Info Reader
With the help of a RSS feed reader, the time and effort needed to regularly check websites for updates can be reduced. By using different RSS feeds it is possible to, for example, create a more personal newspaper. Once subscribed to a feed, the feed reader frequently checks for new contents. If new content is available, the feed reader will pull the content and notify the client about the new content. These features are built-in in most modern web browsers.
While checking for new updates, the RSS feed reader receives the content in the form of RSS or similar XML-formated data. The feed reader then verifies if the data contains any previously not known content.
There are three different kinds of feed readers – web based, client software and media aggregators. The web based is an application available directly through the web. It can be accessed from anywhere in the world as long as there is an Internet connection. The readers with more advanced functionality are often provided using AJAX coding techniques or so called web widgets. One good example of a web based feed reader is live.com.
The client software is an application that have to be downloaded and installed on the local computer before it can be used. Compared to the web based reader, this application can only be accessed from the computer where it is installed. The reader groups different feeds with the help from a user-friendly interface. In most cases the client software looks like an e-mail client.
Media aggregators are often referred to as podcatchers due to the popularity of the term podcasts. A podcast is a feed containing audio or video, hence the media aggregators are applications that maintain subscriptions to feeds that contain audio or video. A podcatcher can be used to automatically download and play media within the application interface or synchronize media content with portable devices.