screenshot below shows an example of quickly reading through two UNFPA news feeds (in this case using FeedDemon, which lets you use the arrow keys to move through feeds and posts). Click on the image to view a full-size version.

What's the difference between subscribing to RSS feeds and subscribing to e-mail updates?

For users, the main difference is that subscribing to an RSS feed does not require any personal information, not even an e-mail address. There are no subscription forms to fill out, and no risk of your e-mail address being distributed to others. If you want to unsubscribe from the feed, you just remove the feed URL from your RSS reader program.

What are some software programs for reading and organizing RSS feeds?

There are two basic approaches to reading and organizing your feeds. You can use a desktop program to download and store your feeds, or you can use a web-based reader to store your feeds online, allowing you to access them from any computer with an Internet connection.

Mozilla Thunderbird is an example of a desktop RSS reader. It is actually an e-mail application that also lets you read RSS feeds. Download Mozilla Thunderbird (it's free) and then see the instructions for subscribing to RSS.

Bloglines is an example of a web-based RSS reader. It is a free online service for searching, subscribing, creating and sharing news feeds, blogs and rich web content. With Bloglines, there is no software to download or install. You simply register as a new user and you can instantly begin accessing your account any time, from any computer or mobile device. Go to the Bloglines website to setup a free account.

MyYahoo! is another example of a web-based RSS reader.

To get started with MyYahoo!, go to http://www.my.yahoo.com and initiate an account.

1. From the MyYahoo! start page, click "Add Content"
2. Click "Add RSS by URL"
3. Cut and paste the URL of the desired RSS feed (examples below) into the blank field and click "Add"
4. The feed will be verified, click "Add to MyYahoo!" to finish

New and innovative ways to use RSS feeds are emerging all the time. For example, some browsers such as Mozilla Firefox, allow you to display RSS feeds as "Live Bookmarks" -- the latest headlines from the news feed are displayed in your bookmarks menu. For instructions on how to subscribe to RSS feeds using Firefox, see the tutorial. Searching the Internet can provide more information on various RSS applications and uses.