By M. H. "Mac" McIntosh, CBC

Really Simple Syndication, or RSS for short, is an easy way to get updates to the latest online information and news from Web sites or Web logs (blogs).

Why use RSS?

The main advantages of RSS are that it allows you to automatically receive updated information and to keep and review it conveniently in one place.

Many people find RSS more convenient than receiving individual e-mail updates, which often get caught or blocked by e-mail filters and corporate firewalls.

How RSS works

Most Web sites and blogs that offer RSS feeds have little orange boxes that read "RSS" or "XML." Or you may see a link that reads "Subscribe via RSS."

When you click on that box or link, you'll find a block of code or instructions for your RSS reader telling it where to find updated information. Then your RSS reader goes looking for and retrieves any updated information when it finds it.

What kind of RSS reader do I need?

Basically, there are two types of RSS readers: desktop-based software for Windows and Mac users, and Web-based services.

Free Windows-based software includes SharpReader, Awasu Personal Edition and SauceReader. Some popular paid RSS reader software includes FeedDemon for $29.95 and NewzCrawler for $24.95.

Web-based news readers include Newsgator, Bloglines, MyYahoo and the Firefox Live Bookmarks feature.

Heinz Tschabitscher, writing in About.com's "e-mail guide", has a very helpful Top Ten list of both paid and free readers, reviews, screen shots and links to each company's Web site.