National Geographic News headlines and story summaries are available via RSS (Really Simple Syndication) files. The files can be read using a variety of programs known as online news aggregators, or readers.

The software enables Internet users to automatically receive instant news and information updates from National Geographic News and other Web sites.

RSS is a form of XML (eXtensible Markup Language) that codes headlines, story descriptions, and other data that can be scraped by news readers.

When National Geographic News editors publish new and updated content (typically once or twice each weekday), changes automatically appear wherever RSS syndication is implemented.

Aggregators require little technical expertise, and even allow Web site administrators to add RSS content feeds to their own sites. Popular news aggregator software programs include

• FeedDemon (Windows)
• Amphetadesk (Windows, Linux, Mac)
• NetNewsWire (Mac)
• Radio (Windows or Mac)
• NewsWatcher (Windows XP)
• NewzCrawler (Windows) and
• Shrook (for Mac OS 10).

Visit any of these or other sites to install aggregator software and build your own personal media syndicate.

If you'd prefer to let a Web site do the aggregating for you, many (often free) options exist. Some allow you to receive headlines within your e-mail system or via a crawling "ticker" on your desktop.

My Yahoo! users, for example, can add RSS to their personal pages. Other options for dedicated RSS sites include

• NewsGator,
• Syndic8,
• Bloglines,
• Feedster, and
• Pluck.

Interested in learning more? Check out the following RSS resources:

• CNET
• Lockergnome
• WebReference