RSS Tutorial

Select an RSS Reader

Summary

To subscribe and read RSS feeds you need an RSS feed reader. RSS feed readers are also called News Aggregators, Feed Readers, Feed Aggregators or News Readers.

RSS Feed Readers subscribe, read and display RSS feeds.
RSS Feed Readers are plentiful.
RSS Feed Readers are of various types for individual preferences.
RSS Feed Readers are being created for various special functions.

One of the ways to learn about RSS is to pick a reader, subscribe to RSS Feeds, and experience how RSS works.

Detail

What RSS Feed readers do.

Each RSS feed reader provides the same basic functionality:

Subscribes to RSS feed. Each RSS feed reader has its own method for subscribing to feeds.
Reads the RSS feed on a regular schedule to see if there is anything new.
Displays all the new items.

There are lots of RSS feed readers.

There are dozens if not hundreds of RSS Feed Readers. Here are several directories of RSS Feed Readers just to show the number and variety of RSS feed readers that are available.

Some basic types of RSS Readers.

Many of the portals now include the ability to add RSS feeds. These are the "My" sites.

Examples:

My Yahoo - the most popular way to get RSS feeds.
My MSN - allows RSS feeds to be added.
My AOL - members only but RSS feeds are permitted.
Personalized Google Homepage - add RSS feeds to the Google Homepage

Use a portal to read RSS feeds if:

You are already using the portal.
You want to read just a few RSS feeds.
You want an easy way to subscribe to your own feed.
Do not use a portal for a large number of RSS feeds.

Web-based RSS Feed Readers.

Examples:

Bloglines - one of the most popular, finely crafted.
Google Reader - Google continues to add functionality.

Use a web-based RSS feed reader if:

You access your RSS feeds from different computers.
You prefer to work on web-based systems.

Desktop based RSS feed readers that are downloaded and installed on the desktop.

Examples:

Feed Demon - for Windows.
NetNewsWire - for the Mac OS X.
Straw - for Linux.

Use a desktop RSS feed reader if:

You access your RSS Feeds from one computer.
You like to download your RSS feeds to read later.

Outlook based products

The latest version of Outlook has built in RSS support. Earlier Versions of Outlook need an add-on.

Examples:

Use an Outlook add-on if:

You use Outlook extensively.
You want a universal inbox for email and RSS feeds.
You like the option to download your RSS feeds to read later.

Reference

Office Hours: Outlook and RSS: A match made in syndication

RSS Readers - Evaluations

Some articles that evaluate and compare RSS Readers.

RSS Readers - Special Functions

NewsGator for IPhone: NewsGator announced the release of NewsGator Mobile for iPhone, a free newsreader that takes advantage of the unique design and user interface of Apple's wildly popular new device.
RSS To Speech Gadget: This gadget downloads RSS feeds from any Web sites and then reads them using Text-to-Speech and shows the feeds on a good-looking black screen. After installation the program will use default computer's voice.
RSS Ticker: RSS Ticker loads your Live Bookmarks and scrolls their entries across your screen while you surf. It's perfect for staying informed without having to actively browse entries in an RSS reader.
Feed Crier: Get the latest news, weather, blogs, and more delivered free to your instant messenger. There's nothing to download or install, no spam, and never any spyware.
RSS-to-Email Comparison Review - FeedBurner, FeedBlitz, Zookoda, AWeber: This is a review of products and services that convert RSS Feeds to Email, giving the security of RSS Feeds delivered in the familiar email technology.