TL;DR

RSS doesn’t actually stand for “Really Simple Software”, it stands for “Really Simple Syndication” and is an internet standard dating back to 1999. It allows websites to create RSS feeds that users can copy into their RSS Feed Reader to avoid connecting to the website over and over again just to see updates.

Why you should use RSS

RSS allows one to organize their internet activity into one cohesive, accessible program. Instead of leaving large digital footprints like subscribing to a newsletter via email or using a social media site, RSS allows one to safely preview web content right as it is updated. If you’re creating a blog, making an RSS feed will greatly benefit your readers.

Using RSS is as simple as looking for the RSS Icon and copying the link into your feed reader, no extra steps required. Many feed readers also come with the ability to tag and organize your feeds into different sections for different topics. Invidious instances also come with RSS built in so you can replicate a YouTube subscriptions page without the stinging you’d usually get from Alphabet Inc for example.

In less eloquent terms: The modern web browser is bloat and you want to avoid using it as much as possible. RSS helps you do that.

Libre RSS Feed Readers

On Linux distributions with Flathub enabled, you have these options:

• GNOME: NewsFlash,
• KDE: Akgregator
• QT: RSS Guard
• Flutter: Fluent Reader
• GNU Emacs: Elfeed
• Terminal: Newsboat

Most web browsers either have extensions for RSS or have RSS built into them, I have only used one called Smart RSS. I don’t recommend using web application RSS feed readers that require an account to use.

Examples

NewsFlash

Now I can enjoy all my JT content right as it’s hot off the press (using invidious)

Lemmy

RSS Feeds are available at every comm. (little rightmost rss icon)

Day 5 of libreposting