FAQ About RSS

Do the University Libraries have a blog?
Yes. In fact we have several blogs available for viewing in your web browser or news reader via RSS/XML. The list of all blogs and associated RSS feed links are found on the Libraries' RSS feeds page.

What is a blog?
A blog, or Weblog, is an online journal with generally frequent, brief postings. Blog sites often feature postings in reverse chronological order with a time/date stamp and a way to search or browse older postings.

What is RSS?
Really Simple Syndication (RSS) is an XML-based format for distributing information from Websites to desktops. A newsreader application accesses selected RSS feeds to bring your favorite information sources to your newsreader. Numerous newsreaders are available, including freeware, shareware and browser-based options. If you are new to RSS, a helpful Getting Started with RSS Feeds guide is available.

What are the "feeds", "rss", and "xml" all about?
The orange RSS button allows you to add or "bookmark" our library blogs in your news aggregator. Aggregators are software or Web-based applications (usually free or available for a low, one-time purchase) which allow you to read many blogs and Web sites through that single application, effectively letting you create your own personal newspaper. Aggregators can make your Web browsing and news gathering activities more efficient.

What does mean?
An RSS file (often called a web feed or RSS feed) has been created and that the content of the site has been "syndicated" or repackaged for use in an RSS Reader. Other web sites that offer feeds may use links labeled "RSS feeds," , or "Syndicate this site" instead. There's also another type of feed called "Atom," but the concept is the same.

What can I do with the feeds?
RSS readers (sometimes called aggregators) are software applications which allow you to read blogs and web sites that you select through a single application, effectively letting you create your own personal newspaper. Reader applications can make your Web reading and news gathering activities more efficient because you don't have to surf the web to check the sites one at a time for updated content. With the reader, you select (or "subscribe") to the feeds for the sites you would normally surf to on the web and read. As the web sites are updated, so are the corresponding feeds, and the readers are checking those feeds for the updates.

How do I add a feed?
If you already have an RSS reader set up, choose a feed by right-clicking on the "XML" or "RSS" icon, and select "Copy Shortcut" (Internet Explorer) or "Copy Link Location" (Firefox), then paste the feed location into the RSS address/URL field of your reader. An alternate method is to click and drag the XML icon, and drop it into the RSS address/URL field. You may also need to click a "subscribe" link to finish the subscription process.

Why does the Library use blog technology?
The library's home page has included a news and events section for several years. Blog technology enables us to post news online more quickly.

Why should I read the Library blogs?
Our blogs are a great source, written and maintained by library personnel, where you can keep up to date with news about library services and resources, building improvements, exhibits or events, and more.

What blog software does Library use?
We are running a proprietary system based on Blogger. There are numerous options if you or your organization are considering blogging. Bloglines, a free, Web-based reader, is currently our reader-of-choice. Other Web-based options include Google Reader and Yahoo. In addition, a number of desktop-based applications are available that can be downloaded at little or no cost. A list of these can be found at the Weblogs Compendium.

Where can I learn more about blogs and blogging?
Here is a sampling of Websites that should help you learn more about blogs.

Sources: Open Directory Project and Weblogs Compendium