MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. – As part of improvements to Civil Air Patrol’s national Web sites, important information that is regularly updated is being made available to members via RSS Feeds.

RSS is known as “Really Simple Syndication,” but it is sometimes referred to as a “Rich Site Summary.” RSS is a family of Web feed formats used to publish frequently updated works – such as blogs, news headlines, audio and video – in a standard format. They benefit members who want to subscribe to timely updates from headquarter’s Web sites or to consolidated feeds from many different sites into one place.

RSS feeds can be read using software called an “RSS reader,” “feed reader” or “aggregator.” These can either be a Web site based solution, a computer (software) based resource, tied into e-mail applications or even accessed by a mobile device such as your I-Phone or Blackberry.

A recent example of important information being shared via an RSS Feed is the Civil Air Patrol executive director’s “EX’s Open Cockpit.”

“The objective of the CAP ‘Open Cockpit’ is to provide timely and important information to our members about the advancements of the NHQ and volunteer staff teams. One such improvement from NHQ is the expansion of RSS feeds that our members can receive because CAP has embraced Web 2.0 Technologies. I encourage you to check out the list of RSS feeds, including ‘Open Cockpit,’ so that you can stay up to date and informed about your Civil Air Patrol," said CAP National Commander Maj. Gen. Amy Courter.

Many of the national Web pages, including the eServices member services site, at www.capnhq.gov and the VolunteerNow news site have feeds to let members know about important program updates and news.

You can tell if a site has an RSS feed if you see this logo   on the site.

The CAP national Web pages that currently have RSS Syndication enabled are listed below:

EX Open Cockpit (Updates from NHQ and Volunteer National Staff) http://www.capmembers.com/cap_national_hq/ex_open_cockpit.cfm

CAP Online News http://www.capvolunteernow.com/todays_features.cfm

Public Affairs Essentials Blog http://www.capmembers.com/cap_national_hq/public_affairs/pa_essentials.cfm

Cadet Programs Blog http://www.capmembers.com/cadet_programs/

VSAF News http://members.gocivilairpatrol.com/events/vsaf_program/vsaf_news/index.cfm

Official National News Releases http://www.capvolunteernow.com/media_center//news_releases.cfm

Aircraft Management Mandatory Service Bulletins http://members.gocivilairpatrol.com/cap_national_hq/logistics__mission_resources/aircraft_management/mandatory_sbs.cfm

Final Salute to Deceased CAP Members http://www.capvolunteernow.com/final_salute//index.cfm

Columns http://www.capvolunteernow.com/columns//index.cfm

Awards and Decorations http://www.capvolunteernow.com/awards//index.cfm

Maj. Al Pabon, National Public Affairs Team Leader