How in the TECH » Bits & Bytes

What is RSS?

Adam Myers — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 23:28:04 +0000

In a world heaving under the weight of billions of web pages, keeping up to date with the information you want can be a drag. Wouldn’t it be better to have the latest news and features delivered directly to you, rather than having to visit each site individually?

You’ve probably seen this icon on the internet before, but maybe didn’t know what it was for. This icon tells visitors that there is a RSS Feed available for the site. RSS feeds are read using either your browser or a feed reader (Google reader is my favorite) and allow you to read the latest posts on a site. The beauty of a RSS feed is not only can you read all the latest posts from a site all on one page, without having to visit dozens of pages, you can add as many RSS feeds as you like to your reader.

This can save you valuable time and allow you to read the posts from your favorite sites quicker. For instance, imagine reading 5 posts a day on 10 sites. You would have to visit 50 pages in total, and wait for all the ads etc to load. With a RSS reader you would just have to visit one page each day, and if you don’t like a story, you just move onto the next one rather than wasting time loading a story you don’t want to read! You also don’t have to waste time visiting a site to find that there are no new posts either.

If none of the above makes sense, then this great video should clear it up:

Now Subscribe!

Now that you understand the benefits of subscribing by RSS, choose one of the subscription options below so that you can quickly read How in the TECH’s latest posts how you want, when you want!

Subscribe To Latest Posts By RSS

Get the latest posts added to your chosen feed reader automatically just click on the orange icon above.

Subscribe By Email

If you prefer a daily summary email sent if any posts have been made that day, then just enter your email address:

Talking Points to Defeat Canadian DMCA

Adam Myers — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 20:59:15 +0000

Brendon Wilson has a fantastic write-up concerning the ramifications of Bill C-61, which has been tabled in the Canadian Parliament. This a topic that I hope will be hotly contested and all Canadians are encouraged to write their MPs to present their feelings. Brendon provides a rational fact based argument against the bill, which should prove to be much more effective than emotional rants that are commonplace when DMCA-like discussions take place.

Metallica Continues to Show They Don’t Get It

Adam Myers — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 15:39:48 +0000

Caveat, I’m a huge fan of Metallica – even after getting booted from Napster by their representatives (ironically I own all their albums). Metallica held a listening party for a few journalists in London but was then taken back when they wrote about what they heard. As a result, management had the reviews yanked from the Internets. Guys, I can’t continue to defend your lunacy!

Mozilla Requests ‘Save the Date’ .. er Month?

Adam Myers — Thu, 29 May 2008 14:48:04 +0000

For the upcoming release of Firefox, Mozilla is preparing Download Day 2008: a campaign to set a world record for the most software downloaded in 24 hours. Participants are asked to pledge to download Firefox 3 on the day that it’s launched. Silly publicity stunts are great and all, but wouldn’t it make more sense to actually have a release date set before garnering up all this attention?

Another! Statement! from Microsoft! Regarding! Yahoo!

Adam Myers — Mon, 19 May 2008 14:46:07 +0000

Here we go again! The money continues to burn a hole in Microsoft’s pocket so it’s time for another public statement concerning their bid for Yahoo.

In light of developments since the withdrawal of the Microsoft proposal to acquire Yahoo! Inc., Microsoft announced that it is continuing to explore and pursue its alternatives to improve and expand its online services and advertising business.

How Apple is Changing DRM

Adam Myers — Fri, 16 May 2008 20:08:42 +0000

Ironically, the music companies are now abandoning DRM because it worked too well. Apple wouldn’t license its version to rivals – so the best-selling iPod drove the iTunes store to its present position, where it is the third-largest music retailer in any form in the US. Rosenblatt says that record labels “have been desperate to find a viable competitor to Apple and iTunes”. More

Icahn Leads Campaign to Oust Yahoo Board

Adam Myers — Thu, 15 May 2008 17:03:51 +0000

Billionaire investor Carl Icahn is buying up Yahoo shares after Yahoo shareholders had urged him to lead a campaign to replace Yahoo’s 10 directors at the company’s July 3 annual meeting in hopes of bringing Microsoft back to the bargaining table. Here’s another thought, if there shareholders are so upset with the current board – how about taking their money elsewhere? You cannot convince me that shareholders who actually care about Yahoo want Microsoft’s influence.

Nintendo Power Glove Makes Comeback as Communication Device

Adam Myers — Mon, 12 May 2008 21:38:01 +0000

Engineers at Carnegie Mellon University have demoed their latest project, Handtalk, a sensor equipped glove that translates finger and hand gestures into speech. The device’s vocabulary is limited to just 32 words but I have to admit, I’m out of words after two or three hand gestures ..

Let’s just hope the Power Glove works better than it did in Rad Racer.

Web 3.0 is Coming but What Will it Be?

Adam Myers — Fri, 09 May 2008 20:15:20 +0000

A speculative article on What is Web 3.0 provides many insights curteuosy of today’s tech hard hitters – Eric Schmidt, Jerry Yang, and Reed Hastings. Isn’t it pretty clear that Web 3.0 will revolve around data portability and further acceptence/dependence on cloud computing? Regardless, it is all just marketting speak to generate hype and excitement. Don’t fall for it!

Ubuntu Hardy Heron in Depth Review

Adam Myers — Thu, 08 May 2008 21:00:33 +0000

The Heron has landed and spread it’s wings. Ars Technica has a thorough review of Ubuntu’s latest offering – Hardy Heron. The verdict: disappointing for a LTS but still better than the predecessor, Edgy. Next up, Intrepid Ibex – I’m not joking.