Though there is some debate about what RSS actually stands for, it is generally accepted to be "Really Simple Syndication." Of course, what it stands for isn't important — it's what it does that matters. And what it does is deliver news and content of your choosing to your web browser.
In the case of QSR, the RSS "feed" (as it's called) features the latest restaurant industry headlines as reported on the QSR web site. Yes, you can always see the latest news by visiting the QSR site frequently, and we certainly appreciate as many visits as you'd care to make. But with an RSS feed, the content comes to you, rather than the other way around.
Okay, so how do I use RSS?
Most web browsers — like Internet Explorer 7, Firefox and Safari — are already equipped to read RSS feeds. If you don't have a browser that supports RSS feeds, you could use an online option, like Google Reader or you could download an RSS reader — there are many available, such as RSSOwl and Feedreader.
Once you've downloaded and installed the reader, or if your browser is already equipped with one, you're ready to sign up for one (or more) of the QSR RSS feeds. How you do this depends on the reader you've chosen, but it will start with you heading to our RSS feeds page. Notice the orange RSS button you see next to each feed? The address that button links to will go in your reader. Try clicking on the button to see if your web browser will automatically handle this for you.
Alternatively, you can also add the RSS feed to one of several web-based news readers. Here are some easy-to-add links for some of the popular choices:
What do I get with RSS?
The QSR RSS feed features the latest restaurant industry headlines as presented on the QSR web site. How this information appears on your computer depends on the reader you use. Some will run headlines in a ticker; others will show a tab that you click on to see headlines.
Of course, RSS is not unique to QSR — many sites today use this technology. And like all technologies, once you start experimenting with it, you'll learn how to make it work for you. In general, consider it another tool to help manage the flow of information that matters to you.
Click here for a list of all QSR magazine RSS feeds.
