What is RSS?
The small graphic 
links a RSS feed from a website. RSS (Really Simple Syndication) is a technology that allows a visitor to a website to subscribe to specific content.
New items of content on the website (e.g. new messages in a forum) are automatically uploaded to the RSS subscriber's computer as soon as they are published. This allows RSS subscribers to have the latest content transferred automatically and conveniently to their browser or website. RSS-based features will be further integrated into existing programs such as e-mail and web browsers.
What is the use of RSS?
With the current information overload, it is becoming more and more difficult to get a general idea of useful or relevant information. Users have to constantly check their favourite websites to find new articles, videos or other information and avoid missing anything important. Wouldn't it be far easier to receive new content the moment it is published? RSS offers an easy and conventient solution:
RSS files can be read and sent by programs called RSS readers. These make it possible to 'monitor' the content of any website that offers an RSS service. RSS users save a lot of time by not having to check their favourite websites for new information.
Not all websites offer a RSS feed, but more and more sites that offer daily content provide automatically generated RSS files with their latest articles.
How do I get a news reader?
There are two different kinds of RSS reader: Conventional programs that have to be installed on a personal computer, and online readers.
To use an online reader, you have to register for it on a website. Then you can use a web interface to access your feeds, from any computer with Internet access.
Some browsers have an option to install an RSS reader as what is known as a browser plugin. The plugin lets you organise your RSS feeds like bookmarks.
Here is a selection of RSS readers:
- Feedreader (Windows)
- FeedDemon (Windows, not free)
- Liferea (Linux)
- Pluck (Windows, Linux, Mac)
- AmphetaDesk (Windows, Linux, Mac)
- BottomFeeder (Windows, Linux, Mac)
- eRona (Online-Reader)
- My Yahoo! (Online-Reader)
- Bloglines (Online-Reader)
- Newsburst (Online-Reader)
- inforss (Firefox-Plugin)
You will find more addresses in Google Index.
How do I subscribe to an RSS feed?
First, you need the URL of the RSS file. To find this, look for the RSS logo or a similar logo showing the letters 'RSS', 'RDF' or 'XML'. To copy the URL (on a Windows PC), right-click the logo or link and choose 'Copy link location' or 'Copy shortcut'. Now switch to your RSS reader, and click 'New channel', 'New feed' or whatever the appropriate menu item is called. Now copy the URL into the space provided by right-clicking and choosing 'Paste'.
If you need more help, you will find detailed instructions and information about further options in the documentation for your RSS reader.
What feeds does MS Gateway offer?
MS Gateway has an RSS feed for each public forum, so you can have the latest forum discussions automatically sent to your RSS reader or browser and be notified of any new contributions. You will find the link to the RSS feed at the bottom of each forum.
