How To Use RSS Feeds For Productive Reading

RSS stands for “really simple syndication.” It is the technology used to syndicate online content to a list of subscribers. Once subscribed, the readers receive automatic updates of content posted to that web site.

Depending on how the content provider has the feed set up, the subscriber will get a summary of the newly posted content or the entire article in their RSS reader. This automatic notification makes RSS a great way to rapidly review content of interest.

For people who have to read a lot of material from various sources, like preachers, RSS subscriptions can be extremely helpful and time saving.

The first thing a person needs to know about RSS Feeds is how to collect and read them.

Many email applications and web browsers have build in RSS readers. For example, in Internet Explorer you can click on the RSS button to subscribe to feeds. New content will automatically be added to your feeds folder.

Check your email or web browser for an RSS icon. Odds are you’re already all set up to start receiving RSS Subscriptions.

Another option, and the one that I use, is the Google Reader. It is very easy to set up and can be accessed anywhere you can get online. It also has good mobile clients for most modern cells phones.

. I have Google set as my homepage so whenever I open my web browser the first thing I see is any new content in my Google Reader. I can quickly read through the updates and go from there.

Here are some other RSS readers you might be interested in:

Bloglines (Online):

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NetNewsWire (Mac): SharpReader (Windows): However you get set up to receive RSS feeds, it is a great way to consolidate your reading resources in one location for quick reading.

Almost all web sites, that post regular updates to their content, provide their readers with RSS feeds to keep up with new additions. Here are several advantages to using RSS feeds for your reading:

It greatly reduces the time you spend reading online.

It greatly increases the amount of information you can get in less time.

You get all of your content in one place rather than scattered across several web sites. “Its like having an inbox for the Internet” – Google

It helps you keep up with current events, news, interests, hobbies, and just about anything else you want to keep up with.

It can help you be a more eclectic reader – an important thing for preachers to be.

Use a mobile reader, like your cell phone, to read your RSS feeds during down time (i.e., waiting in offices, airports, etc.) to be a more productive reader.

Here are some of my favorite RSS feeds:

My web sites, of course:
Norm’s Notes: Bible Q-n-A Blog: Bible Q-n-A Videos: The Productive Preacher Blog:
News Feeds:
Fox News:
Productivity:
The David Allen Company: Stepcase Lifehack: Zen Habits:
Writing:
Copyblogger: Write To Done: Lateral Action: The whole point of using RSS feeds is to be a more productive reader. If your accumulation of feeds becomes a time sink instead of time saver, its time to cut back.

Try not to get carried away when subscribing to RSS feeds. If you notice after a while that your inbox is filling up with old unread content try cutting back on your subscriptions. If you’re skipping over certain providers then you’re probably not as interested in their content as you thought you would be. Unsubscribe from them. There’s nothing wrong with unsubscribing from older feeds as you add new ones, as long as they’re not mine.

Hope this helps. Let me know what you think.