RSS and Podcasts - HELP and FAQ

What is the difference between RSS and Podcasts?

RSS (Really Simple Syndication) is a programming code that formats content from a website to be read/displayed on another website or page, computer program or mobile device.  When the code includes an 'enclosure' such as an audio file, it is often referred to as a podcast and/or podcasting.
 

How can I 'get' RSS?

Just like visiting a website requires typing an address into the Web browser’s address bar, a RSS feed (subscription) requires a complete ‘address’ of the content. The RSS feed address of the Alumni website is:
http://alumni.plymouth-cantonschools.net/rss.xml

Most current Web browsers (Chrome, Internet Explorer®, Mozilla Firefox®, Safari®) will display RSS; however, dedicated stand-alone RSS readers (aggregators) installed on a user’s computer combine multiple feeds. Online personal home pages such as iGoogle™ and My Yahoo!® can also subscribe to multiple RSS feeds.
 

Subscription? Is there a cost?

There is no cost for P-CCS RSS or podcast ‘subscriptions.’ The term comes from the effect of new content being delivered to you once you ‘subscribe’ to the feed. Just like a magazine subscription is delivered to your designated U.S. Mail address, a RSS subscription comes to your desired location whether it is online, your computer, mobile device or ‘all the above.’
 

Do I need an iPod® or iPhone®?

An iPod or iPhone are not required. They are only two of the many mobile/portable devices that can subscribe to and receive information from a RSS or podcast feed.

Do I need iTunes® to subscribe to a podcast?

 The iTunes program is not required to subscribe to or receive a podcast. It is one of many computer programs that will automatically download, store and organize files as a result of a podcast subscription.