RSS

What Is RSS?

RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication. It’s an easy way for you to keep up with news and information that’s important to you, and helps you avoid the conventional methods of browsing or searching for information on Web sites. Now the content you want can be delivered directly to you without cluttering your inbox with e-mail messages. This content is called a “feed.”

RSS is written in the Internet coding language known as XML (eXtensible Markup Language), which is why you see RSS buttons commonly labeled with this icon: . The other common button depicts the “broadcast” nature of RSS, sending out information to the world, which is why this button depicts something like radio waves. Another protocol for feeds is called Atom, and you will see that label on feed subscription buttons sometimes as well.

What Is an RSS Reader?

An RSS reader is a small software program that collects and displays RSS feeds. It allows you to scan headlines from a number of news sources in a central location.

Where Can I Get an RSS Reader?

Some browsers, such as the current versions of Firefox and Safari, have built in RSS readers. Look for the RSS button or Feeds menu on the browser you’re using now. If you’re using a browser that doesn’t currently support RSS, there are a variety of RSS readers available on the Web; some are free to download and others are available for purchase.

Readers also exist for a variety of portable devices, such as mobile phones, allowing you to read your feeds on the go.

How Do I Use RSS Feeds?

The first step is to choose an RSS reader. Each reader has a slightly different way of adding a new feed, also called a “channel.” Follow the directions for your reader but, in most cases, here’s how it works:

Click on the link or small XML button near the feed you want. For example, Coastal Point: Front Page. You’ll see a page displaying XML code.
From your Web browser’s address bar, copy the URL (Web address). For example, the URL you would copy for Coastal Point: Front Page is feed://www.coastalpoint.com/taxonomy/term/28/0/feed.
Paste that URL into the “Add New Channel” section of the reader. The RSS feed will start to display and regularly update the headlines for you.

Is Really Simple Syndication still too complicated? Try these video explainers:

Or visit these sites for more information:

Subscribe to the Coastal Point’s Feeds

Below you will find a number of the Coastal Point’s RSS feeds. These are the most popular choices for our readers among our available content. Just click to subscribe in your reader of choice.

You can also create your own Coastal Point feeds. Just click one of our category tags when reading a story on that subject. For example: If you are reading one of our Bethany Beach stories and would like to subscribe to future stories about the town, click the “Bethany Beach” tag near the story’s title. See image at right.

That will take you to a page full of our Bethany Beach stories. If you scroll down to the bottom of that page, you’ll see the standard RSS feed icon on the left. Click there to subscribe to that feed. Feel free to add any or all of the categories that interest you.

Popular feeds for the Coastal Point

Front Page