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General Information


What is an RSS feed?

RSS is the acronym for Really Simple Syndication (RSS 2.0), RDF Site Summary (RSS 0.9, 1.0 and 1.1) or Rich Site Summary (RSS 0.91), depending on the different versions.

RSS technology, which is a variation of the XML (eXtensible Markup Language) programming language, makes it easier to share and distribute Web content in real-time. Using RSS technology, the author or editor of a Web site can make part or all of the content available for publication on another Web site.

An RSS feed is in fact an XML file that reflects some (or all) of the regularly updated content on a Web site. It allows this content to be easily and automatically republished, or consulted, on another Web site or via another medium, such as a mobile device. It is updated as soon as new content is posted. An RSS feed can normally be identified by the orange icons , or XML.

When you subscribe to an RSS feed, you will be notified in real time when new content has been added to a Web page without even having to visit the Web page itself.

To read the content of an RSS feed, you need an RSS reader or aggregator (see below).


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How does it work?


Step 1

To receive the RSS feed from the Portal, you must first have an RSS reader (also known as feed reader, news reader, feed aggregator or simply aggregator).

What is an RSS reader?

An RSS reader is a downloadable software or a Web application (available on-line) that lets you:

  • subscribe to RSS feeds;
  • automatically receive new content from these feeds;
  • read the new content as soon as it is available.

The RSS reader decodes RSS feeds and displays the content in a readable manner. It groups together, in a single location, all the RSS feeds you have subscribed to, regardless of their origin. In other words, it allows you to consult, in one place, all new content added to your favourite Web sites so that you do not have to visit the different sites one at a time.

There are various types of RSS readers:

  1. Browser-based readers: some browsers, such as Internet Explorer 7 and 8, Firefox and Safari, already include an RSS reader and allow for RSS feeds to be automatically integrated into favourites or bookmarks.
  2. Web-based readers: Web sites or applications such as Google Reader, Netvibes, and My Yahoo! require you to create an account and give you access to your RSS feeds from any computer or Internet-connected mobile device.
  3. Downloadable desktop or mobile readers: software (some are free) that you can download and install directly on your computer or mobile device. However, with this type of reader, the RSS feed can be read only from a specific computer (or mobile device). You can easily find information on the Internet about the software that best suits your operating system or mobile device.
  4. Some e-mail software, such as Microsoft Outlook 2007 and Mozilla Thunderbird 3, allow you to read RSS feeds from your inbox.

To have access to an RSS feed on your mobile device, you must first verify whether you can access the Internet (mobile Internet) from the device. When in doubt, call your mobile service provider or visit the manufacturer's Web site. Although the Language Portal of Canada's RSS feed is free, you should realize that your service provider may charge user fees for this service (mobile Internet).

Where can I find an RSS reader?

Because there are numerous RSS readers available on the Internet, some of which are free, we suggest that you enter "RSS reader" or "RSS aggregator" in your preferred search engine to find the one that best meets your needs.


Step 2

Once you have chosen your RSS reader, use one of the two following procedures to subscribe to the Portal's RSS feed.

Note: The process may vary depending on the type of RSS reader; if necessary, consult the instructions specific to the RSS reader.

Procedure A

Click the orange icon of the feed.

  1. If you are using a browser-based reader, your browser will ask if you want to subscribe to this feed. Just follow the instructions specific to your reader.
  2. If you are not using a browser-based reader, you will be directed to a page with illegible text. Copy the feed's URL from your browser's address bar, then paste it into the appropriate field of your RSS reader.

or

Procedure B

  1. With the right button on your mouse (or the opposite if you are left-handed), click the orange icon of the feed;
  2. A menu will display your options, which are determined by the browser you are using:
    • If you are using Internet Explorer, select Copy Shortcut;
    • If you are using Firefox, Netscape, Opera or another browser, select Copy Link Location;
    • Start your reader and paste the URL of the feed into the appropriate field of your RSS reader.

The feed should now be displayed in your RSS reader.

Each time new content is added to the Language Portal of Canada, your RSS reader will display a message containing all the important elements: title, publication date, short description or summary and link to the full text. Of course, you will have to check your reader occasionally!

You do not have to provide any personal information to subscribe to the Language Portal's RSS feed.

To stop receiving new content from the Language Portal of Canada through the RSS feed, all you need to do is delete the feed (or the URL of the feed) from your RSS reader.


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Conditions of use for the Language Portal of Canada's RSS feed

The content of the Language Portal of Canada's RSS feed was produced or assembled by the Translation Bureau, a special operating agency of Public Works and Government Services Canada that manages the Portal, to provide Canadians with direct access to resources that will help them communicate in both official languages.

The content of the Language Portal of Canada's RSS feed is protected under the Copyright Act, by Canadian laws, policies and regulations, and by international agreements. Such provisions serve to identify the information source and, in specific instances, to prohibit reproduction of the content of the feed without written permission.

Non-commercial reproduction

The information presented in the Language Portal of Canada's RSS feed is distributed with the intent that it be readily available for personal and public non-commercial use and may be reproduced, in part or in whole, and by any means, without charge or further permission of the Translation Bureau. We ask only that:

  • You exercise due diligence in ensuring the accuracy of the materials reproduced (that is, you ensure that the content is faithfully reproduced);
  • You identify Public Works and Government Services Canada as the source organization;
  • You do not represent the reproduction as an official version of the materials reproduced nor as having been made in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of, the Translation Bureau of Public Works and Government Services Canada.

Commercial reproduction

Reproduction of the content of the Language Portal of Canada's RSS feed, in whole or in part, for the purposes of commercial redistribution, is prohibited except with written permission from Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC), the Government of Canada's copyright administrator.

Through the permission-granting process, PWGSC helps to ensure that individuals/organizations wishing to reproduce Government of Canada materials for commercial purposes have access to the most accurate, up-to-date versions.

To obtain permission to reproduce the content of the Language Portal of Canada's RSS feed for commercial use, please complete the Application for Copyright Clearance on Government of Canada Works or contact:

Public Works and Government Services Canada
Publishing and Depository Services
350 Albert Street, 4th floor
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada
K1A 0S5
droitdauteur.copyright@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca

The Translation Bureau may, at its discretion, terminate its RSS service at any time.

If you do not agree to these conditions, you should not consult or use the RSS link on this site.


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In case of difficulties

The Language Portal of Canada is offering this feed on a trial basis. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you are experiencing any difficulties, if you have any suggestions or if you simply wish to let us know that you find this service useful.

Given the wide range of RSS readers, please note that the Language Portal of Canada team cannot offer technical support of any kind. The goal is simply to allow users who prefer the RSS format to use this format instead of the usual browsing method. RSS technology will not necessarily be everyone's preferred technology.

If you are not already using an RSS reader or if you are unfamiliar with the RSS format, you can always subscribe to our E-mail Notification Service.

Date Modified: 2012-05-14

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Important Notices