Jennifer Wilson posted on April 27, 2011 10:50
So this here is a blog. Blogs are different from regular websites in that they are distributed as a chronological series, kind of like a newspaper and its editions. Many blogs, like this one for SmallWaterSupply.org, are part of websites that do other things.
How are Blogs Different?
The thing that makes blogs special is an extra page of code attached to the site, called the RSS feed. RSS stands for really simple syndication. This code allows tools known as RSS readers as well as other websites to access that content and deliver it to you in the way you prefer. You can identify a blog from a website by looking for the orange RSS feed button.
You can compare an RSS feed to a well pump. The water (the blog content) starts in the ground, in its storage location (the blog itself). The pump (this special code, the RSS feed) moves the water to the surface where it can be used (read by you) in a more convenient manner.
The most commonly used RSS reader aka "feed reader" is Google Reader. If you have a Gmail account, then you also have a Google Reader account. These readers allow you to import RSS feeds from as many blogs as you would like to read, all in one place.
Why Use an RSS Reader
The main benefit to using a reader is convenience. You don't have to remember to check for new posts or keep a set of bookmarks on your computer. You can access all your favorite blogs from one website, from any computer, at any time. Many times, seeing a new blog post will remind you to go check out the other features offered on the site.
Want to Start Using RSS?
If you need a second explanation of blogs and RSS, here is one of my favorites. If you've got several blogs bookmarked and would like help setting up Google Reader, just email us. We'll talk you through it. You can also check out this excellent visual tutorial or watch the video below.