RSS Feeds

What is RSS?

You've probably seen this on lot's of websites and wondered what it means.

RSS (Really Simple Syndication) in brief is an easy way to stay up to date about a website. In the old days, if you wanted to see the latest about a website, you would have to open up your browser and go to that website. If you had a lot of websites you liked, you would have to go to each website individually.

Well then came RSS. This allows you to keep track of the latest contest of many websites. There are two ways to do this, you can use an RSS feed reader (like Google Reader), or use your email client (like Thunderbird). Personally I prefer using Thunderbird because it keeps both my email and my RSS feeds in one place.

For example, let's get an RSS feed from Buy.com

To add an RSS feed in Thunderbird do the following...

- First setup the RSS Account in Thunderbird
- Tools>Account Settings>Add Account...>RSS News & Blogs
- Click Next>Next>Finish
Now you've got an account setup - you only need to do this once for the very first RSS feed you setup.

- Now get the link from the website
...click on the RSS button, like this one...


or it might say XML, like this one...



This is often near the very top or bottom of the page, usually around the links.

A lot of the bigger sites like News sites, and online stores have many links you can use. After clicking on the link, you should be at a page that has many many of these icons. For our example, let's pick the one that say "Todays Deals". You'll be brought to the next page. Look for the icon, and click on the Subscribe Now button. You should be brought to a page that shows you the following link...

http://www.buy.com/rss/feed.asp?loc=14982&grp=2

Cut/Paste this link.


- Back to Thunderbird...
- Tools>Account Settings
- Click on "News & Blogs" (we created above)
- To the right click on the Manage Subscriptions Button
- Click the "Add" Button
- Place the above link into the "Feed URL" text box
- Close that window, and then click the "OK" button

For more details, go to the Mozilla Site

Buying a Digital Camera

Buying a digital camera can be an overwhelming task. I'm asked quite often, what's the best camera.

Best resources are these two websites...
- Digital Photography Review
- Steves Digicams


Both of these sites provide extensive information about specific make and models of digital cameras. Dpreview has a nice Side-By-Side comparison available.

Disney World

Buy "Birnbaum's Walt Disney World (Most Current Year)"

It is the Bible of Disney World. It will give you all the current information you need to know in a VERY well organized fashion. It is a total MUST have, not even a nice to have. It will be the best $12 you've ever spent!

As far as tickets - AAA sells tickets at discount, but if your ambitious, there are places on International Drive in Orlando that sell them at a better discount as well. You have to be careful of scams though. You can also check eBay. Are you staying "on site"? If you are, then you will have an added advantage of getting into a designated park an hour before they open to the public.

The real "KEY" to enjoying your time at Disney is to completely plan each and every day carefully. You cannot go to Disney and casually go to things, you have to have a plan. If you are planning on having lunch or dinner there, make reservations that morning. The popular places fill up fast. A great dinner show is "The Hoop T do Review" (my spelling is probably off). You have to book that "today" if you want to get a reservation. It's a really fun show. It's been a few years for me, so I'm sure there are plenty of new things going on, that's why that book is really critical. If you are able to get in the hour early, go to the most popular rides and attractions at that time. It think they are doing reservations now too, but check the book or maybe someone here can confirm.

If you are staying on site, you can use the free transportation they provide to get you around. It's pretty easy to use and will get you to the most popular locations. Catch at least one breakfast who with some of the Disney Characters. This let's you spend a little (not much) time with the Characters.

I can't recommend getting the book enough - it will answer so many questions and give you a good heads up on what's good to see. It will also discuss the best strategy on getting the most out of the parks. Again the last thing you want to do is casually walk through the parks, you will miss so much you can't believe it. You will need to know when the parades are scheduled, and things like that. The Magic Kingdom usually has 2 parades, you should go to one and then when the other one is going on, go to a popular ride as this is when the lines are shortest. All this is covered in that book though, so you should read it!

Welcome

Welcome to Kevins Tips.

Over the years, I've found myself delving out a lot of tips via email. Tips ranging from new websites, computer tips, money saving tips, photography tips, tips on saving money, etc.

Doing this via email is OK, but it limits the scope of my audience, and I find I'm repeating myself over time.

Well I've thus decided to put this information in a more central location, hence this Blog.

I hope you find it useful and informative.