What is RSS?

An automated notification method, similar to your email in-box, where messages are sent to you containing any new content published on web sites that you specify. Specifying sites is similar to setting a web page in your "favorites" list.

First off... why would you want it?

In a nut-shell, to save you time. Scan one list as opposed to surfing multiple web sites. 

Example: Say you have 10 web sites or web pages you really like to keep informed about. Currently, you need to go to each of those ten sites, click through the pages and articles that catch your eye and then move on with your day. This takes time, and not all those sites will even have new content! That's where RSS comes in. If the sites all offer RSS you can subscribe to their 'feeds' and the result is a list on your Internet browser menu much like your 'favorites' list. Now you need only scan down the list of sites (feeds). Those titles in bold are notifying you that there is new content that has been sent to you. Click on the title to view the content. Quick and easy. 

Setting up RSS

* There are several alternate methods for feed aggregation should the following method not suit you. Try searching the web for "rss feed aggregator" to find alternates. 
** This method requires the Microsoft Internet Explorer web browser version 7. Alternate versions of IE may vary in their RSS use or may not support it at all.

1. First, open Internet Explorer and click on the gold favorites star (or in the menu, View > Explorer Bar > Feeds). This will display a side menu. Click the green arrow icon to "pin" it or lock it to the side of your browser so its always visible. Also, make sure the "Feeds" tab is highlighted.  
   
   
2. Go to a web page that offers RSS. Try going to the city's meeting calendar . It should open in a new window so you won't loose these instructions. You should see a little orange icon in the lower left indicating that this particular content is available via RSS. You can repeat this method any time you see one of these icons.
   
   
3. Click on the RSS icon. If a popup blocker message appears, allow the action and re-try if needed. You should see a new page with articles from this particular calendar feed. Click on the "Subscribe to this feed" link (or click the Plus/ Star icon next to the gold star on your browser).
   
   
4.  You will be prompted with a window allowing you to change the feed title and location if you wish. Click "Subscribe".
   
   
5. You're done! Now this content is listed under the Favorites - Feeds list on your browser. Any time you see a list item bolded it means there is new content there. Simply click on it to read. To add more feeds from other web pages, just repeat steps 3 and 4.