Has anyone ever noticed this little sign    at the bottom of the Newton North PTSO web site front page?   It indicates that our front page can be read using an RSS Reader.   Click on the sign to subscribe to the RSS feed for Newton North PTSO.

For you techies, you've already "been there, done that".  But the  rest of us are wondering what an RSS feed is and how to get hold of an RSS Reader and why it matters at all!

Most of you have signed up for the Newton North PTSO emails.  These emails let you know what's posted on the site.  If you are interested, you go to the web site for more details. However, the PTSO email can get lost in the barrage of emails that you receive on a daily basis.

Using an RSS feed the information is categorized automatically, one feed at a time, with each blog or topic as a separate message.  The information you receive via the feed is the same as that posted on the web site front page but you don't have to go to the web site to read it.  If the topic catches your interest, click on the "Read More" link to read the full story. RSS feeds are used for information that is not time critical, but regular users make it a habit to check the feed for new entries on a daily basis.

RSS feeds are read using an RSS Reader.  Many of you use Microsoft Outlook 2007 that supports an RSS Reader.  Look for the same sign on your list of folders and follow the directions on adding a new feed.  Its usually as simple as "right clicking" on the sign, selecting "Add a new RSS feed" and entering the URL below.   Other readers are also available, including one for the iPhone -  yes there is an app for that!

The URL to subscribe to the NorthPTSO.org web site RSS feed is:  http://www.northptso.org/rss.xml.