How to Use Rss Feeds From Slashdot

Want to get your fix of wonderfully nerdy news from Slashdot but don't have time to continually browse for new stories on the site? You can use the RSS feeds to automatically retrieve updated content via your browser's built-in RSS feed reader or a specialized RSS aggregator.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Computer with Internet access
• Slashdot account

Receive RSS Feeds in Your Web Browser

1. Run the latest version of your preferred Web browser. Earlier versions may not have the RSS capabilities you'll need.
2. Go to the Slashdot home page (see Resources below). Scroll down to the bottom and click the "RSS" link. This will direct you the RSS feed information.
3. Copy the URL of this page.
4. Locate your Web browser's RSS icon. Typically, it appears as a small orange square marked with a white dot and three curved white lines.
5. Right-click the RSS icon and select the "Properties" option from the menu.
6. Paste the address of Slashdot's RSS feed page into the "Feed Location" field, then click "OK."
7. Click the RSS icon. The newest stories from Slashdot will appear as a drop-down menu. Highlight and click any headline to access that story.

Set Up an RSS Aggregator

8. Find and click the "RSS" link on the Slashdot home page. You will be redirected to a page showing the XML file and document tree you'll need to feed into your aggregator.
9. Highlight and copy the URL of Slashdot's RSS page.
10. Download and install an RSS feed reader or aggregator. An Internet search for "RSS aggregator downloads" will yield a bounty of options. Use a free RSS aggregator unless you're an experienced user of RSS feeds. Some Web sites charge a premium to download RSS aggregators, but you can find a free one that is adequate for casual use.
11. Paste the URL of Slashdot's RSS page into the list of sites you want to supply feeds. Finalize its addition by clicking "Add," "Subscribe" or the equivalent button on your RSS aggregator.
12. Open your aggregator's feeds display and enjoy the updated content.

Tips & Warnings

• Have questions? Visit Slashdot's FAQ page.
• Rest easy if you're confused about which RSS format standard to use. There's little difference between 0.91, 1.0, 2.0 or any other versions.
• Request an RSS feed from Slashdot only once every half hour or so. Users making heavy demands on Slashdot's bandwidth capabilities by incessantly requesting RSS feeds risk a temporary ban.
• If you're using a shared computer, ensure that your login information is not stored by the Web browser and always log out at the end of your session.

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