Why use RSS?

RSS is an easy way to keep track of what's happening on ned.com. By using RSS you can automatically be notified of changes to your favorite discussions or workspace pages - or items tagged with a particular tag.

What is RSS?

RSS (Really Simple Syndication) is a file format for distributing Website content as "feeds." Using a feed reader (also called a newsreader or RSS reader or aggregator), you can automatically receive notifications when content, like an omidyar.net discussion, is updated.

How do I use RSS for ned.com content?

To read RSS files, you need to use a Web browser (like Firefox or Safari) that handles RSS feeds, a Web service that processes RSS feeds or a standalone feed reader.

RSS readers are programs or Web services that allow you to "subscribe" to a feed and then automatically receive notification when new content has been added.

To find a newsreader (many are free!), use your favorite search engine and search for "RSS readers."

Once you have a program you want to use, follow the steps below to subscribe to one of the ned.com feeds:

• Right click the feed link (located under the "who's online" list on any discussion or workspace) and copy the link location.
• Paste the link location into your news reader.
• That's it! Now your program will notify you when new content is available on ned.com.

NOTE: In some cases (if a group is not open to anonymous users) you may be required to enter your ned.com username and password to access the feed (see also the bloglines instructions below).

What feeds are available on ned.com?

You can subscribe to any discussion, personal news item or workspace page on ned.com. There are also several personalized feeds based on your activity on omidyar.net. See below for details. To access these feeds, visit the Personalized RSS Feeds page.

Recent Discussions

Provides a feed of the 50 most recently-updated discussions found in any of the groups in which you are a member.

Unread Recent Discussions

Provides a feed of the 50 most recently-updated, but unread by you, discussions found in any of the groups in which you are a member. A discussion is considered unread if you haven't read the topic yet, or if a comment has been added since the last time you read it (anywhere you'd see a 'new to me' link).

Recent Workspace Pages

Provides a feed of the 50 most recently-updated workspace pages found in any of the groups in which you are a member. Includes full text of each page.

Recent Workspace Page Summary

Provides a feed of the 200 most recently-updated workspace pages found in any of the groups in which you are a member. Does not include text of page.

Recent Comments

Provides a feed of the 50 most recent comments on discussions from all of your groups, whether or not they are unread.

Unread Recent Comments

Provides a feed of the 50 most recent unread comments on discussions found in any of the groups in which you are a member. This feed also provides links to easily mark as 'read' the comments, discussions, or groups contained in the feed.

My Watch List

Provides a feed of every discussion and workspace page in your watch list.

My Threads

Provides a feed of 50 most recent discussions you have participated in.

My Thread Comments

Provides a feed of 50 most recent comments on discussions you have participated in.

How do I subscribe to these feeds using Bloglines?

To use these personalized feeds, you have to provide your ned.com login to your aggregator. Desktop aggregators will sometimes prompt you for that information using a typical web login box, but Bloglines can't do that. So you have to put your e-mail and password in the URL itself. I recommend you use https to protect your password in transit:

https://email%40domain.com:passw ord@ned.com/my/feed/

for example. Note that you have to convert things like the @ in your e-mail address to the escaped form (whatever that's called). '@' is '%40' and if you have any funky characters in your password, you'll have to do the same for them. Yes, this is a complete pain in the neck. And please don't post your password here asking for it to be converted! :-)

Tool for making personalized RSS URL

RAQ: what happens if someone changes their password after subscribing?

If a password is changed after subscribing, the new password will have to be entered in the newsreader or RSS Web service in order to access the feeds.

Using the URL above, Bloglines will present you with a list of 9 feeds to choose from.

Comments/Questions

There's no feed for all personal news?

If using bloglines to see one's ned.com content... and having to use the password... should such bloglines be kept private to protect security of the password...i.e. is the password vulnerable if left in public feed, i.e something that might go on a blogroll...