This guide gives instructions on how to create email alerts and add RSS feeds to some of the databases from the BC Library.
Why should I use them?
RSS feeds and email alerts can help you find out about new literature in your field, such as:
RSS feeds publish frequently updated web content in a standardized XML format which can be subscribed to using a variety of programs called feed readers or aggregators.
A comparison of RSS feeds and email alerts is below.
Source: MIT Libraries (with permission)
| Aspect | RSS Feeds | Email Alerts |
|
Need to log-in or register with content provider? |
Subscribing to feeds is (usually) anonymous. | You must set up an account for each, so there are multiple logins to deal with and some lack of privacy. |
|
Is it segregated or integrated with your other content? |
Segregates your news so it doesn't get buried as you deal with more urgent emails. | Integrates your news with your email so there is only one interface to check. |
|
How easy is it to manage? |
Items are automatically deleted or marked as read; much easier to manage if you fall behind in your reading. You can choose to save items for later. | Every news item that comes in has to be manually deleted, filed, or filtered in some way. |
|
What's the interface like? |
Different readers allow different layouts and usually have customizable preferences. | Similar to RSS feeds. |
|
How available is it? |
Common for table of contents alerts, but only some databases have RSS feeds for saved searches. | Common. |
Source: MIT Libraries (with permission)
