Skip to Main Content
 

RSS Feeds: Get Started

What is RSS? Why use it? How to us it with Journals and Databases?

RSS (Really Simple Syndication)

RSS (Really Simple Syndication) is an XML-based format service used to retrieve frequently updated online content. RSS feeds allow users to monitor information resources such as web sites, journals and databases for new content, without having to visit the sites. With RSS feeds you can receive: 
  •  News alerts of all kinds
  •  Alerts of updated results of saved searches in databases
  •  Tables of contents information from journals as soon as they are published
  •  Updates from your favorite sites and blogs

To receive RSS feeds, you need to: 
   1-   Create an account in a feed reader service such as   AND
   2-   Create the RSS link  on the site you wish to receive RSS feeds from

How to Get Started

1. Sign up for an RSS reader service:

  •  Select an RSS news reader or aggregator service (e.g.,  )
  •  Follow the instructions on the selected reader site to create or sign up for an account.

There are many different versions of feed readers, some are accessed using a browser (e.g., Firefox, Internet Explorer), and some are downloadable applications.

  • Web-Based Readers (i.e., Browser- based): RSS feed subscriptions are accessible via any computer such as Bloglines,Google Reader and My Yahoo
  • Desktop Based Readers (Downloadable): News are stored on a personal computer such as Sharp reader, RSS reader
  • Internet browsers built-in RSS functionality such as Mozilla Firefox, Netscape, Internet Explorer
  • RefWorks (available via the University Libraries Databases)
    •

For more, check: RSS Compendium List of news readers; Yahoo  List of news readers; Google   List of news readers

2. Find, add and retrieve feeds from specific sites:

  •  On the site or search results page that you wish to receive updates from, look for the orange button on the desired web site
    such as
  • Right click on the icon, copy the syndication feed link (URL), follow your aggregator's instructions to create a new feed, and paste the link. 
  • To see your incoming feeds, go to your reader and check for RSS feeds updates.

3. Receive feeds by email
    If you prefer to get RSS feed content via email follow this link
    http://www.feedmyinbox.com/

 

 

Ask a Librarian

E-mail: jftref@aub.edu.lb
Phone Extension: 2620/21 
Research assistance

Tips & Tricks

            

Combine several feeds into one: RSS Mix or x Fruits

Not all sites offer RSS Feeds;
you can still create your own feeds by using one of the following free
online services:

Feed43
Feedage
Feedity
Page 2 RSS

If you want to display an RSS feed on your web page try http://feed2js.org/