RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication. It lets you subscribe to websites so you get notified when they post new content, without having to visit each site manually. You need a feed reader like Bloglines (web-based) or SharpReader (desktop). Add the RSS feeds from your favorite sites and all the new articles show up in one place. It's like a custom newspaper.

I honestly think RSS is overhyped. If you only follow a few websites, just bookmark them. But if you're a news junkie following dozens of blogs and sites, RSS is a game changer. Just don't subscribe to too many feeds or you'll feel overwhelmed — start with 5-10 sites you actually read.

Think of RSS like TiVo for websites. Instead of checking 20 different sites every day, your feed reader checks them all for you and shows you what's new. The orange button is the subscription link. Try Google Reader if you want something simple. Once you start using RSS you'll wonder how you lived without it.