What is RSS?

RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication. It's an Internet technology that allows you to subscribe to news and information about topics (or channels) that interest you -- for example, the latest news and information from the Department of Social and Health Services -- without having to browse or search for information on Web sites. Content you want can be delivered directly to you via an RSS reader without cluttering your inbox with e-mail messages. This content is called a "feed."

Subscribing to RSS requires that you have RSS-compatible Web browser software on your computer. Some browsers, such as the current versions of Internet Explorer 7, Firefox, Opera, and Safari, have RSS readers built in.

If you're using a browser that doesn't currently support RSS, when you click on an RSS news feed link you will see a page with just programmer's code that doesn't make much sense. There are a variety of RSS readers available online. Some are free to download and others are available for purchase (see below).

An RSS reader is a small software program that collects and displays RSS feeds via the Internet. It allows you to scan headlines from a number of news sources in a central location.

A wide range of RSS readers can be easily downloaded from the Web. Some readers are Web-based while others require you to download a small software program onto your desktop. Most are free to use.

Some free RSS reader programs are:

• Amphetadesk - http://www.disobey.com/amphetadesk/ (Windows, Mac, Linux)
• Awasu - http://www.awasu.com/ (Windows)
• NetNewsWire - http://ranchero.com/netnewswire/ (Mac OS X)
• Pluck - http://www.pluck.com
• RSS Reader - http://www.rssreader.com/ (Windows .NET)
• SharpReader - http://www.sharpreader.com
• FeedReader - http://www.feedreader.com/

First, install your RSS reader of choice. Each reader has a slightly different way of adding a new feed, also called a "channel." Follow the directions for your reader but, in most cases, here's how it works:

• Click on the link or small XML button near the feed you want. For example,"DSHS Latest News and Information." You'll see a page displaying XML code.
• From your Web browser's address bar, copy the URL (Web address). For example, the URL you would copy for DSHS is "http://www..."
• Paste that URL into the "Add New Channel" section of your reader. The RSS feed will start to display and regularly update the headlines for you.

Subscribe to Washington state DSHS latest news and information:

DSHS News Releases