A plain-language guide for readers who would rather not give us their email.
A small, quiet bit of technology that has been around since the early days of the web.
RSS stands for “Really Simple Syndication.” In plain English, it is a small text file at a fixed address on a website. Whenever the website publishes something new, it adds a line to that file. A program on your computer or phone — called a feed reader — checks the file on a schedule and shows you the new articles as they appear.
If email is like a mailman knocking at your door, RSS is like having a paperboy drop the morning paper on your front step. You decide when to read it. The paperboy doesn’t track which page you opened first. And no one is reading over your shoulder.
It is the oldest, simplest, and most private way to follow a website. It was used heavily in the 2000s, fell out of fashion when social-media feeds took over, and has quietly stayed in use ever since by readers who prefer to choose their own sources.
Lone Trumpet does not have a newsletter and does not collect email addresses. RSS is the way to follow this work without giving up information about yourself. The publication never sees who is subscribed; your reader does not share that list with us. It is the quietest, most private way to keep up — which suits a publication that has refused, on principle, to track its readers.
You only need one. Pick the one that fits where you read — in a browser, on your phone, or on your computer.
Mac · iPhone · iPad · Free · No account required
A free, open-source feed reader for Apple devices. No sign-up, no subscription, no tracking. If you own a Mac, an iPhone, or an iPad, this is the recommended choice — it asks for nothing and gives you a clean, quiet place to read.
https://lonetrumpet.com/rss.xmlWeb browser · iPhone · Android · Free tier
The most popular feed reader. Works in any web browser, and has companion apps for phones. Requires a free account — they keep a record of what you have read in their app, but they do not share that with us. A good choice if you read on multiple devices and want them to stay in sync.
https://lonetrumpet.com/rss.xmlWeb browser · iPhone · Android · Free tier
A more powerful web-based reader. Free for following up to 150 feeds, which is more than most readers will ever need. Good if you want to organize many sources into folders.
https://lonetrumpet.com/rss.xmlWindows · Mac · Free
If you already use Microsoft Outlook or Mozilla Thunderbird for email, you can read RSS feeds in the same program. New articles arrive in their own folder, beside your inbox. No new account to remember.
In Outlook:
https://lonetrumpet.com/rss.xmlIn Thunderbird:
https://lonetrumpet.com/rss.xmlChrome · Firefox · Edge · Free
If you would rather not install a separate program, a browser extension can read feeds inside the browser you already use.
https://lonetrumpet.com/rss.xmlWhichever reader you chose, the steps are the same.
Inside your reader, find the “Add Feed,” “Subscribe,” or + button. Paste the feed address from the top of this page — or click the Copy address button up there and your computer will hold it for you. The reader will check the address, find the Lone Trumpet feed, and add it to your list.
From that moment on, every new article will appear in your reader without you having to do anything. You can read it there in full, or click through to the website. When you have read an article, mark it read; it will disappear from your new-items list.
However you find the work, may it serve you well.