What is RSS?

RSS (“Really Simple Syndication”) acts as a data format for grouping or organizing content on a website. It permits websites to easily summarize news articles, upcoming events, blogs and other material by generating relevant headlines/captions, abstracts or descriptions attached with a link to the content’s full version. RSS feeds provide readers with efficient, uncluttered access to information that is typically in chronological order, making it even more user-friendly. Simply put, a feed allows readers to subscribe to website material.

How is a feed useful?

A feed is practical in that it offers the reader the most current content on a particular website or website page. It also ensures the reader’s privacy, and it provides them with a time-saving advantage as opposed to having to visit multiple sites and links.

How do I become an RSS user?

To get started you will need the RSS Reader software which verifies RSS feeds and allows you to read any newly added or updated content.

About RSS Readers

RSS Readers, also known as Newsreaders or News Aggregators, can be purchased at a cost or downloaded free-of-charge online, and are compatible with Mac, Windows and Unix. You can find Readers that function as browser plugins with complex browsers or that are complete separate applications/entities.

Here is a list of RSS Readers/Aggregators:

1) Web-based Aggregator: This specific RSS aggregator allows you to access your RSS feed subscriptions from any computer so that you can stay updated.
2) Desktop Aggregator: This is software that is downloaded onto your computer which permits you to store RSS information on that specific computer, similar to when you use Outlook to download emails. (RSS Reader, FeedDemon, Newz Crawler, Vox Lite, Awasu)
3) Integrated Aggregator: This is a browser with RSS features – no additional applications or software is required – that allows you to subscribe to feeds and view and update them. (Firefox, IE 7, Opera, Safari)

Now what?

Now that you’ve selected an RSS Reader and have it set up on your computer, it is up to you to choose what material and content you want fed through the Reader. It is important that you locate pertinent feeds. Once you’ve found them the easiest way to subscribe to those feeds is to copy and paste the feed’s URL into your Reader. It’s as simple as that!  So browse the PTC site and wherever you find the RSS symbol (), click on it to access that page's feed.  Remember each page has its own feed so you can just subscribe to the content that is of interst to you.