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IE7 and RSS Feeds    


RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication, a two-way Web content distribution system based on feeds and readers.  Websites offering RSS feeds automatically provide new and updated content that can be viewed with an RSS reader.  RSS can give you an orderly and up-to-the-minute report of the exact web information you want.  The LTech website offers an RSS feed to quickly notify you of any special events, unscheduled changes, or other items of interest.

Internet Explorer 7 has a built-in RSS reader, making it easier than ever to identify, subscribe to, and access RSS feeds. This document explains how to make the most of RSS technology using Internet Explorer 7.

Locating RSS Feeds

In some instances, Internet Explorer 7 will automatically indicate that a website has RSS feeds by illuminating the FEEDS button. Other times, you will need to manually locate a Feeds page.

Locating RSS Feeds: The Feeds Button

  1. Navigate to a website
    EXAMPLE: Http://ltech.nwfstatecollege.edu
    If the website provides an RSS feed, on the Command toolbar, the FEEDS button activates (i.e., turns orange).

  2. To view the default RSS feeds, on the Command toolbar, click FEEDS 
    Internet Explorer displays the site's RSS feed.
    EXAMPLE: Internet Explorer displays the page http://ltech.nwfstatecollege.edu/rss/owcltech.xml
    OR
    To view the topical RSS feeds, on the Command toolbar click the down arrow Down Arrow buttonon the FEEDS button then select the desired feed.
    Internet Explorer displays the topical RSS feed (e.g., politics,education).
    EXAMPLE: Internet Explorer displays the page http://ltech.nwfstatecollege.edu/rss/owcltech.xml
    NOTE:
    Not all websites with RSS feeds have topical feeds.
    For websites with topical feeds, it may be necessary to locate them manually from the site's RSS page.

Locating RSS Feeds: Manual

  1. Navigate to a website
    EXAMPLE: http://ltech.nwfstatecollege.edu (the Learning Technologies website)
    Although the website has RSS feeds, do not use the Feeds button to activate.

  2. From the website's main page, locate the link for RSS feeds page
    HINTS:
    The link for a website's RSS feeds page is often located in the side menu or in the page footer.
    Websites may refer to RSS feeds with text or the RSSor XML logos.

  3. Click the link
    The website's specific RSS links are displayed.

  4. Click the link for the specific RSS feed you want to view
    The selected RSS feed is displayed.

Subscribing to RSS Feeds

By subscribing to an RSS feed, you can access it directly from the Feeds toolbar in the Favorites Center. Internet Explorer 7 makes subscribing to RSS feeds easy.

  1. At the top of the RSS feed page, click SUBSCRIBE TO THIS FEEDSubscribe To This Feed button
    The Subscribe to this Feed dialog box appears.
    Subscribe To This Feed dialog box

  2. OPTIONAL: In the Name text box, type a name for the feed

  3. To finalize the subscription, click SUBSCRIBE
    The selected feed is added to your Feeds folder.
    To cancel the subscription, click CANCEL
    The feed is not added to your Feeds folder.

  4. OPTIONAL: To configure a feed's properties,
    1. From the Favorites Center toolbar, access the feed page
    2. From the feed page, click VIEW FEED PROPERTIESView Feed Properties button
      The Feed Properties dialog box appears
      Feed Properties dialog box
    3. Make appropriate changes (e.g., edit feed name, set feed update schedule, change feed archive options)

    4. To save changes, click OK
      The new settings are saved.

Viewing RSS Feeds

After you have subscribed to an RSS feed, you can access it directly from the Feeds toolbar in the Favorites Center.

  1. Click FAVORITES CENTERFavorites Center button
    The Favorites Center toolbar appears.

  2. Click FEEDSFeeds button in Favorites Center
    The Favorites Center pane refreshes to display the RSS feeds you are subscribed to.

  3. To determine when a feed was last updated, hover your mouse over the desired feed
    A box appears telling you how many new or updated stories have been added to the feed and how recently it was updated.

  4. OPTIONAL: To refresh a feed, hover your mouse over the desired feed » click REFRESH THIS FEEDRefresh This Feed button
    The most current stories and updates are added to the feed.

  5. To view a feed, click the feed title
    Internet Explorer displays the selected feed page.
    The Favorites Center toolbar closes.

  6. To search for feed stories by topic, in the feed page text box, type a keyword
    NOTES:
    Stories matching the keyword are selected as you type; there is no search button.
    The feed page displays only stories related to the keyword; other stories are filtered out.
    Feeds Keyword Search text box
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