Q: What is RSS?
What is RSS?

A: RSS is an XML format that stands for "Really Simple Syndication" or "Rich Site Summary" or even "Really Stops Spam", depending on who you talk to. Basically it's really just a standardized format for sharing content over the Internet. RSS is a lot like TiVo but for the Internet - you get to choose what content you want and when.

  

Q: What is Atom?
What is Atom?

A: Atom is both a new standard for developers, as well as a universal XML syndication format or "feed" for your blog or website content. It functions essentially the same way as RSS, but is open-source.

Q: How do I find new & add content?
How do I find & add new content?

A: To add new channel/content feeds;

1. Find a Atom icon or link next to the content you want to add or use the "Search web for feeds:" search bar to search for content feeds by keyword.

2. Right click the XML, Atom, RSS or RDF icon or link and select "Copy Shortcut", "Copy Link Location" or "Add to MedReader".

3. Click on the green "+" icon in the top left of your screen (or File pull-down menu) in your MedReader to "Add a Content Channel", click "Add" and then browse the new content.

Q: Can I add content from any website?
Can I add content from any website?

A: Only websites which provide (syndicate) their content in XML format (RSS or Atom) can be added to your MedReader. This is because XML uses a standardized template to organize only content which is different from how web pages are presented in HTML. There are millions of websites that do offer content in RSS format such as Yahoo.com, and Atom format such as Blogger.com and many more being added each day. By using the "Search web for feeds:" search box in MedReader, or using a content aggregator website such as Syndic8.com, you can search to find which websites do offer XML formats for your MedReader.

If you are interested in publishing your own xml feeds, please contact us at info@medreader.com or simply enter in the website below to learn more: http://publishers.medreader.com.

Q: What if the website does not have xml content or an RSS feed?
What if the website does not have xml content or an RSS feed?

A: To automatically create an RSS feed for a website that doesn't offer one, visit http://publishers.medreader.com/

Q: How do I delete content or unsubscribe?
How do I delete content or unsubscribe?

A: To delete content and unsubscribe from a content channel, you simply highlight the channel title in the Folder Panel (left side panel), and click on the red "X" icon in the top menu.

If you want to keep the channel but clear all topics within that channel, you can right click your mouse while highlighting the channel you want to clear, and select "Clear Channel".

To delete all topics but keep channels intact, right click and select "Clear All Channels".

If you want to delete individual topics from within a content channel, simply highlight the topic in the Channel Panel (top right) and right-click on your mouse to select "Delete A Topic". Under the "View / Preferences" pull-down menu, you can also indicate how often content should be deleted from MedReader (e.g. every 30 days is the default).

Q: How will I know when new content arrives?
How will I know when new content arrives?


A: When new content arrives, a small pop-up message will appear on your system tray to alert you of fresh content and will then disappear after a specified number of seconds, or can be closed by clicking on the "X" in the top right corner. This pop-up reminder can be disabled under the "View / Preferences" pull-down menu options and the length of time it displays for can also be adjusted.

Q: How can I better organize content?
How can I better organize content?

A: MedReader enables you to create folders and drag and drop topics and channels into them to help organize your content feeds. Simply click on the "File" pull-down menu and select "Create Folder" to add a folder to the left side Folder Panel. You can also delete or rename folders under the "File" pull-down menu. By clicking on the grey "Folders" header bar, you can also sort your folders alphabetically.

Q: How do I import or export my content and folders?
How do I import or export my content and folders?


A: To import content folders, channels and topics from a friend or a second computer, click on the "File / Import Channels" pull-down menu item and select the file name which you would like to import (ends with an .opml extension). Once imported, click on the Refresh icon to load new topics. Import files do not have to originate from MedReader, and can be any .opml file formatted for RSS or Atom feeds.

To export your content settings, select "File / Export Channels" and then save your settings to a file stored on your computer for sharing with others (will require an .opml extension).

Q: Can I have topics automatically updated or deleted at certain times?
Can I have topics automatically updated or deleted at certain times?


A: To update or refresh topics at a regular time interval, simply click on the "View" pull-down menu, select "Preferences", check the box next to the option: "Check topics every: X hours/minutes" and select your desired time interval. To delete topics after a set period of time, under this same menu item, check the box next to: "Automatically delete topics after: X days" and modify the number of days before topics will be deleted.

Q: How do I create a new feed?
How do I create a new feed?

A: We have a web based publishing system that is ideal for those that are looking to have an RSS Feed for their Medical site. Go to http://publishers.medreader.com/ for more information.

Q: Is the feed added to the MedReader directory?
Is the feed added to the MedReader directory?

A: If you utilize our web based medical rss publishing system, each of your topics, items, and feeds will be automatically inserted into the MedReader directory.

