Getting started with RSS on iOS (Eastern Massachusetts transit ed.)

Introduction

Since Twitter became useless, I’ve been getting news another way: Really Simple Syndication, a.k.a. RSS.

RSS is a file format in which websites can publish articles. It’s a special format for articles that makes it easy for computer programs to understand what’s available, without having to involve another platform. I value it, because:

• I can download content directly from publishers and primary sources
• I can stay up-to-date on current events without using social media.
• I often receive critical updates sooner than my peers
• RSS is not a platform, and is far less addictive.

Getting set up

I use NetNewsWire on my iPhone. It’s a free RSS reader app.

1. On your iOS device, download NetNewsWire.
2. Open the app. On first launch, you’ll notice it comes with a lot of default feeds that you are likely not interested in.

3. Remove each feed by swiping left on the feed, and choosing “Delete”.

Adding some transit-related feeds

To get you going, I’ve prepared a list of Boston transit-related feeds you can add with a few taps.

1. Press and hold on this, then choose Download Linked File.
2. Switch to NetNewsWire, and press the icon at bottom-left to open Settings. Choose “Import Subscriptions”.

3. Choose BostonTransitRSS.opml in your Downloads folder.

You’ll now have 14 feeds to get started. Feel free to remove some by swiping left and choosing Delete, like before.

Adding your own feeds

To add another site that I didn’t include, I recommend doing this:

1. Browse to the site in Safari.
2. Press the Share button, and choose NetNewsWire as the app to “share” to.
3. NetNewsWire will attempt to auto-detect the site’s RSS feed. If it can find one, it’ll add it to your list! If the site has no RSS feed available, it won’t work (and there won’t be an error, unfortunately).

I’m here for you

Contact me if you have questions, or are stuck :-) Good luck!