What is RSS?

RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication and is based on a technology known as XML. Among other things, RSS allows you to view headlines of the latest content posted on a website like gcconline.org. When you see the XML-RSS  icon on a page on Grace's Website, you know that that particular ministry or channel has an associated RSS feed. You will need an RSS Reader (also known as a news aggregator) to property interpret the RSS feeds on the channel. These readers also allow you to subscribe to the channel. The advantage of an RSS feed is you only view the most recent changes to our site. This alerts you to an important change or addition to a ministry page such as a new broadcast.

To Get Started With A News Reader:

You need to install an RSS feed reader. (A reader is a software application similar in function to your email program) - you will see headlines and descriptions in the channels you have subscribed to in this application. See end of this page for list of popular RSS readers.
 

Once you have a reader installed, subscribe to any RSS feeds by copying the xml url into your reader.

The   icon helps you identify that an RSS feed is available. This icon will have the URL link to that channel. To subscribe to the channel, right-click on it and choose Copy Shortcut. Switch to your reader and select File, New menu option (this may vary based on your reader). Follow the menus to add the channel.

If you click on this icon, a new browser window will open that includes the XML code. All you need is the URL that points your reader to that channel. To add the channel, you can copy the URL from the browser address bar into your reader. See the instructions in your reader software on how to create a new channel.
 

Once you have subscribed, your reader will automatically check the channel for updates. For example, if Grace's Website posts a new broadcast for a ministry that you have subscribed to, you will see that new broadcast has been added in your reader. You can go directly to that new broadcast on Grace's Website. This is a great way to keep up-to-date on the new or updated content posted on Grace's website. We have many ministries that you can subscribe to in the RSS format.