OK not really. But really you've got to be using RSS if you're going to use and read the web smartly and speedily. For example: I'm not sure how many of you wander by just to find that I'm distracted and my blog isn't updated. More than that I'm not sure how many other friends and business sites you're trying to keep up with ONE at a time. There's not enough time in the day, never mind your life, to keep tracking websites individually ... and for my friends and family still stuck on dial-up ... you cannot afford to avoid this tool.

So, I've put something in place to save you time. From now on you will only come visit when there's something new to see ... and ... you will know before you ever come by that you are actually interested in what I've written this time. (No, dear, I can't keep a list of your interests and then email you personally ... although I have proof that I did consider it.) And I'm going to teach you how to use this tool all over the web so that you can really expand your Internet experience efficiently AND you can gain more Real Life time!

The something is called RSS or Really Simple Syndication. It started out as something kind of high-tech for web site developers but gradually it's turning into something that web consumers (like you) use to their benefit all the time ... in very unique ways. At first it was all about publishing content in one place and letting web site techies suck it into lots of other websites. (Compare to cartoon syndication in the newspapers, etc.) That's largely how you are able to see news headlines all over the web. But now, thanks to RSS feed readers, everybody can publish with RSS and everybody can check 5 to 500 sites a day without ever visiting the web sites .

We're going to practice using an RSS reader first on my site and then I'm going to expand your horizons. So, obviously the first thing you need is an RSS reader. I have a very easy to use option for you. Really really painless and easy. Google has a mad scientist lab. Right now, in the lab, is a reader that they are improving on a regular basis. It is already very sweet. And it is not the least bit scary even if this is Halloween.

So, let's do this. I'm not going to leave you. I'm right here. You can post questions in the comment area or drop me a note if you get stuck. I won't even get beheaded because I'm not going trick or treating.

Step One: Go here: Google's Reader. (You can take the tour if you want but it gets geeky in a hurry. If you're into sharing info with friends, I recommend clicking "next" one time and reading the first two bullets.)

Step Two:Click on the "Try it Out" link. If you have a Google account, sign in. If you don't have a Google account, don't freak. Click on the Create an account now link. You aren't going to end up with Gmail (although I think everyone should have at least 10 Gmail accounts). You get to stick with your favorite email address and you can complete the form and confirm your email address in under 60 seconds. And, no, you will not end up with a bunch of spam or notices from Google in your email box.

Step Three: Now, all of you should be logged in your Google Reader. So, come back to my site. At the very top of the column to the right, you will see this little icon . This is the recently adopted official standards-approved icon for RSS. It's also official that I can change the color of it anytime and still be legal. So be aware others are already using lime green, purple, pink, turquoise, etc.

Step Four: Click on the link beside the RSS icon (sometimes you only have the RSS icon to click on). This will take you to a rather plain page displaying bits of my blog. In the upper portion, is a section promoting subscriptions to my blog.

Step Five: On the subscription page, in the box on the right, you will see one of two things. Either there will be a drab box or there will be a box full of little colorful icons. You want to see all the little icons. If you cannot, click on the "Show all options" link.

Step Six: Click on the Google icon. You will be presented with two options: Add to Homepage or Add to Reader. Choose the Reader. (Do explore the homepage option later.)

Step Seven: If a new feed does not show up immediately in your Google Reader (they are listed alphabetically), press the F5 key on your keyboard, or click the refresh link in the bottom left corner of Google Reader.

And wa-la there you have it.

Now let's talk about how this is useful on other web sites. This is not just a "blog thing." Many sites provide RSS to help you track info. Almost every site you go to for information will have RSS feeds. In addition to the logo I introduced you to, look for small buttons that say RSS on them (or XML or Atom –almost all of the old logos were orange). Some sites will have ALL of the RSS reader icons right on the site. Some will behave in some variation of mine. BUT a great many (probably most info sites) expect you to know The Secret Handshake. You will know it is time to use The Secret Handshake when you click the RSS link or button and you end up with a screen full of gibberish.

Let me see ... in my reader I have press releases from The White House and The State Dept Highlights (True. I seldom look at these but if something's going on, it's there.) I have news feeds from BBS's Science & Nature News. (They think they're explaining evolution and just sit with my mouth hanging open over God's amazing creations.) Also Simply Recipes (for me to drool and Billy to use). And ... On the east coast ... so, of course, the National Hurricane Center's updates (just one more month left in this season). And the latest releases from Project Gutenberg (you can read more about Project Gutenberg in my previous blog entry: Looking for "The Good Old Days?"). Oh and the latest to be added is NaNoWriMo.org's Breaking News. In my RSS reader, there are also feeds that tell me when various forums have been updated plus about 25 other feeds that have nothing to do with blogs. (Oops "Simply Recipes" is technically a blog ... oh well you can look at at least one other blog.)

So let's try out The Secret Handshake. The links in the paragraph above are to RSS feeds. Pick one that you might want to keep track of for a little while and then follow The Secret Handshake steps below. It is very easy. Again, I'm right here ... not going anywhere ... this isn't scary.

Right click on the RSS link. Select "Copy Link." or "Copy Link Location."
Go to your Google Reader.
Click the "Add subscription" link that is located in the navigation column on the left, in the green box.
When the text field (blank) appears, right click inside of it and select "Paste."
Click "Save"

Wa-la! You are finished.

Some of you already have RSS feed readers and don't even know it. There's a whole bunch of tech talk that I could insert here. Fortunately for us another use-to-be-a-geek wrote it out for her readers in non-geek so if you want to understand exactly how many more options you have available (and if any RSS readers are already in your pc), you can read the details at Stephanie's blog, "Back in Skinny Jeans". Stephanie calls RSS "Ready for Some Stories." You should at least glance at the article and her examine artistic creation which visually demonstrates exactly what an RSS feed reader can do for you.

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