We've set up RSS feeds for MEPIScommunity.org. This tutorial will help you if you don't know how to take advantage of this feature and want to. Here are some common MEPIS RSS feeds:
MEPIS Community: http://www.mepiscommunity.org/news/feed
MEPIS Wiki Changes: http://www.mepis.org/docs/en/index.php?title=Special:Recentchanges&feed=rss
MEPIS Home page: http://www.mepis.org/node/feed
MepisLovers Announcements forum: http://mepislovers.org/forums/external.php?type=rss2&forumids=34
Warren's Twitter account: http://twitter.com/statuses/user_timeline/65207163.rss
For other feed URLs, look for the RSS icon
or the word "feed," "rss" or something similar.
RSS
RSS stands for Rich Site Summary or Really Simple Syndication. An RSS is something a website offers to readers that provides a "news feed" of information as soon as it becomes available. It works almost like a stock ticker, delivering exactly the information to which you have "subscribed." This eliminates the need to go out and check your favorite outlets for new information, because it’s automatically delivered to you.
For background information about RSS feeds, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RSS
How to use the RSS feed
Readers of RSS content use programs called feed 'readers' or 'aggregators.' The user 'subscribes' to a feed by supplying to their reader/aggregator the appropriate link to the website’s feed; the aggregator then periodically checks subscribed feeds to see if any has new content, and if so, retrieves that content and presents it to the user.
There are many ways to tap into an RSS feed, and the choice depends on the user’s preferences. Here are five common ways to set up a feed in MEPIS Linux.
1. Use your web browser
At the bottom of the What's new box on the home page is a small RSS symbol. When you click on it, most modern browsers will ask you if you want to add the feed and have new posts retrieved automatically.
Ex. Firefox
· Click on the RSS symbol
· On the screen that pops up, select to subscribe to the feeds using Live Bookmarks
· Click "Subscribe now"
· Give the feed a name, and click OK.
· The feed is now listed under your bookmarks with the RSS icon, and clicking on it will show you all the available posts.
· There are also feed reader extensions available for Firefox through Tools --> Add-ons
2. Use a desktop aggregator
Ex. Akregator, part of Kontact
· Open Kontact
· Click on the Feeds icon in the left panel
· Right-click the header in the Feed panel where you want the new feed, and select Add Feed...
· Copy and paste the feed URL into the box that opens, and click “OK”
· To adjust settings, click Settings --> Configure Akregator...
· Many other desktop aggregators are available through the repos.
3. Use an online aggregator
Ex. Bloglines (cross-platform)
· Go to http://www.bloglines.com/, and set up a free account by clicking on “Register” in the upper right corner
· Click on the yellow “Subscribe” icon
· Copy and paste the feed URL into the box that opens, and click “OK”
· The unread feeds that are available will show up on the “Feeds” tab.
4. Use an email client
Ex. Thunderbird
When you use an email client, the feeds show up just like email messages in their own folder.
More info: http://kb.mozillazine.org/RSS_basics_-_Thunderbird
5. Use a web portal
Ex. Google Reader (cross-platform)
· Create a free Google account at http://www.google.com/reader
· Click “Add Subscription” in the left-hand
· Copy and paste the feed URL into the box that pops up
· Feeds will be loaded automatically as they are posted
More info at http://www.google.com/help/reader/tour.html
