Now that we’ve taken a stab at understanding the basics of XML and the idea that disparate tidbits of data can be accumulated and pushed out into information streams, let’s take a look at how people like you and I find, view and navigate all this “raw data”.

The first thing you need is an RSS Feed Reader. Technically speaking, an RSS Aggregator and an RSS Reader are one in the same. Basically an aggregator is an XML parser that overlays an XSLT to transform the data contained inside the XML tags. In layman’s terms, an RSS Reader takes the XML that pukes out when you hit those little buttons (see my prior blog "XML for the Rest of Us") and makes it useful.

There are two main types of RSS Readers: websites that host the information for you, and those that run as software installed on your computer. There are pros and cons to each. There are several free readers available for download. Once you’ve downloaded and installed your RSS Reader, or signed-up for a hosted service, its time to start playing. Below is a screen shot of what the transformed XML from the RSS Feed looks like when its viewed through an RSS Reader.