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The New Web Challengers

News to You: RSS Made Simpler

Signing up for RSS feeds can be a hassle. The easiest way to start is with the beta reader built into Yahoo's home page. If you already have a Yahoo account, click here and click the Add it button. (Sign up for a Yahoo account here.) Next, click the Add Content link (usually near the top left), and type, say, PC World into the Find Content field. Click one of the Add buttons, and then Finished. When the page refreshes, you'll see your new RSS module. If you encounter any problems, check Yahoo's RSS FAQ). Be sure to start with a manageable number of feed sites and items per site.

An alternative to Yahoo for RSS feeds is the Desktop Sidebar, a fun, free tool that's not only an RSS reader but also a super desktop utility. The program features a media player, an image manager, a calendar, an appointment reminder, a quick note-taker, and several other handy applets. Like Windows' own taskbar, the Desktop Sidebar hides when it's not in use.

If you're wondering where to find RSS feeds, Feedster.com (you just have to love the name) is the spot to look (see FIGURE 3

Figure 3: Feedster makes it easy to sign up for RSS news feeds.
). Start here to home in on political, TV, or blog feeds. If you still can't find what you're looking for, click the Feedfinder link near the top of the page to search nearly 1 million RSS feeds.

Steve Bass

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