The term “RSS feed” looks scary, and very technical, it really is not.
If you can use email, you can use an RSS feed! Here is a conversation between Reluctant RSS Feed User and Enthusiastic Convert:
(If you still have questions after reading this primer, mosey on over to the TravelPod forums and ask me anything!)
Reluctant User: I’ve been hearing a lot about these new-fangled doohickies, RSS feeds. What in tarnation is an RSS feed for?
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Enthusiastic Convert: RSS feeds are for reading blogs, news and frequently updated websites, such as www.travelpod.com
R: Why do I need RSS feeds if I can just visit each website individually? I have all the websites bookmarked in my browser already, it’s easy!
E: Because it’s faster and even easier than bookmarks! An RSS feed reader collects all of your favourite blogs and websites into one place, and with a single glance, you can tell which ones have been updated in the past day, week, month or whenever. The format is very similar to an email browser such as Thunderbird or Outlook. On TravelPod, every blogger has an RSS feed, even if they haven’t started their blog yet. By adding your RSS feed, your friends can stay updated on your travels without getting a bazillion emails every time you leave town.
R: OK, sounds interesting, how do I get started?
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E: Good! My favourite RSS feed browser (and the most popular one on the web) is FeedDemon, you can find it at this website. Download the software, and sign up for an account. Then you can start transferring your “oh-so-2005″ bookmarks to your RSS feed browser.
R: Wait! Not so fast, how do I know if my favourite sites even have RSS feeds?!
E: Calm down, you can subscribe to any site that has a logo that looks like this: 
Usually, you can just click on the little orange logo, and it will auto-magically open FeedDemon. Then, you’re only a few clicks away from subscribing to updates. As I said before, every blog on TravelPod has its own RSS feed. Try adding some of our most popular blogs to FeedDemon by clicking on this orange logo next time you are reading one of them.
R: OK, I checked, and my favourite non-TravelPod site doesn’t have an RSS Feed! Arg!
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E: I hate to break it to you, but if your favourite site doesn’t have an RSS feed yet, it’s probably not a website you should get your daily news from. Chances are, the site is out of date, and it isn’t updated very regularly.
R: But I know this site is updated all the time!
E: If you know for a fact that the site is updated regularly, you should contact the administrators and ask them if they have an RSS feed. Perhaps they will create one after you ask for it. Chances are, you aren’t the first person to ask.
R: Thank you Enthusiastic Convert, for liberating me from the confines of web browser bookmarks!
E: You are more than welcome, no-longer-reluctant RSS Feed User!
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(Cue big cheesy smiles, bear hug, freeze frame and cheap synth music. End scene.)
You’re not the only one who doesn’t understand RSS feeds, visit our forums to ask questions and find out how to use them!
Are you ready to subscribe to some blogs? Why not add my blog to your feed reader? Or browse some of our popular blogs and add them. After you’ve found one that you like, click on the orange logo and get yourself updated!
Louise Brown
TravelPod Community Manager
Tags: blogs, feed reader, FeedDemon, RSS feed
March 29, 2008 at 11:01 pm |
Thanks for telling me about RSS feeds, I have been wondering often what it was and figured it ran across the top of my screen or something like that.
I hope you write about them in a year or so when I have my new computer and LOTS of room, am soon out of space so have to watch myself. I am new to TravelPod News and it looks a good web site to follow. I love to travel and off to Singapore, Malayasia and Thailand in 10 days for two months.
March 30, 2008 at 9:01 am |
Not sure if I qualify to be here ? I’m an arm chair traveler., if I had money I would be a reality traveler….sigh! There are so many places I would love to see in this world. At least this way I can travel vicariously. It’s better then not at all. I love to hear all about peoples travels. The world is full of wonders….and wonderful people.
March 30, 2008 at 9:33 am |
Thanks,
My problem is how do I put that thing on my blog so people can get feeds from me? In this case I am the supplier of information. I have two other blogs I would like to fix it to as well. Please accept my great age for my technical incompetence;
Regards
April 2, 2008 at 12:35 pm |
Blake, no problem, have you figured it all out yet? Let me know if you need any help. Have a great time in the South East, hope you write a travelblog about it!
Pat: Of course you qualify to be here! There are all kinds of blogs on TravelPod that can satisfy your craving for adventure, without even leaving your seat.
Christopher: What kind of blog do you have? If you have a TravelPod blog, it’s all automatic, you already have an RSS feed right on your profile page on the left hand side of your screen. If you have a WordPress blog, it’s also automatic and you will probably find the feed on the right hand side of your screen.
Louise Brown
TravelPod Community Manager