RSS is an acronym for "Really Simple Syndication" and is an XML-based protocol for sharing news and feature information through the internet. XML is a generic specification for the creation of data formats.
One of the challenges with Web sites is that they can (and do) frequently post new information that is important to you, such as breaking news, weather events or interesting articles, but unless you happen to visit the website frequently you will not be aware of this new information.
RSS creates a way for the information to be "pushed" to you, in a straightforward text format, using an internet device called an "RSS reader" or "aggregator." Some browsers now natively support RSS feeds, and there are third party software packages you can download for free to get RSS feeds.
You subscribe to a newsfeed by entering the feed's link into your reader or by clicking an RSS icon in a browser that initiates the subscription process. The feed reader checks the user's subscribed feeds regularly for new content, downloading any updates that it finds.
RSS makes it possible for people to keep up with their favorite web sites in an automated manner that's easier than checking them manually.
The initials "RSS" are used to refer to the following formats:
© 2007 Amateur Radio Watch
