The History Files

What is an RSS feed?

A feed, also known as RSS feed, XML feed, syndicated content, or web feed, is frequently updated content which is published by a web site such as the History Files.

It is usually used for news and blog web sites, but can also be used for distributing other types of digital content, including pictures, audio or video.

Feeds can also be used to deliver audio content (usually in MP3 format) which you can listen to on your computer or MP3 player. This is referred to as podcasting.

Does a web site offers feeds?

When you first view a web site, your browser will search for feeds. If feeds are available, the Feeds button will change colour in Internet Explorer, or it will appear in the url address bar in Firefox. Many sites use this orange icon, but some use a picture with 'XML' on it, while a few others use an orange or blue icon, or simply a text link.

A sound might also play in Internet Explorer.

Some browsers automatically check for feeds when you visit a web site. These browsers include Firefox, Opera and Safari. They will display an icon when they find a feed. This can make the process of subscribing to feeds more easy. For more details, please check the relevant web sites.

The History Files has its own feed. You can find the link for accessing this in the url bar of every relevant page, as described above. You can also find it on any of the index or help pages. It is an orange button on the righthand side of the page .

Where to find the RSS Feeds button on the History Files index pages

How does a feed differ from a web site?

A feed can have the same content as a web page, but it is often formatted differently.

When you subscribe, your browser will automatically check the web site and download new content so that you can see what is new since you last visited the feed.

How to get automatically updated content

You can receive content automatically by subscribing to a web feed, or rss feed.

When you subscribe to a web feed, you set the interval at which your browser will check the web site for updates. Once you have set an interval, your browser will automatically download the most up-to-date web feed list.

How to view the History Files feed

Feeds can be viewed in a news reader. This is a piece of software which checks the feeds and lets you read any new articles that have recently been added. Some news readers are accessed using your web browser, while others are downloadable applications (these are not covered here).

Browser-based news readers usually come as part of your internet browser, and allow you to read your selected RSS feeds from any computer.

The History Files offers a single feed which shows all the latest new and updated content.

Visit one of the index pages on the History Files web site via the links on the righthand side of this page. Once the Feeds button becomes available or visible in your browser, you will know that feeds are available.

View of the Feeds button in Internet Explorer

View of the Feeds button in Firefox

Click the Feeds button, and then select the feed you want to see. Once you have done this, a list of the latest content will be shown, with links to the relevant pages on the History Files web site.

To get content automatically, you should subscribe to a feed via the link at the top of the Feeds page.

Following that, you will be regularly updated with the latest content from the History Files.

Facebook & Orkut

Social networking sites such as Facebook and Orkut also offer the opportunity to import notes into your profile from web sites via an RSS Feed. This will occur automatically whenever new material is available to be noted. To set this up, please access your Facebook account and follow the instructions for 'Notes', or follow the simple instructions in Orkut or other social networking sites.