Q: Why do I get this message: "Cannot open MedReader document file. Please make sure it is accessible for reading and writing"?
Why do I get this message: "Cannot open MedReader document file. Please make sure it is accessible for reading and writing"?


A: You may already have MedReader running in the background while you are trying to open or start another instance. Check your "Windows Task Bar" menu for a "T" icon, and either click that icon to open MedReader, or close/exit and try restarting MedReader again. You may also want to view the "Windows Task Manager" (hold down: Ctrl, Alt and Del) to see if it is already running there.

Q: I get this message "Error reading index of -- channel" or "Stream read error" and MedReader then hangs - what can I do?
I get this message "Error reading index of -- channel" or "Stream read error" and MedReader then hangs - what can I do?

A: In this case, your data file may be broken. Try exporting channels to an OPML file, exit
MedReader, delete My MedReader folder from My Documents folder, run MedReader again and import OPML list again.

Q: How do I import or export my content and folders?
How do I import or export my content and folders?

A: To import content folders, channels and topics from a friend or a second computer, click on the "File / Import Channels" pull-down menu item and select the file name which you would like to import (ends with an .opml extension). Once imported, click on the Refresh icon to load new topics. Import files do not have to originate from MedReader, and can be any .opml file formatted for RSS or Atom feeds.

To export your content settings, select "File / Export Channels" and then save your settings to a file stored on your computer for sharing with others (will require an .opml extension).

Q: Can I save a topic to my hard drive for viewing when offline?
Can I save a topic to my hard drive for viewing when offline?

A: Yes, you can right click your mouse over the Topic Panel (top right) to "Export Topic" as an HTML file to your PC's hard drive, for viewing feeds while working remotely without Net access.

Q: How do I view and download feed attachments, enclosures & Podcasts?
How do I view and download feed attachments, enclosures & Podcasts?

A: Feeds that contain attachments (also called "enclosures") to be downloaded have a paper-clip next to them. To download those attachments, such as music, video or audio files, simply double-click on the feed in the Channel Panel. To view download activity - under the "View" pull-down menu, click on "Downloads" to view attachments.

Q: How do I add music to my iPod or iTunes or other media players?
How do I add music to my iPod or iTunes or other media players?


A: To automatically sync music downloaded from feeds with attachments (enclosures) in MedReader, you must select "View / Attachments and Podcasting..." from the pull-down menu, and click on the "Podcasting Options..." tab, and check the box under "Playlists Control" that says "Populate iTunes playlist with downloaded file". There are also similar options for downloading music to Windows Media Player or WinAmp music players.

Q: How do I uninstall MedReader?
How do I uninstall MedReader?

A: Simply find the file in your program files folder and click uninstall. Additionally if you are using windows, you can go to Start>All Programs>MedReader>Uninstall MedReader

Q: Can I change the way I can view content in MedReader?
Can I change the way I can view content in MedReader?

A: Yes, you can easily hide folders, channels or topics by selecing from the "View" pull-down menu, and unchecking the Panel which you would like to hide from view.

Q: How will I know when new content has been updated?
How will I know when new content has been updated?

A: When new content has been added or updated to one of your channels, a pop-up window will appear for 20 seconds indicating the channels which contain new topics, and the number of new topics within each feed will also appear next to the channel title. If you do not want this pop-up window to appear at all, simply click on the "View" pull-down menu, select "Preferences" and uncheck this option. You may also close the pop-up window at any time by clicking the "X" in the top right corner.

Q: Can I have topics automatically updated or deleted at certain times?
Can I have topics automatically updated or deleted at certain times?


A: To update or refresh topics at a regular time interval, simply click on the "View" pull-down menu, select "Preferences", check the box next to the option: "Check topics every: X hours/minutes" and select your desired time interval. To delete topics after a set period of time, under this same menu item, check the box next to: "Automatically delete topics after: X days" and modify the number of days before topics will be deleted.

Q: Can I have MedReader load automatically when starting my computer?
Can I have MedReader load automatically when starting my computer?

A: Yes, click on the "View/Preferences" pull-down menu option and check the box next to this option.

Q: How do I flag topics that I want to read again later?
How do I flag topics that I want to read again later?

A: To flag items to read later, simply highlight the feed topic in the Channel Panel (top right) and right click your mouse. You can then select "Toggle Topic Flag" to add a flag icon next to the topic feed you want highlight. You can also select "More Flags" to add up to 5 different colors of flags next to each item.

Q: Why don't scripts or pop-ups work in the Topic Panel?
Why don't scripts or pop-ups work in the Topic Panel?


A: As a result of overwhelming feedback, all scripts have been disabled in the Topic Panel (Bottom Right) area by default. This has been done to stop pop-up advertisements from automatically displaying while trying to view a feed. However, if you wish to enable scripts - you can do so in the "View / Preferences" pull-down and check "Allow scripting in web browser."