Reading and Subscribing to Feeds in IE8

A feed delivers frequently updated web content to your browser on a continuous basis. A feed, also known as RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feed, XML feed, syndicated content, or web feed, is usually offered on a subscription basis and typically free of charge. A feed can deliver text content in the form of news headlines or blogs, or digital content in the form of pictures, audio, and video. When audio content is delivered usually in the MP3 format, it’s referred to as a podcast. When you visit a web site, Internet Explorer checks for available feeds. If it discovers a feed, the orange Feeds button appears in the Command bar. You can view an individual feed or subscribe to one to get content automatically. When you subscribe to a feed, Internet Explorer checks the web site and downloads new content so you always stay updated with the latest site content. You can also add an RSS feed to your Favorites bar, making it easy to view updates (New!). Internet Explorer manages a common feeds list, which allows other programs, such as email, to use them.


View and Subscribe to a Feed
1. Visit a web site with a feed. The Feeds button changes color and plays a sound.

TIMESAVER You can also press Alt+J to check for feeds.

2. Click the Feeds/Web Slices button arrow (New!) on the Command bar, and then select an available feed.

3. If available, click the feed you want to see. A web page opens, displaying a lists of articles and other elements you can read and subscribe to.

4. Click the Subscribe to this Feed button, and then click Subscribe to this Feed, if necessary.

5. Type a name for the feed, and then select a location for the feed.

6. To add the feed to the Favorites bar, select the Add to Favorites Bar check box (New!).

7. Click Subscribe.


View Subscribed Feeds
1. If available, click the feed button on the Favorites bar, and then click a specific feed (New!).
• If the feed button on the Favorites button is bold, the feed has been updated.

2. Click the Favorites Center button.

3. Click the Feeds button.

4. If needed, click a folder to display related feeds.

5. Click the feed to visit the web site for the feed.

6. Click off the pane or click the Close button.


What formats are feeds available in? The most common formats are RSS and Atom. All web feed formats are based on XML. XML (Extensible Markup Language) is a platform-independent universal language that enables you to create documents in which data is stored independently of the format. XML is a markup language just like HTML. You mark up a document to define the structure, meaning, and visual appearance of the information.

You can change feed settings. Click the Tools button, click Internet Options, click the Content tab, click Settings in the Feeds and Web Slices section, specify the options you want, and then click OK twice.

You can import favorites from another browser. Click the Favorites Center button, click the Add to Favorites button arrow, click Import and Export, and then follow the steps in the Import/Export wizard.


Resetting Internet Explorer Settings
If you installed another web browser after installing Internet Explorer, some of your Internet Explorer settings may have changed. You can reset your Internet Explorer settings to their original defaults, including your home page and search pages, and choice of default browser, without changing your other browser’s settings. To reset Internet Explorer settings, click the Tools button, click Internet Options, click the Advanced tab, click Reset, read the dialog box carefully, and then click Reset again.

Source of Information : Microsoft Windows 7 on Demand (2009)