RSS Newsfeeds

What is RSS:
RSS, a worldwide set of technical standards for sending information over the Internet, is a simple-to-use publishing tool that allows us to easily deliver content to you. It is essentially a "pull" content delivery technology that allows you to receive quick summaries when selected areas of the SatRep Web site are updated. Information is automatically delivered to your desktop, so you have direct access to news and other information supplied in a manner that is most convenient to you. In essence, you can stay informed of updates to the SatRep content without having to supply an e-mail address or spend time searching for information.

What does RSS stand for:
We have seen the acronym variously described as Really Simple Syndication and Rich Site Summary, among other descriptions. However, the World Wide Web Consortium—the definitive source for Web standards—says it is RDF Site Summary (RDF stands for Resource Description Framework).

How does RSS work:
Once an RSS feed is available on the Web, any computer can regularly fetch it. The most common type of program to do this is called an aggregator, or newsreader, which can take an RSS feed and display it to the end-user. Newsreaders make it really easy for you to be updated on the latest stories or alerts from your favorite Web sites without having to visit each site manually. Such programs enable users to collect information from many different sources of their own selection with a single, automated application that checks RSS feeds regularly and highlights any new material. Once subscribed, the most current information is always available to the end-user, who receives updates as soon as they are made available on the Web site.

How do I use the SatRep Newsfeeds:
You will need to install a newsreader (or use an online aggregator service) that will allow you to collect and display RSS feeds, then subscribe to the channel(s) of your choice. Like an e-mail program or a Web browser, the newsreader serves as a kind of information portal and provides a real-time interface to the channels you select.
Once the RSS reader is set up to access the SatRep Web site, it will automatically check your selected SatRep newsfeed for new items on an ongoing basis, making it possible for you to keep track of changes without needing to tediously read and re-read the Web site yourself. The newsreader will detect any additions and present them in a compact and useful manner. If an item is of interest to you, the link can be used to quickly bring the related page up for reading.
After a newsreader is installed, you can add a feed from the SatRep Web site. To subscribe to a newsfeed, right-click on the orange RSS button at the bottom of the homepage (left corner), then select "Copy Shortcut" or "Copy Link Location" to copy the location (URL) of the channel. Follow the instructions for your particular newsreader, then paste the URL wherever it asks for the location of the channel for which you wish to subscribe.

What Newsreader should I use:
There are two types of RSS newsreader. Most are standalone applications that run in the background on your desktop, automatically updating headlines regularly with newsfeeds from your subscribed Web sites. The other type is the plug-in that works within an existing program (either integrated into e-mail programs or accessed through a Web browser), such as Microsoft Outlook, Internet Explorer or Firefox, so the newsreader becomes a new component of that application.
There are many good newsreaders available and most are free. Different news readers work on different operating systems, so you will need to take this into account when you make your choice. A list of readers can be found here.

What information is included in the SatRep newsfeeds:
Typically, headlines and selected forum topics are included in the SatRep Newsfeeds.