RSS is an acronymn for Really Simple Syndication or Rich Site Summary. RSS (noun) - an XML format for distributing news headlines on the Web.

RSS is an acronymn for Really Simple Syndication or Rich Site Summary.

RSS (noun) - an XML format for distributing news headlines on the Web.

RSS FeedsRSS FeedsThis presentation will answer the following questions:

What is RSS? Why use RSS? What is RSS used for? How do I create RSS Feeds? How do I view RSS feeds?

What is RSS?What is RSS?

RSS is a defined standard for syndicating headlines and other content.

RSS is created using XML or eXtensible Markup Language, which is a markup language similar to HTML. All fields are defined. Tags are used to denote the field’s classification. Like HTML, proper construction requires that tags are both opened and closed.

Example: <title> Title of Item in Feed </title>

RSS has been around for more than a decade, but only recently the standard has been embraced by bloggers, webmasters and large news portals as a means of distributing Information, in a standardized format.

Why use RSS?Why use RSS?

RSS as a means of communicating:

Email is burdened with:

• SPAM - messages are often deleted or are filtered because of cluttered mailboxes• Viruses – more and more legitimate messages are not reaching their destination due to the proliferation of viruses.

Benefits to RSS:

• Opt-In – users elect which feeds which they subscribe to.• Syndication – RSS is a defined standard for syndicating content, feeds extend reach• Content – steady stream of fresh web content• Aggregation – users can quickly scan multiple content streams and click on items of interest saving time• Traffic – increased exposure and traffic for web sites

Why Use RSS?Why Use RSS?

This Alexa graph represents traffic increase on Software Marketing Resource.

After the beginning of July SMR began updating their RSS feed on a daily basis, the significant traffic increase is evident in the graph above.

What is RSS used for?What is RSS used for?

Initially RSS was restricted to News Headlines. As RSS’ popularity has increased the uses For RSS have expanded. Common uses for RSS include:

• Blogs – summaries of daily blog posts• Newsletters – synopses of newsletters alerting users that a new newsletter is available• Weather Alerts – notification of severe weather • Press Announcements – new product announcements• Specials or Discounts – weekly deals or discount offers for customers• Calendars – listings of upcoming events, deadlines or holidays

Common Industry specific uses for RSS include:

• Service Industry – notification of viruses or security alerts• Real Estate – listings of open houses or new homes on the market• Schools – homework listings• Restaurants – lunch or dinner specials• Law Enforcement – announce sexual predators in area

How do I create an RSS feed?How do I create an RSS feed?

RSS feeds can be created using :

• a text editor• using desktop software

In order to use a text editor you must be familiar with all of the fields and accepted formats. The following sites can be used as resources:

http://www.rss-specifications.comhttp://www.make-rss-feeds.com

How do I create an RSS feed?How do I create an RSS feed?

To create feeds using desktop software, you may want to consider FeedForAll . FeedForAll allows users to quickly and easily, create, editand publish RSS feeds that conform to specifications.

FeedForAll has a built in wizard that makes feed creation very easy.

FeedForAll’s Feed Creation WizardFeedForAll’s Feed Creation Wizard

Feed Title –Enter the title of your RSS feed. This is the generally the theme that your Feed will follow. Similar to the title ofa website’s index page.

FeedForAll’s Feed Creation WizardFeedForAll’s Feed Creation Wizard

Feed Description –Enter the description of yourRSS feed.

This is a summary of theme thatthe RSS feed will follow.

Similar to a website’s description.

FeedForAll’s Feed Creation WizardFeedForAll’s Feed Creation Wizard

Feed Link –Enter the link of your RSS feed.

This is the link of the website containing contents related tothe RSS feed.

FeedForAll’s Feed Creation WizardFeedForAll’s Feed Creation Wizard

Item Title –Within each feed is a number of items. Each item containsinformation related to specifictopic within the theme. It couldbe a blog post, or a special offer.

FeedForAll’s Feed Creation WizardFeedForAll’s Feed Creation Wizard

Item Description –Summary of item. Often thisIs an overview or portion of the item.

FeedForAll’s Feed Creation WizardFeedForAll’s Feed Creation Wizard

Item Link –Include exact url to item on web page, its best for each item to have a unique link. Feeds generally contain multiple items. These couldbe blog posts, news items, items on sale…

FeedForAll’s Feed Creation WizardFeedForAll’s Feed Creation Wizard

Additional information, including images can be added to RSS feeds to enhance them.

RSS Feeds CreatedRSS Feeds Created

Once a Feed is created, you have a number of options.

1. The feed can be posted on the website with a graphic signifying that a feed exists.

2. Feeds can be exported to HTML or HTML tables and included in thewebsite as a server side include.

3. RSS feeds can be submitted to RSS search engines. There is a large list at: http://www.rss-specifications.com/rss-submission.htm

Graphics Indicating FeedGraphics Indicating Feed

How do I read RSS feeds?How do I read RSS feeds?

RSS feeds can be read two different ways.

1. Desktop RSS feed reader or news aggregator

2. Web based RSS feed reader.

Desktop Feed ReadersDesktop Feed Readers

There are a number of desktop RSS Readers available like FeedDemon

http://www.feeddemon.com

A large list of RSS feed readers is available at:

http://www.rss-specifications.com/rss-software.htm

To subscribe to a specific RSS feed, simply enter the url of the RSS file into the software, the extension is usually .xml or .rss

Desktop Feed ReadersDesktop Feed Readers

FeedDemon RSS ReaderTo add feeds, simply enter the url of the .xml or .rss file. The software will routinely check forfeed updates, and maybe able to auto-detect sites that have feeds available.

Desktop Feed ReadersDesktop Feed Readers

Once feeds are added they will appear in the list. In the left handcolumn feeds are listed, they are bolded when a feed is updated. The right hand side displays theactual contents of the feed.

If a headline is of interest usersimply click on the the headline.

Web Based ReadersWeb Based Readers

Web based readers work similar to desktop clients, they are often designed to be start pages.

Simply enter the urls of the feeds you wish to monitor, often they will allow you to determine thenumber of items that you want to see for each feed. Each time feeds are updated new items willAppear in your web browser.

Popular web based readers include:

FeedScout – http://www.feedscout.comActive Web Reader – http://www.deskshare.com/awr.aspxYahoo – http://my.yahoo.com can even display RSS feeds.

RSS in SummaryRSS in Summary

The bottom line is that RSS makes surfers more productive and saves time it is not burdenedwith the problems commonly associated with e-mail and offers a great communication venue.

If you have not considered using RSS perhaps its time to take a closer look at:

PresentationPresentation

This presentation by NotePage, Inc. developers of FeedForAll

FeedForAll – http://www.feedforall.com

Additional Resources:

RSS Specifications – http://www.rss-specifications.comBlog Connection – http://www.blog-connection.com

Thank YouThank You