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What is RSS?
RSS stands for Rich Site Summary, also called Really Simple Syndication. It’s basically a format allowing you access to a page on a website which lists the latest updates to that site. The URL for that page is known as an RSS feed. By using specialized software called a feed reader, you can access and monitor the RSS feed of any site you wish. When updates are made to that site and/or RSS feed, your feed reader will let you know. Why Use RSS? You may be thinking, "Well I already receive email notices when you publish a new Chief Joseph Newsletter or other news. Why should I use RSS?" There are several excellent reasons for using RSS: 1. The curse of spam and spam filters. You’re probably painfully aware of the double-edged sword email has become, thanks to spam. Once touted as a boon to publishers and their readers, email has now become a real burden to many. ISPs (internet service providers) are combating spam in every way they know how. And they’ve gotten pretty good at it. The problem with that is much legitimate email, email you’ve asked to receive, is often caught in the spam filters. Even double-opt-in newsletters like ours (those you’ve subscribed to and confirmed) are often never delivered. Some studies indicate from 17% to 38% of opt-in email never reaches the clients. RSS is spam-proof. 2. RSS is quick. Your feed reader monitors all the RSS feeds you’ve told it to. And it updates itself at whatever intervals you've selected. (I use 3 hours for my feed reader.) As soon as we update our website with the current newsletter or other news, those updates are immediately available to your feed reader. 3. RSS information is in summary form. You can access only the information you’re interested in. We send only a link and a summary of each newsletter or other news item. You no longer need to check your email or our website for the latest information or newsletters. This is much faster and easier for you than using your email or your Web browser. How Do I Get Started with RSS? 1. Get a feed reader. There are plenty of feed readers available today, and many are free. Here are some good ones: For Windows, there’s FeedDemon. We use this. It's one of today's top-rated feed readers, created by the very talented software developer, Nick Bradbury. For Macs, check out NetNewsWire. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to get NetNewsWire Lite, the free version. For Linux, check Liferea. For more feed readers, check here for Windows, and here for Macs. 2. If you'd prefer not to get a stand-alone feed reader, there are alternatives. You can get an "add-on" for your browser. These add-ons incorporate feed readers into your browser. Check here for Mozilla Firefox and here for Apple Safari. 3. Set up your feed reader and start subscribing to RSS feeds. It’s pretty simple and easy. Don’t be afraid of this technology -- if you can master email (as you already have), you can easily master RSS. 4. If you want to learn more about feed readers, here
are some resources. To learn how to read RSS feeds, go to:
Conclusion For our current subscribers, you can simply start using RSS in addition to the email newsletters. Or you can do nothing, and just continue to receive our email newsletters. It’s completely up to you. If you're new to us, you can subscribe to our email newsletter by sending your request to this address. Or you can use RSS, as explained above. We definitely will continue the email newsletters. And we will continue publishing all newsletters on our website. However, I urge you to seriously consider RSS. If you enjoy our newsletters, RSS will assure you receive them every week. Email can no longer give you that assurance. If you need help or have questions, email me at this address
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