RSS Help

What is a RSS feed?

RSS feeds allow you to see when websites have added new content. By using these feeds on TheDailyEngineer.com you can get the latest engineering headlines, forum posts and blog articles as soon as they are published, without having to visit the website.

How do I use RSS feeds on TheDailyEngineer.com?

To begin using RSS feeds you will need a RSS reader, a piece of software that checks the feeds and lets you read any new content that has been added. Most modern browsers and email programs have a RSS reader in-built. However, there are also standalone downloadable programs that read RSS feeds and they are available for free for all modern operating systems (see Where can I get a free RSS reader?).

Most RSS feeds are links on websites that are accompanied by an orange button, the standard icon for RSS feeds. If you are using a RSS reader that is built into your browser, generally you just click on the link and your web browser will display the latest content in your browser window and offer you the option to subscribe to the feed. If you are using a computer program to read the feed, such as a mail program, you usually just have to copy the feed's URL (the web address that appears in the browser) and add it as a new feed (each RSS reader will provide instructions on how to do this).

Once you have subscribed to a feed your browser or program will periodically communicate with the website and inform you of newly added content.

How do I create custom RSS feeds on TheDailyEngineer.com?

Unlike many other websites that offer only a single generic feed, TheDailyEngineer.com offers many specialised feeds and also allows you to customise your own feed.

You can subscribe to all news on the website via the Subscribe to RSS feed link located at the top of every page. If you would like to follow the news of a specific company simply visit their mini site (you can find this via the company index or through any of their submitted news items) and locate the RSS link.

You can also customise a news feed to obtain news only about certain products and/or industries. Click on the Customise RSS feed located at the top of every page, check the products and industries you are interested in, and click the Generate my feed! button.

You can subscribe to all forum posts, a particular form or even a specific forum thread by visiting any page in the forum and locating the RSS icon and link.

Where can I get a free RSS reader?

The free web browsers Firefox and Opera have built-in RSS readers and are available for Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X and Linux.

If you would prefer to use a standalone program you can use Vienna for Mac OS X or FeedDemon for Windows. Most Linux distributions come with a standalone RSS reader.

For more help please contact helpdesk@thedailyengineer.com or call 01943 465022 and ask for the editor, Charles Clayton.