RSS Tutorial

What is RSS?

RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication and it allows you to have a web site's content automatically downloaded to your computer or MP3 player.

What does it do?

The real benefit of using RSS is that the web comes to you. Instead of checking regularly for new content from a favorite web site you can simply subscribe to their RSS feed and thereby receive the updated content automatically. This content can include text, photos and even audio files (often called Podcasts) that will play on your MP3 player.

How Can I Start To Use RSS?

If you want to take advantage of RSS feeds from web sites you will need to download a piece of software called an aggregator (also called news readers and feed readers). Some are even available as web based applications. The aggregator organizes and downloads all of your RSS feeds from different web sites. These feeds are called channels (think of TV channels). When you select a channel you will see all of the newest messages from that site.

Where Can I Find an RSS Aggregator?

Search the web for "RSS Aggregator" or "RSS Feed Reader" and you will find many to choose from. If all you want to do is listen to Podcasts (MP3s) then iTunes is a top choice (and you don't even need an iPod to use it). Some good RSS readers are RSS Bandit and RSS Owl.

How Can I Tell if a Site has an RSS Feed?  

The standard symbol for RSS is or . You may also see the podcast icon above (next to the title of this paragraph. If you find any of these buttons on a site you can be sure they have an RSS feed. There may be some variations of these buttons as well.

On our site we use the symbols;

to point to the iTunes podcast subscription link.
to signify the RSS link to use for MP3 audio files.
to signify the RSS link to use for WMA audio files.

How do I use it on the First Baptist Church site?

To subscribe to the podcast using iTunes, first download and install the iTunes software.
Then click the button.

To subscribe to the RSS feeds when using an aggregator, first determine which audio format you wish to use (wma or mp3). Locate the appropriate RSS feed symbol, right click the button and select 'Copy Shortcut' from the drop down box. Then paste the copied link into the URL (or feed) box in your feed reader program. Just follow the instructions that came with your aggregator to add the RSS feed as a channel.