In our recent surveys we discovered that some of our readers were not familiar with RSS feeds. So we have created these FAQs to answer your questions about RSS in plain English.

Q: What is RSS?

A: RSS is a super-convenient way for you to be alerted to the latest news and posts from our blogs. You can go to a single website or screen on your desktop — called a feedreader — and read the feeds from multiple blogs and sites, all in one place.

All our blogs here at Creative Weblogging offer RSS feeds. You simply copy the feed URL for the blog you are interested in, and paste it into the appropriate place in your favorite feedreader.

After you have subscribed, all the updated news will appear in your feedreader screen. You can quickly scan the feed for new headlines and decide which ones to click on and come over to the blog to read.

Q: What are some feedreader programs?

A: Dozens of feedreader programs exist. They come in the form of (i) software programs that you download to your desktop, or (ii) online services. Some of the more popular options include My MSN, My Yahoo, Bloglines, Feedgator and FeedDemon. Even Google has gotten into the act, with Google Reader.

Q: I tried copying and pasting the RSS feed's URL into a Web browser address bar, but it will not let me open that URL. Why not?

A: RSS feeds are meant to be read by RSS-aware software, and are not formatted for the human eye. If the URL is placed into an RSS-aware program, i.e., a feedreader, then it will become easily readable.

Q: What do the letters "RSS" stand for?

A: RSS stands for "really simple syndication." That phrase simply refers to a technical standard for distributing information.

Q: What's with the orange RSS button?

A: The orange button with the letters RSS visually signals where to find the URL of the blog's feed.


When you see this button, you know that you can place your mouse cursor over it, right click on it, copy the feed URL, and then paste it into whatever feedreader program you use. By tradition this button is usually orange.

Q: What are all the other buttons?

A: They are one-click subscribe buttons.


Assume for a moment that you use My Yahoo to read headlines and other content. If you are on a blog and click the one-click button for My Yahoo, it is programmed to take you directly to a page where you can automatically subscribe to the feed for that blog in your My Yahoo screen. You subscribe with a single click or two, saving you time.

Once you have subscribed, when you check back at My Yahoo periodically you will see the updated headlines for that blog. We offer similar buttons to subscribe to other popular feedreaders.

Q: What is a Web feed and is that different from an RSS feed?

A: A "Web feed" is the new term that is replacing the term "RSS feed." Different words, same thing. The new terminology will help eliminate the technical jargon surrounding RSS feeds today.

This button is the new button being used to designate a Web feed.

If you use the Firefox browser you will notice this little Web feed button appears in the lower right corner of your screen to designate that the blog you are on has a feed. It lets you bookmark the feed URL in Firefox, too.

Q: What if I am not ready to use RSS feeds?

A: You may wish to sign up for our EMAIL Newsletters instead. They are also a convenient way to stay up to date on new postings, delivered right to your inbox in the form of a weekly newsletter. We promise we will never sell or rent your email address — ever. Look at the top right column of each blog for the box that says Newsletter, enter your email address and click the Subscribe button.