BruceBufford.com

Are you really into the internet? Have a lot of sources of information? Like to read blogs? Are you frustrated at how long it takes you to browse each one?

Then use an RSS Reader! What’s that you ask? An RSS Reader allows you to view headlines and articles from many sources of information at once in a single location.

How does it work (without getting too technical)? Websites like CNN, New York Times, and Wired Magazine publish their articles online according to a specific standard which allows content to be read from their site. This content (called RSS Feeds) can then be put into a separate application, called a Reader (sometimes it’s called an Aggregator, since it “aggregates” content to one place). Nearly every blog uses RSS Feeds to share their content, and major news providers do the same.

Huh? Say it in English. Look, this technology is a HUGE timesaver. Think of it like this — you want to browse TEN newspapers a day. That takes a LOT of time turning pages, scanning for articles, and finding what you want. RSS Feeds are the equivalent of having someone make a list of every headline and a short summary of each article, all printed on an 8.5×11″ sheet of paper. If you want to read more, you are given the exact location of the article — or in the digital world, a link to the actual website.

So, what reader applications can I use? There are many available — some are downloadable and some are 100% internet-based. Google Reader, an internet-based RSS Reader, is considered one of the best. It’s easy to use, integrates well with your browser, and has a very well-defined interface. It also can be used in an experimental “offline” mode too.

[Google Reader]