How to never miss new posts by your favorite writers here on OS - it's easy!

RSS , or Really Simple Syndication, is feature available on OS, but it is mostly unknown, underused or ignored. I often see commentary lamenting the posts that are missed - by both the writer AND the reader. I know that there are a few members that already are using RSS to keep track of new posts by their favorite members - this post is for the rest of you. 

Yes, it would be wonderful if OS had an extension of the "friend" feature that would allow us to receive notifications of new posts, but until that day comes, RSS is your answer. 

What you will need; 

1) A RSS reader. There are many freeware programs available for both PCs and Macs. Because I prefer my Mac to my PC, I use Shrook . However, you can also use certain browsers such as Firefox and Opera.  All these programs are freeware. There are many options available for PC and Mac on download.com as well. 

2) An idea of your favorite bloggers on OS 

 That's all. Really!

Once installed Shrook looks like this;

 Click here or above for an enlarged image

You will notice here that I am perusing Rob's post - Your Best Post . Your RSS reader will keep track of every new post by any member  you choose.  Shrook will keep count of all the posts you haven't read and give notice of new posts with a yellow star next to each individual RSS feed that you've chosen. You can see that I'm WAY behind on my reading. 

Choosing RSS feeds  

Go to a the OS member's blog that you wish to track and click on "RSS", which is located to the right of each user's avatar. Once clicked, that feed will automatically be added to the RSS reader that you have chosen and/or installed.

 That's it! From now on your RSS reader will track all new posts by the OS members that you have chosen.

Note; You won't see your own RSS link on your own blog while you are logged in.

Encouraging others to add your blog's RSS

The RSS feed link is very small and located way at the top of your blog, so therefore it's easily forgotten.  It's easy to add an icon to the bottom of your posts as a friendly way to encourage those reading your posts to add you to their RSS list. You can do this with either a text link or an image. I've chosen an image. My RSS link looks like this;

 But I could have made a text link that looks like this;

 Click here to subscribe to the Artsfish RSS feed

 How to create your own RSS link;

1) First you will either need to open a different browser than the one you are currently using, or you will need to log out of OS  -which you can do by going to the "More" menu at the top right of every OS page.  

2) Then you will need to navigate to your own blog. Because you are logged out, you will now see your RSS link. Right click on your link and select  "copy  link" Then paste it into any word processing program or notebook . You will need it soon.

3) If you're making a  text link, highlight  your "Click here RSS ......" text in your post  and choose the link button in the OS editor and paste your RSS link into the pop up box as requested. If you have made an image to use as a link, highlight the image and do the same thing.  

 Trust me, this is even easier than Statcounter.