What is RSS?

by Cindy Dykstra

Really Simple Syndication (RSS) is an XML-based format for content distribution via the Internet. This data format is used for serving users frequently updated content that contains web links to longer versions.

RSS is also called a web feed. "Publishing a feed" and "syndication" are two of the more common terms used to describe making available a feed from an information source, such as an article directory, blog., podcast or website. Feeds are also used to deliver structured information ranging from weather data to search results.

Web feeds have some advantages compared to receiving frequently published content via email:When subscribing to a feed, users do not disclose their email address, so users are not increasing their exposure to threats associated with email: spam, viruses, phishing, and identity theft.

Accessing RSS Web Feeds

XML is not very reader-friendly out of the box. If you click on an RSS feed link, your browser may display a page of unformatted gobbledygook. What you are looking at is the unformatted XML, although most newer browsers have a feed reader built in and will display an RSS file in an easy to read format like a web page.

A website or program that makes a customized collection we feeds available in one spot is known as an aggregator or feed reader. Many of them are free to use and allow you to receive updated content from many sources by logging into one web site or setting up software to run in the background on your computer and notify you when updated content is available.

The user subscribes to a particular web feed, and thereafter receives updated contents, every time updating takes place. When you subscribe to a given website's feed by using a feed reader, you'll receive a summary of new content from that website.

In the typical scenario of using web feeds, a content provider publishes a feed link on their site which end users can register with an aggregator program running on their own machines; doing this is usually as simple as dragging the link from the web browser to the aggregator. This is known as an offline web feed and is downloaded to the user's system.

You can also access RSS web feeds via an on-line aggregator. You create an account, then subscribe to feeds from within the aggregator or by clicking an RSS link on any website that offers web feeds. These feed readers are only available on-online, but keep you from having to download anything to your computer.

In either case, when instructed, the aggregator asks all the servers in its feed list if they have new content; if so, the aggregator either makes a note of the new content or downloads it.

If users want to stop receiving certain content, they do not have to send an "unsubscribe" request; users can simply remove the feed from their aggregator.

RSS web feeds allow users to save time by bringing all their sources of new content to them instead of having to search or visit many sites to get the information.

About the Author

Cindy Dykstra is an editor for http://www.article-directorysite.com where you can find quality RSS feeds on over 350 topics.

source:www.goarticles.com

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Blogging and RSS

by Fred Kungu

RSS feeds are generally being utilized in blogs or news sites, though any website wanting to broadcast and publish information can use them. Once new information is sent, it will contain a headline, a little bit of text, and either a rundown or a brief review of the news or story. A link is needed be clicked upon to read further.

So as to accept RSS feeds, an RSS feed reader is needed, also called an aggregator. Aggregators are widely and freely available online, and all that is needed is a bit of searching, you will be able to locate a certain interface that best interest you. What's more, RSS feeds can likewise be read and retrieved from cell phones and on PDAs.

Once you encounter upon a website that you want to add or insert to the aggregator, the process can be done in two ways. Almost all sites offering an RSS feed displays an "RSS" or "XML" button in their homepage and with one click, it promptly add that particular feed to one's aggregator. Some aggregator however, requires the need to copy and then paste the URL of the feed unto the program.

Whatever the method used, you can be certain that the feed will be accessible soon as you have inserted it, likewise, in just seconds, the next update can arrive. In the event that you do not anymore would want to accept or take in updates, you may simply delete or erase the feed from the aggregator.

Through e-mail subscriptions, you can receive newsletters. RSS feeds on the other hand, can be more convenient in keeping up with newsletter updates since they are prompt and available in an instant; you no longer have to wait for a scheduled time or day to obtain a news summary, plus, these news will never be detained through a spam filter. RSS feeds are widely used everyday by individuals who understand and appreciate the accessibility of fast reports and news that can be readily read and only read certain updates that appeals to them.

Useful resources:

RSS Advertising Options
20 Oct 2006 by Darren Rowse
Feedvertising (aff) - the most recent arrival on the RSS advertising front - this system is from Text Link Ads and is what you see operating in the ProBlogger feeds at present. I've introduced it here in more detail but it is currently ...
problogger Blog Tips - http://www.problogger.net

Marketers Get Social - Still Have A Hangup About Cell Phones
14 hours ago by DG
RSS and Podcast advertising is expected to gain widespread adoption. It will be interesting to see how the RSS adoption fares. I drop feeds with advertising in them and RSS targeting has been really poor.
Speaking Freely - http://speakingfreely.wordpress.com

Aggregators are popular use of feeds, having several kinds. Web aggregators or portals as they are sometimes called, create this view which is then made available in a Web page. Also, Aggregators have been incorporated into e-mail patrons, users of desktops, or dedicated and standalone software.

Offering a collection of special features, such as combining more than a few related feeds in just a single view, hiding certain entries or statements that has been already viewed, and classifying entries and feeds, the aggregator is a versatile component.

Why make a feed available?

You will have more viewers, since now, your viewers can conveniently see your site without even going out and looking for that certain site. While at first, it may seem corrupt, it will in fact enhance the visibility of your site; this is so because users can easily keep up or keep tract with your site, to allow them to view in a way that they want to; it's more probable that guests are aware should something that is in their interest is available or accessible on your site.

For instance, every month your website broadcasts a new feature. Having no RSS news feed, your viewers will always have to keep in mind to go to your site in a certain time to see if they discover something new; that is, if they can remember, and if they still have the time. However, if you supply a feed for your viewers, they can just point to their aggregator and it will instantly provide them a link along with a description of happenings or events at your site immediately.

What format to choose?

Syndication is very confusing as it uses a lot of formats that can usually be come across in the web. However, this can easily be solved as in general, syndicated libraries are used by aggregators which conceptualize a particular format that a feed is in, in order that they can utilize a certain syndication feed.

With this, whatever format to pick is just a matter of personal preference. RSS 1.0 is far reaching, and practical should it be integrated into Semantic Web systems. RSS 2.0 is very easy and simple create by hand. And atom is an IETF Standard, does it brings constancy, stability and a natural and accepted community to support its usage.

Useful link:

Web marketing
FUN! Glumpers - Pistolet de Croissance
15 hours ago by rss@dailymotion.com (YforYerom)
See more at Advertising Pawn : http://adpawn.ovh.org. Author: YforYerom Tags: Glumpers Growth Gun pistolet croissance grossissant fesse fesses tete corps monstres make studio animation image synthese 3D CG cgi court metrage country:US ...
Dailymotion - videos - http://www.dailymotion.com/tag/animation

You may freely republish this article as long as all links remain intact. For more on RSS, please visit - http://freeadvertisingtool.com/resources/links-internet-marketing/index.html

No Comment | Posted in » aggregators, RSS feeds, XML