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RSS Notification Service Help

What is RSS?

RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication. It's an XML file that can be read by special feed reading software or a web service you can use from your web browser. Put the address of our RSS feed into your reader, and it will display the latest records added to one or more of our databases (each database has its unique RSS feed). It's quicker than revisiting a site several times a day to check for updates, as feed readers scan for content updates and display them for you.

If you click an RSS link, you will see XML (or eXtensible Markup Language) code in your browser. This is to be expected, since you do not view RSS content through a browser. You view the updates through an RSS news reader (also called an RSS aggregator). Our main RSS page provides links to our feeds.

What are RSS readers?

RSS news readers are small software programs that aggregate RSS feeds and display the information. They allow you to scan records and display them in a central location.

Where can I get an RSS reader?

A wide range of RSS readers can be easily downloaded from the Web. Some readers are Web-based while others require you to download a small software program onto your desktop. Most are free to use.

For information about accessing RSS readers (including FREE) click here.

How do I use the RSS feeds?

The first step is to choose an RSS reader. Each reader has a slightly different way of adding a new feed (also called a "channel"). In most cases, here's how it works:

  1. Click on the small XML RSS button near the channel you want
    • KnowledgeCentre;
    • Observations from the field;
    • Employment Opportunities;
    • Funding Opportunities;
    • Meetings & Conferences
  2. From your browser, copy the URL that appears in your Address Bar. For example, the URL you would copy for the GRN KnowledgeCentre is:
    http://grn-hiv-du.org/RecordSearch/KnowledgeCentre/KCfeed.aspx
  3. Paste that URL into the 'Add New Channel' section of the reader. The RSS feed will start to display and regularly update the new content for you.

How often are the RSS feeds updated?

The GRN RSS feeds are updated each week. Every time a new record(s) is added to a database, it will also be added to the RSS feed for that database.

Who has access to the RSS feeds?

Visitors to the GRN web site have access to the Brief Display of records available through the RSS Notification Service.

Registrants and Members have access to the Full Display of records including links to full text (where available).