Ready for a DUMB question?

[l0rca]

I can't figure RSS feeds out. I have google toolbar, and it allows me to have sites input for RSS feeing. The thing is, I don't know if I use the main URL, or one of the "RSS URL"s, like this one:

http://www.pheedo.com/f/newscientist_quantum-world/atom10

Which would I use?

I simply don't know how they work.

[Angus McPresley]

Either should work in my understanding. Usually there's a standard place to look for an RSS feed under a given URL that most RSS aggregators know to look for, so you can just give it the main page, and it'll come back and prompt you usually. Or you can just give it the RSS feed directly. That's at least how BlogLines works.

[bigred]

That's a dumb question? you have a lot to learn about dumb questions. I don't even know what the hell RSS is.

[alfaniner]

That's a dumb question? you have a lot to learn about dumb questions. I don't even know what the hell RSS is.

Seconded -- I've seen those links but never followed up on what they actually are. And I've re-installed my operating system four times, so I'm somewhat computer savvy. I suppose five minutes on Wikipedia might tell me tho...

[Brian Jackson]

WIKI (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RSS)

[bigred]

ah some techie web tripe. I don't feel so stupid now as I realize I don't know because I don't need to. :cool:

[arthwollipot]

It is my strong opinion (and I should know because I work in IT Support) that the only really dumb question is the one that you don't ask.

IE7 has automatic RSS aggregation built-in. If you see the little orange icon, click it and it will automatically create a feed for you that will keep you up to date on changes in the page. It's all automagic.

[kevin]

An RSS feed is a small file on a web site that computer software can download and process to display what is new on that website. THe file typically includes list of new items with a post date/time, title/description, and a link to full content for each item in the list.

Instead of you visiting web sites everyday and browsing around to find new stuff, a feed aggregator can download the file and show you exactly what is new. Most aggregators will track what you've seen already and display just items you haven't visited yet.

BTW, podcasts are just RSS feeds where the link goes to a media file (usually mp3) instead of a web page. Music software can download new items automatically using the link.

[Orangutan]

One time I wrote a script that got The RSS feed from a bunch of news sites and fed the output as input to my "Star Wars" style scrolling text screen saver. It was cool.
I'm just a geek what can I do?
:)

[Trifikas]

It is my strong opinion (and I should know because I work in IT Support) that the only really dumb question is the one that you don't ask.



I work in IT Support, too. When someone asks for training for Adobe Acrobat READER, I'm afraid I have to disagree with you...

Trifikas

[DangerousBeliefs]

I work in IT Support, too. When someone asks for training for Adobe Acrobat READER, I'm afraid I have to disagree with you...



Yeah, I was going to say there are no dumb questions... only dumb people.

"Why isn't my computer working"

"Did you turn it on?"

"Hey, thanks!"

[bigred]

What the last 2 people said.

[l0rca]

What're some quality free aggregators out there?

[alfaniner]

First question for Support to ask: "Is everything plugged in properly?" 90% of the time, tracing this answer will solve the problem.

[arthwollipot]

IE7.

(dons flameproof underwear)

[negativ]

There are lots of feature-ridden RSS readers, but I just use http://reader.google.com.