Free Article: RSS for the Real World
posted in WebMaster Tools |It never ceases to amaze me that once we master a certain technology, we so quickly forget we were once novices at it with a million questions and a certain degree of frustration. We need to remember the best-designed and most simple technology wins us over and stays with us forever remember your first cell phone?
This past summer, I received an e-mail from a blog reader, “I really enjoy your blog, but I only read it once a month or so, because most of my blog reading isdone with RSS feeds (I mainly use News Gator). Blogs I’m not subscribed to willeventually not get read at all.”
What was he talking about? RSS? News Gator? I had no clue. I thought it was cool enough just to have my own blog! <b>How do I set up RSS? Do I need RSS?
Great! More stuff I had to learn.or so I thought.
What is RSS?
RSS is a “techie” acronym for Really Simple Syndication or Rich Site Summary, depending on who you talk to, the time of day and the day of the week. Also referred to as an RSS feed or XML feed, this protocol is an application of XML that provides an open method of syndicating (or distributing) and aggregating Web content.
RSS is the hottest thing in Web communication and the beauty of it is that it really is simple. Just like that first cell phone!
RSS is basically a stream of data in its most pure form: content separated from presentation. For instance, RSS feeds syndicated news headlines on some of the largest news sites. It also powers knowledge management networks and Weblogs.
Other web development expert define RSS :
RSS is a technology that has the potential of overcoming many of the internet marketing challenges we are facing today and becoming a strong, if not preferred, content delivery vehicle.
The simple RSS explanation from the marketing point of view is that RSS is a simple to use publishing tool for marketers and publishers, which allows them to get their content delivered to end-users and other “content consumers”, enabling marketers and publishers to better achieve their business goals.
While achieving not more than marginal penetration, its usage is growing with astounding speed. RSS is already used by the majority of the most reputable media sites, by a satisfactory number of corporations and by almost “all” bloggers.
According to a report from the Pew Internet & American Life Project, based on two nationwide phone surveys conducted in the U.S. in November (1861 internet users), 5% (6 million) Americans online consume news and information through RSS or XML aggregators.
Source: ClickZ
RSS is a content delivery channel that allows you to easily deliver internet content to your target audiences (end-users), while eliminating a large part of the external noise and shortcomings of other delivery channels.
In addition, RSS content can be delivered to other websites; such as search engines, specialized RSS directories, special content aggregation sites and other site types. All of this using just one technology …
What Are RSS Feeds?
RSS content is delivered through RSS feeds — simple files structured in a specific way [xml]. These files include some basic information about the RSS feed (such as RSS feed title, logo, description, URL etc.) and the actual content in the form of individual content items. These content items are individual stories or articles (usually just descriptions of articles actually published on the internet publisher’s web site), presented in a linear list.
Using RSS, you can supply a data feed of headlines, links and article summaries from your Web site.
RSS feeds are read by a Web-based tool called a news aggregator. News aggregators, such as News Gator, are typically a free download that allow you to view RSS site subscriptions. An RSS feed is produced whenever content is added to the site to which you’ve subscribed.
Will I know RSS When I See It?
For the 2 percent of you who regularly visit Weblogs (according to Forrester Research), you may notice a small icon or the words “Syndicate this site (XML)”. These links indicate that the site has an RSS feed to which you can subscribe through your news aggregator or syndicate on your Weblog or Website.
Viewing RSS from the Web is not pretty. It looks a bit like bizarre Web code to the uninitiated . you probably wouldn’t want to try to read it. Instead, rely on your news aggregator to decipher the code.
How Do I Get RSS on My Site?
Simple. If you use one of the major Weblog tools such as Blogger or Movable Type, you already have RSS. All you need to do is link your site to the link the Weblog tool provides for the RSS feed that is automatically created when you publish your Weblog.
If you don’t see this option in your Weblog tool, e-mail your Weblog support staff for directions. It really is that simple.
So, What’s in it for Me?
There are several advantages to offering an RSS or XML feed on your site or using RSS to get your news and information:
• There is no such thing as .SPAM RSS.. Your RSS feed is an intravenous link into a user’s news aggregator and nothing can come between the two.
• RSS feeds allow users to keep up on your site without visiting it every day. Most users visit up to 20 sites a week and no more.
• You can syndicate your data other Web sites and news sources without sending them press releases (if your press release section has an RSS feed).
However, every great technology is not without it.s disadvantages, and RSS has a few:
• RSS usage and news aggregator adoption is very limited at this time. Hence, the reach for your RSS feed is currently shallow.
• RSS is only text. Those great images you put on your site and in your e-newsletters are lost in an RSS feed.
• There is currently no way to know how many people use your RSS feed and what the open and click-through rates are on RSS syndicated content.
What.s in Store for RSS?
RSS has gained quick acceptance in certain circles such as small technology companies, innovative consulting organizations and personal publishers. Yet, it has not gained much traction in the IT departments of most mid-sized to large companies, which are typically slower to adopt up-and-coming technologies like Weblogs and RSS. AOL has put RSS technology into its upcoming AOL 10 software, and Microsoft will most likely support RSS in Outlook and Outlook Express similar to how it supports newsgroup reading. Further, free Web sites like Geocities also offer Weblog tools with RSS feeds as part of the feature set.
RSS is positioned to become a mainstream content delivery and consumption tool, but first a few things need to happen:
• Larger technology players and publishers need to adopt RSS as a content sharing and dissemination medium.
• People need to recognize the benefits of obtaining information via RSS.
• Companies need to allow employees to install RSS aggregators on their machines.
While RSS may not replace the e-mail newsletter as some have predicted, it will become a formidable force in corporate and personal communication in the very near future.
Links to some useful RSS resources on the Web:
[1] RSS Tutorial for Content Publishers and Webmasters by Mark Nottingham
URL: http://www.mnot.net/rss/tutorial/
[2] Explanation of RSS, how you can use it, and finding RSS feeds
URL: http://www.faganfinder.com/search/rss.shtml
[3] BBC News site offers syndication feeds
URL: http://holovaty.com/blog/archive/2002/09/03/1206
[4] Miller, P. (2003). Syndicated content: more than just some file formats?, Ariadne Issue 35
URL: http://www.ariadne.ac.uk/issue35/miller/
[5] Gillmor, Dan (August 17, 2003). New wave of newsreader software makes sense of the Web,
URL: http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/siliconvalley/6553262.htm
[6] Moffat, M. (August 20, 2003). RSS - A Primer for Publishers & Content Providers
