The STASH:
The ABC's of RSS

portions of this article were previously published in Scribe& Quill Magazine, May, 2005

By Jill E. Vaile   ^{(c) 2007}

A blog provides a unique manner of communication between reader and creator. To maximize the distribution of updates, and increase readership of your blog, add on an RSS feed option.

RSS adds information to your blog and your brain!

WHAT IS RSS?

RSS is a process used to "subscribe" to a constant flow of information, by a self-determined schedule, from any site that offers it.
This information flow is known as "Live Feed".

Reasons to subscribe to a site's Live Feed are:
To receive information regularly needed or tracked, because of personal interest.

To add to the topic of one's Blog, or Website, as a supportive measure, or to provide information on external site(s) of similar topic or content that readers can refer to.

WHY RSS?

RSS simplifies the process of remembering to check a certain site, and can eliminate the need to subscribe to an ezine or newsletter. All of the information received via your Subscription is as current as possible. You can also use it to obtain ideas for future writing projects from its vast array of categories available.

HOW RSS WORKS: Simply Stated

To add RSS to your blog, you require a specific software program.
Once installed the program enables you to subscribe to (or opt for) "RSS Feeds".
That program then is known as an Aggregator, or News Aggregator.

Subscribe to RSS at your favorite web site or blog. First, determine the availability of any RSS Feed(s) at your chosen site.
If it is available, then click on the orange RSS Feed button, and copy the URL for that particular feed.
Follow your Aggregator's instructions to "subscribe" to a specific Feed.
You can also select the delivery schedule for the frequency of the updates you will receive.

RSS stands for REALLY SIMPLE SYNDICATION.
In this case, "syndicated" does not refer to columns like "Ann Landers", or comic strips, like "PEANUTS" or "Blondie".

In the RSS context, the information one subscribes to is the "SYNDICATION".

You cannot SUBSCRIBE to a Feed without the use of an Aggregator program. Locating and subscribing to the feed is not particularly difficult. Feeds are transmitted in XML code, and then changed into a readable format.

How To Choose An Aggregator Program

The type of program you select can effect the degree of difficulty you encounter while setting it up. RSS programs range in price from free to upwards of $100.00.
When choosing your software, keep in mind that if you already have a Blog, you may already have an Aggregator. If so, use that one and save your money. You can easily decide to buy one later, once you have decided what features work best for your needs.

Aggregators are available in two different display options:

Aggregators that display your feed in the Web Page style
or
Aggregators that display your feed in an Email style (like clickable messages.)

• NEWSGATOR
• for WINDOWS
• NETNEWSWIRE
• MAC O/S X desktop RSS reader
• NEWZCRAWLER
• Multi-platform

  Here are some examples of Aggregators that display in the WEB SITE STYLE, followed by the Platform they support:

  • LIVE JOURNAL
  • Multi-platform NOTE: LiveJournal' s Aggregator is not part of their free service package.
  • RADIO USERLAND
  • WINDOWS & MAC news Aggregators included with Blog software applications
  • RADIO USERLAND EXTENSION
  • Aggregate from RSS to any data source, including XML,HTML & SOAP formats
  • AMPHETADESK
  • Multi-platform, Perl based desktop reader, supports WINDOWS, LINUX, MAC O/S, runs in browser

  Remember that Aggregators are constantly being developed and refined. If you are not satisfied with your present one, look around in about 3-6 months. There will be an entirely new lot to choose from.

  READY FOR A FEED FRENZY?

  You are finally ready to subscribe to some Feeds! You can do this two different ways.
  1. Go directly to a site you know has an RSS Feed available. All sites use an orange box to identify their Feed location. Unfortunately, where those boxes might be is in no way constant. This can make locating them somewhat difficult, if not frustrating. Once you do locate the Feed, clicking on it provides you with the URL of that Feed.
  Copy it, then go to your Aggregator, and follow the instructions to add a subscription.

  2. This method uses a Dedicated RSS Search Site, also known as an RSS Directory.
  Here are some to get you started:

  • SYNDIC8.com
  • FEEDSCOUT
  • NEWS IS FREE
  • The FEED DIRECTORY
  • RSS EXPRESS
  • RSS Feeds
  • TECHNORATI
  • BLOOGZ RSS FINDER
  • DAYPOP
  
  
  

  NOTE:
  Some Aggregators come with pre-loaded feeds, or may suggest some to you.
  Also some will assist you in locating new feeds.

  *There is an option available that allows you to bypass the use of an Aggregator completely. However, this option remains totally separate from yours or any other Blog, and it can never be added to one. However, as a method to subscribe to RSS Feeds, without any other technical involvement, it is a good way to go about things.

  YAHOO offers a very good example of this. If you have a YAHOO I.D., sign in at YAHOO.com .
  If you do not have a YAHOO I.D., join
  When you are at Your Own YAHOO page or your home page at YAHOO, click on "Add Content". This brings you to a page offering three options to find/add content to your page:

  By Search Box
  By Browsing Topics as listed OR
  By "What's Popular"/ "Editors Picks"

  You can also add RSS Feed by entering the Feed's URL if you know it. Your subscriptions will become part of the content on your "My YAHOO" page.

  YAHOO also encourages what they call "Roll Your Own RSS NewsFeed". Click on "learn about RSS " and the page it brings you to offers this option on the lower left column.You then create a tracking by entering specific search words.
  Whenever new content is posted anywhere with your words, you will be notified. Additionally, YAHOO encourages you to add your own RSS Feed from your site or Blog to their Feed base.You can even add your YAHOO Groups to the Feed, and obtain updates that way!

  RSS is a very useful tool to keep current with any and all reading information. It is also an excellent addition to your Blog as an aggressive means of supporting or promoting your point of view, product, information and more. If you are into the Blogging scene, it is just not complete without RSS.

  More Information on RSS below
  (includes a "Walk-Through" Set-Up)
  
  

  • Tools For Your Blog
  • includes add-ons, software, templates, hosts, and way more!
  • How To Use & Create RSS
  • from a non-technical p.o.v.
  • Open Source Class
  • RSS Feeds
  • An RSS Primer
  • for Publishers and Content Providers
  • In Depth RSS Info
  • RSS Gov't Site
  • very detailed "How To"
      
  
  
      
  
  

  Now that you know all about RSS, check out someof these other informative pages from The STASH!
  
  Intro To Blogs     About Blogs     Blogs To Read    Blog Tools    Blogs In Education      MEDIA & WRITERS BLOGS    
  Blogs In Education 2     
  
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