Introducing RSS feeds

The ICLA is constantly trying to find new ways to keep in touch with members of the various national and regional associations and disseminate news—for example the Bulletin or new information about congresses or publications—in a timely and cost effective manner. Very soon we will begin what is called an RSS feed.

RSS (Really Simple Syndication) is a way to be informed when new content is posted on a web site without having to go to the website daily and check for new items. An RSS feed allows anyone to stay informed by retrieving the latest content from sites of interest, for example the ICLA web site. Time is saved by not having to visit each site individually everyday. Privacy is guaranteed by not needing to reveal a personal e-mail address (see http://www.whatisrss.com/).

To subscribe to the RSS feed of the ICLA on ailc-icla.org, an internet browser (for example, Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari, etc.) is needed. Many programs can read RSS news feeds, including most internet browsers and e-mail programs. There are also several dedicated programs designed to efficiently manage multiple RSS feeds. The following are some of the most popular and readily available options:

Firefox and Internet Explorer (version 7 or higher)

RSS feeds are displayed in your web browser’s favorites bar

Outlook, Thunderbird, or OS X Mail

You are alerted to new articles in a fashion similar to when you have new e-mails.

Google Reader

Available through the web, this allows you to access your news feeds from any computer.

FeedDemon and NetNewsWire

Applications that manage multiple RSS feeds, for Windows and Mac OS X, respectively.

Every RSS reader has its advantages, and all of them (even those integrated into e-mail programs such as Outlook or Thunderbird) access RSS feeds anonymously, submitting no private information.

Subscribing to the ICLA RSS feed

To begin, visit the ICLA homepage ailc-icla.org and click on the RSS icon. ( ) You will be taken to a new page.

To use Firefox

From the ICLA’s RSS page, select Live Bookmarks from the pulldown menu on the webpage and click Subscribe Now. A window will appear asking you where you’d like to place your subscription. If you select Bookmarks Toolbar it will appear with the bookmarks at the top of your browser, updating itself automatically with new articles.

To use Internet Explorer (version 7 or higher)

From the ICLA’s RSS page, click Subscribe to this feed. A new window will appear. Click Subscribe. The RSS feed will be added to your Favorites Center. Click the Favorites icon on the toolbar and select the Feeds tab. Right- click the ICLA feed and select Monitor on Favorites Bar.

To use an e-mail program

Start by copying the URL (the internet address) from the bar at the top of your internet browser (http://ailc-icla.org/?q=rss.xml).

Outlook 2007

Click the Tools menu, followed by Account Settings. Click the RSS tab.

OS X Mail

Click the File menu, followed by Add RSS Feeds. Select the Specify the URL for a feed option.

Thunderbird

See http://kb.mozillazine.org/Thunderbird_:_FAQs_:_RSS_Basics.

With this window now open, select the URL field and paste the URL (alternatively, you can manually type http://ailc-icla.org/?q=rss.xml). Press the Add or OK button to proceed.

To use Google Reader

Those who already have an account with Google should simply click on the word Reader at the top of the Google page (you may need to click the More option for a pull-down list of all options). Click Add a subscription and either paste or type the address (see e-mail program section above) into the text box that appears.

To use FeedDemon or NetNewsWire

Visit http://www.newsgator.com/individuals/default.aspx, chose the client that suits your operating system, and follow the instructions that appear on the screen.

Once these steps have been taken, a notice indicating that new information—for example a new issue of the ICLA Bulletin—has been posted in the ICLA web site will now be received automatically and absolutely privately, regardless of the RSS solution you choose. We hope that this new method of disseminating news will prove helpful.