What exactly is RSS feeds?
RSS (really simple syndication) is a format for distributing and aggregating all kinds of content on the Web such as news links, headlines and summaries. It is a form of XML, which means that each piece of data - a headline, introduction or description - is coded separately. In this way, software will know exactly what to do with it. So, when you want news only from Kottayam , that's exactly what you'll get.

How do I read these feeds?
Once information about news items is in RSS format, RSS reader software can check for changes and updates. These headlines will appear on your screen with a summary. Now if you want more information about what you reading, all you need to do is click on the title of the news.

Some free RSS readers are

1. Feedreader: http://www.feedreader.com/
   
2. BlogStreet Info Aggregator: http://rss.blogstreet.com
   
3. AmphetaDesk: http://www.disobey.com/amphetadesk/
   
4. Wildgrape NewsDesk 1.1: http://www.wildgrape.net/
   
5. Beaver: http://www31.brinkster.com/toolmaker
   
6. SharpReader: http://www.hutteman.com/weblog/2003/04/06-56.html
   
7. KlipFolio: http://www.serence.com/site.php
   
8. BlogExpress: http://blogexpress.com/
   
9. RSSConnect: http://www.perfectxml.com/RSSConnect/
   
10. Awasu Personal Edition: http://www.awasu.com/
    

I have the RSS reader. Now what?
Now you need RSS feeds to read. Just like the ones ekerala.net has provided on this page. Each feed is just like the address of a Web page. All you need to do is use the 'subscribe' function of your RSS reader to start receiving updates from a particular feed.

Makes sense. But what about XML?
'Extensible markup language', or XML, splits information (be it content or images) by markers like 'headlines', 'introductions', 'footnotes', or just about anything else, making it easier for computers to locate specific information using those markers.

Now you are all set to enjoy ekerala.net news feeds. Got some issues? doubts ? shoot me a mail to forums{at}ekerala.net