I’ve become a big fan of reading blogs via RSS feeds. Some people use Google Reader or something similar to accomplish this. I am currently using Vienna, an open source program, although I also own Newsfire. And I know that my browser will let me read RSS feeds, as will my mail program. There are lots of options available.

RSS is often expanded as “Really Simple Syndication,” although I’m not sure that was the original meaning. It provides a “feed” of frequently updated materials, like blogs or news websites. I currently follow over 200 feeds; I wouldn’t be able to begin to look at all of that material on their original websites.

Some of the blogs I follow don’t provide a full feed. I don’t mind too much those that give excerpts, but I really don’t care for those that give you nothing but a title. If you’re going to get me to read your blog based merely on a title, it had better be a really good title. Those blogs that come through blank rarely get a read from me. (I’m sure their authors are crushed)

I think the use of feeds will grow, both in the number of sites providing feeds and the number of people reading via feeds. If you haven’t tried it, I would suggest you give it a whirl. To subscribe to the feeds from this site, you can click on one of the choices at the top right or click on the link that says “RSS feed” at the end of each individual post. Some browsers also let you click on an RSS symbol in the address bar.

See you in the feed!