Using Safari RSS

Tuesday, September 09 2008

By: chrisb

Learning to use RSS Feeds

RSS Bookmarks
Click to see a larger image

Safari has a feature called RSS which stands for Really Simple Syndication. In a nutshell, that means that certain websites offer a way to "subscribe" to them so that you can see when new articles have been added.

You can tell if a site offers an RSS feed by looking for the blue and white RSS icon on the right side of the address bar. Basics4Mac uses RSS, so you should be able to see that icon now.

Click on the RSS icon to see the Basics4Mac RSS Feed. You will see the title, subtitle and image of the ten most recent tips. (If a tip doesn't have an image, you will see part of the tip text)
Click on the title to be taken directly to that tip
Click on the RSS icon again to return to the Basics4Mac site.

You can make bookmarks from RSS feeds. While in RSS view, you can click the + button to the left of the address bar to create a bookmark or review this tip on creating bookmarks on the bookmark bar.

RSS Bookmarks show the number of unread articles in parentheses next to the bookmark name. You can use that as a visual cue that you have articles to read.