IE8: How to Add Feeds and WebSlices to the Favorites Bar

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From the computer of: shamanstears (650 recipes)
Created: Mar 12, 2008     Updated: Mar 13, 2008

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Internet Explorer 8's Favorites Bar allows you to add RSS feeds and WebSlices which makes it easy to monitor your favorite sites for new content. RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feeds are web feeds that are used to publish frequently updated content. WebSlices are a completely new feature for IE that allow users to subscribe to certain content contained within a web page. The WebSlice behaves in a similar manner as the RSS feeds, allowing the user to subscribe to the content for updates.

Adding RSS Feeds to the Favorites Bar:

1. To add an RSS Feed to the Favorites Bar, you need to be subscribed to the feed. You do this in the same manner that was used in Internet Explorer 7.

2. Click the Favorites button on the toolbar and select the Feeds tab.



3. Right-click the desired feed and select Monitor on Favorites Bar from the context menu.



4. The feed will be added to the Favorites Bar. When there are unread items in the feed, the feed title will become bolded, making it simple to know when there are new items added. Clicking the assigned button will display the titles of the most recent additions to the feed. Selecting a title will take you to that page.





Adding WebSlices to the Favorites Bar:

1. If a web page contains WebSlices, you will receive a visual notification in two places:

In the toolbar - The RSS Feed indicator icon will change into a purple icon. Selecting the dropdown arrow will list all WebSlices that are available on the page.



On the web page - The WebSlices notification icon will appear when you mouseover certain content on the web page.



2. Select the desired WebSlice by either selecting the displayed title from the toolbar menu list OR clicking the WebSlices icon that appears when you mouseover the desired content. After you have selected the WebSlice, you will be asked if you wish to subscribe to the WebSlice, click the Add button.



3. The Web Slice will appear in the Favorites Bar. Clicking the associated button will display the WebSlice. To open the webpage for the WebSlice, click the Open button at the lower left corner of the opened WebSlice.




To set the update schedule for an RSS feed or WebSlice:

1. Right-click the item on the Favorites Bar.

2. Select Properties

3. Go to the Update schedule section.

4. You can either use the default schedule (which you can change by clicking the Settings button) or use a custom schedule. If you use a custom schedule, use the Frequency dropdown to select how often you want the feed/WebSlice to update.

5. Click the OK button.

6. Click the OK button to close the Properties window.

Note: You can refresh a feed/WebSlice at any time by right-clicking the item on the Favorites Bar and selecting Refresh or refresh all feeds/WebSlices in the Favorites Bar by selecting Refresh All.


To play a sound when an RSS feed or WebSlice is found on a page:

1. Right-click a feed item on the Favorites Bar and select Properties.

2. Click the Settings button.

3. Go to the Advanced section and check the Play a sound when a feed or WebSlice is found for a page checkbox.

4. Click OK.

5. Click the OK button to close the Properties window.


To play a sound when a monitored RSS feed or WebSlice is updated:

1. Right-click a feed item on the Favorites Bar and select Properties.

2. Click the Settings button.

3. Go to the Advanced section and check the Play a sound when a monitored feed or WebSlice is updated checkbox.

4. Click OK.

5. Click the OK button to close the Properties window.


To remove an RSS feed or WebSlice from the Favorites Bar:

1. Right-click the desired feed/WebSlice on the Favorites Bar.

2. Select Delete.

3. Click the Yes button when prompted to confirm the action.