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Learn about the basics of RSS technology, its different versions, and how to find and subscribe to feeds. Discover how RSS can benefit your website by providing easy access to updated information in one place.
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Integrating RSS into Your Web sitePart 1:Introduction Michael SauersTechnology Innovation LibrarianNebraska Library CommissionComputers in Libraries 15 April 2007
Introductions • Name • Library • Position • Does your library use RSS? If so, how? • Why are you here?
What is RSS? • Depending on who you ask it stands for either “Really Simple Syndication”, “Rich Site Summary”, or “RDF Site Summary”. • “Really Simple Syndication” is the de facto definition today. • RSS is an XML language for syndicating news items on the Internet.
The History of RSS • RSS 1.1 (update to RSS 1.0), RSS 3.0 (a new, independent project), and “Simple Sharing Extensions” (an update to RSS 2.0 by Microsoft) have all been proposed but have had no impact yet.
How does RSS work? • The information provider creates an RSS file. • Users subscribe to the file via an aggregator. • When the author updates the RSS file, the user is automatically notified of the new items and may read them on their schedule.
Implications of RSS • Information received in a single location • Information received in quickly • Reduced need to visit the originating Web site
Are there differentversions of RSS? • Yes. In fact, there are currently eight different versions:RSS 0.90, 0.91, 0.92, 0.93, 0.94, 1.0, 2.0, & Atom Feeds • Each has different features from the author’s point of view. • Today’s aggregators support all of the versions transparently. • RSS 2.0 & Atom are the most common.
What does RSS look like? <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" ?> <rss version="2.0"> <channel> <title>BCR: The Third Indicator</title> <link>http://www.bcr.org/publications/thirdind/</link> <description>The Third Indicator, published monthly, is a technical memo focusing on OCLC products and services. It includes general OCLC news as well as detailed technical information on cataloging, reference and resource sharing. Announcements of new OCLC developments are also included.</description> <lastBuildDate>Tue, 21 Sep 2004 21:37:39 GMT</lastBuildDate> <generator>ListGarden Program 1.01</generator> <docs>http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss</docs> <item> <title>WorldCat Resource Sharing Training</title> <link>http://www.bcr.org/publications/thirdind/2004/august/augsharetrain04.html</link> <description>If you'd like to see what WorldCat Resource Sharing looks like and learn more about it, visit the OCLC Web site at www.oclc.org/ill/migration/ or view the WorldCat Resource Sharing tutorial at www5.oclc.org/downloads/tutorials/firstsearch/sv/rsbasics/intro/index.html/.</description> <pubDate>Tue, 21 Sep 2004 19:29:47 GMT</pubDate> <guid isPermaLink="false">thirdind-2004-08-21-19-29-47</guid> </item> </channel> </rss>
How can I find feeds? • Feedster • Bloglines • BlogrollsA list of blogs/feeds read by another blogger • Look for the orange icon…
How do I subscribe to a feed? • Look for an orange icon: • Depending on your aggregator, the subscription procedure may range from copying and pasting the link to right-clicking and selecting “subscribe”.
More RSS icons • “Support the Common Feed Icon” by Rogers Cadenheadhttp://www.cadenhead.org/workbench/news/2872/support-common-feed-icon
A standard icon? • The move is to establish this icon, originally proposed by the Firefox, folks as the syndication icon. • Microsoft’s Internet Explorer 7 will use this icon. • http://www.feedicons.com/
Podcasts • Uses RSS to syndicate audio content • RSS 2.0 <enclosure> • Like adding an attachment to an e-mail • Audio Formats • MP3 (Open Source) • AAC (Apple Proprietary) • iPod not necessary
Notable Feeds • Gizmodowww.gizmodo.com • Security Now!www.grc.com/securitynow.htm • Inside The Net &This Week in Tech (TWiT)thisweekintech.com • Boing Boingboingboing.net • Google News • isbn.nu • del.icio.us • flickr • Librarian.netwww.librarian.net • LISNewswww.lisnews.com • The Shifted Librariantheshiftedlibrarian.com • The Travelin’ Librariantravelinlibrarian.info • Tame the Webtametheweb.com/ttwblog • Unshelvedwww.overduemedia.com • PaperCutspapercuts.tscpl.org
Integrating RSS into Your Web sitePart 2:Reading Feeds Michael Sauers, BCRInternet Librarian 200622 October 2006
What is an Aggregator? • An aggregator is a type of software that retrieves syndicated Web content that is supplied in the form of a web feed (RSS, Atom and other XML formats), and that are published by weblogs, podcasts, vlogs, and mainstream mass media websites.-Wikipedia • It’s what you need to retrieve and read RSS feeds.
What are the differenttypes of aggregators? • Standalone Clients • FeedReader, Radio UserLand • PIM add-ins • Pluck, NewsGator, intraVnews • Browser add-ins • Firefox, Sage • Web-based • Bloglines, NewsIsFree • A list is available @http://www.lights.com/weblogs/rss.html
Why do I need an aggregator? • Most importantly it makes the content of the feed readable • Checks for updates automatically • Notifies you of new information • Displays only new items for you • May allow you to sort and save information
Types of Aggregators • Client • Add-on • Built-in • Server-based • Web-based service
Integrating RSS into Your Web sitePart 3:Creating Feeds Michael Sauers, BCRInternet Librarian 200622 October 2006
How do I create a feed? • Hand-rolledYou type the markup and the content • Semi-automatedYou type the content, software generates the markup. • Fully-automatedYou put the content in your blog and software generates a feed based on that content.
FeedSpring • Limitations • Local installation limits mobility and posters to a single computer. • No built-in FTP. Must transfer the .xml file to the server manually. • Still in beta (but what isn’t these days?)
