Internet Explorer 7 - Using RSS Feeds

Internet Explorer 7 automatically detects RSS feeds on sites and illuminates an icon on the toolbar. A single click on the icon allows you to preview and subscribe to the RSS feed if you want—so you’re automatically notified as content is updated. You can read RSS feeds directly in the browser, scan for important stories, and filter your view with search terms or site-specific categories.

RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication, a two-way Web content distribution system based on feeds and readers. Web sites offering RSS feeds-from major news organizations to personal blogs-automatically provide new and updated content that can be viewed with an RSS reader. RSS can give you an orderly and up-to-the-minute listing of the exact Web information you want.

An RSS feed is an actual web page (e.g., rss.cnn.com/rss/cnn_topstories.rss) consisting of simple headlines and brief summaries of recently added or updated content (e.g., news stories, blog postings). Each item is linked to the full document at the main web site. A web site's RSS feeds range from general (e.g., CNN's top news stories) to specific (e.g., Anderson Cooper's blog at CNN), and always include a link to subscribe to the feed.

Internet Explorer 7 has a built-in RSS reader, making it easier than ever to identify, subscribe to, and access RSS feeds. This document explains how to make the most of RSS technology using Internet Explorer 7.

• Locating RSS Feeds
• Subscribing to RSS Feeds
• Viewing RSS Feeds

Locating RSS Feeds

In some instances, Internet Explorer 7 will automatically indicate that a web site has RSS feeds by illuminating the FEEDS button. Other times, you will need to manually locate a web site's Feeds page.

Locating RSS Feeds: The Feeds Button

1. Navigate to a web site
   EXAMPLE: www.cnn.com
   If the web site provides an RSS feed, on the Command toolbar, the FEEDS button activates (i.e., turns orange).

2. To view the default RSS feeds, on the Command toolbar, click FEEDS
   Internet Explorer displays the site's RSS feed.
   EXAMPLE: Internet Explorer displays the page rss.cnn.com/rss/cnn_topstories.rss
   OR
   To view the topical RSS feeds, on the Command toolbar click theon the FEEDS button » select the desired feed
   Internet Explorer displays the topical RSS feed (e.g., politics, entertainment, education).
   EXAMPLE: Internet Explorer displays the page rss.cnn.com/rss/cnn_education.rss
   NOTES:
   Not all web sites with RSS feeds have topical feeds.
   For web sites with topical feeds, it may be necessary to locate them manually from the site's RSS page.

Locating RSS Feeds: Manual

1. Navigate to a web site
   EXAMPLE: www.twincities.com (the St. Paul Pioneer Press web site)
   Although the web site has RSS feeds, the Feeds button does not activate.

2. From the web site's main page, locate the link for RSS feeds page
   HINTS:
   The link for a web site' RSS feeds page is often located in the side menu or in the page footer.
   Web sites may refer to RSS feeds with text or the RSSor XMLlogos.

3. Click the link
   The web site's specific RSS links are displayed.

4. Click the link for the specific RSS feed you want to view
   The selected RSS feed is displayed.

Subscribing to RSS Feeds

By subscribing to an RSS feed, you can access it directly from the Feeds toolbar in the Favorites Center. Internet Explorer 7 makes subscribing to RSS feeds easy.

1. At the top of the RSS feed page, click SUBSCRIBE TO THIS FEED
   The Subscribe to this Feed dialog box appears.
   

2. OPTIONAL: In the Name text box, type a name for the feed

3. To finalize the subscription, click SUBSCRIBE
   The selected feed is added to your Feeds folder.
   To cancel the subscription, click CANCEL
   The feed is not added to your Feeds folder.

4. OPTIONAL: To configure a feed's properties,
   1. From the Favorites Center toolbar, access the feed page
   2. From the feed page, click VIEW FEED PROPERTIES
      The Feed Properties dialog box appears
      
   3. Make appropriate changes (e.g., edit feed name, set feed update schedule, change feed archive options)

   4. To save changes, click OK
      The new settings are saved.

Viewing RSS Feeds

After you have subscribed to an RSS feed, you can access it directly from the Feeds toolbar in the Favorites Center.

1. Click FAVORITES CENTER
   The Favorites Center toolbar appears.

2. Click FEEDS
   The Favorites Center pane refreshes to display the RSS feeds you are subscribed to.

3. To determine when a feed was last updated, hover your mouse over the desired feed
   A box appears telling you how many new or updated stories have been added to the feed and how recently it was updated.

4. OPTIONAL: To refresh a feed, hover your mouse over the desired feed » click REFRESH THIS FEED
   The most current stories and updates are added to the feed.

5. To view a feed, click the feed title
   Internet Explorer displays the selected feed page.
   The Favorites Center toolbar closes.

6. To search for feed stories by topic, in the feed page text box, type a keyword
   NOTES:
   Stories matching the keyword are selected as you type; there is no search button.
   The feed page displays only stories related to the keyword; other stories are filtered out.
   

7. To read a full article, from the RSS feed page, click the article title
   OR
   Click GO TO FULL ARTICLE
   Internet Explorer displays the full article at the feed provider's main site.

This document is based on and developed from information published in the LTS Online Help Collection (www.uwec.edu/help) developed by the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and copyrighted by the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents. Used by permission.