Pre-Torial for the Google Reader Tutorial

Before I can teach you about using Google's RSS/Atom Feed Reader you'll need to find some feeds that you want to read. For each type of service I'll list how to find the feed xml file. This isn't a super-greatly worded tutorial, I just wanted to give you the facts and info.

Blogger/Blogspot

If the blog address is http://.blogspot.com/ all you have to do to find the feed is add "atom.xml" at the end. I use blogger, but I host the files on my own server, so my blog address is http://www.hotcactuspepper.com/blog/. My feed is located at http://www.hotcactuspepper.com/blog/atom.xml! You can use the "add to Google" button on the right -->.

Xanga

If you want the rss feed for a Xanga blog use this text: http://www.xanga.com/rss.aspx?user=<username> and just replace "<username>" with the user name of your Xanga friend.

MySpace

You need to know your firends ID number, then just replace <ID> with it. http://blog.myspace.com/blog/rss.cfm?friendID=<ID>

WordPress

Take the address for a WordPress user's blog and add "wp-rss2.php" to the end. Like here: http://ashleysaintjohn.com/wp-rss2.php


flickr

At the bottom of almost every Flickr page you'll see something like this:

Feeds for hotcactuspepper's photostream Available as RSS 2.0 and Atom

Just copy the link location off of the RSS or Atom link and paste it into your reader.

TypePad

TypePad folks have "index.rdf" as their feed file. Example: http://dilbertblog.typepad.com/the_dilbert_blog/index.rdf However, note that the blog address for Scott's blog here is actually just http://dilbertblog.typepad.com/, there is an extra "the_dilbert_blog/" added. I think this is because they might have multiple blogs. TypePad templates usually have an RSS feed link in them somewhere.

LiveJournal

Take your buddy's name and insert it in the correct place: http://<username>.livejournal.com/data/rss

Other

Look for special icons or links. Like ones for feedburner.com Feeds from give you a few options. Go here to see a sample feed page. The links at the top right are clickable, but you can just paste the address http://feeds.feedburner.com/<name> into your reader. Where <name> is the name of the site that uses on Feedburner. Feedburner is nice cause it make links for you to use for your site. I just haven't gotten around to setting it up for my blogs.

Look for these things:

There are more out there but these are the types I have in my reader. Please submit any difficult ones you know about. Stay tuned for a post on how to use Google Reader. Cause what good is a feed if you don't have anything to use it with?