RSS 101 – An introduction to RSS feeds
What is an RSS feed?
RSS is more commonly known as “Really Simple Syndication” or “Rich Site Summary” and is used to organize and summarize Internet content to make it easy for readers to access the information they want. The code used to write an RSS feed is called XML, and the tool used to read RSS feeds is called feed readers (also known as news aggregators).
What’s so useful about RSS feeds?
Take the hassle out of searching the web! Once you’ve subscribed to a website’s RSS feed, automatic updates deliver the latest content. You don’t even have to wait for site updates to be indexed by search engine crawlers for them to appear in web search results. RSS feeds also let you aggregate content from all your favorite blogs and news sites in one place, so you don’t have to visit multiple sites to get your daily dose of news.
What are the disadvantages of RSS feeds?
RSS feeds do not guarantee good content. Finding good blogs requires trial and error. Often, you will come across a site that looks like a feed subscription-worthy, when in fact it only offers a few quality posts. This can get frustrating when your subscription list gets a mile high. Just like email, RSS feeds can clutter up your feed aggregator, making it hard to keep them organized and clean.
What RSS feed readers should I use?
Depending on the type of food eater you are, you may want to try a few different ones before making up your mind. The two main categories of feed readers are web-based and desktop-based, also known as standalone feed readers. These require a download.
Those who are interested in independent feed readers typically make checking blogs and news updates as routine as checking email. If this is the case for you, you may want to opt for a reader that allows integration with your preferred email client. NewsGater or IntraVnews provide Outlook plugins, while Mozilla Thunderbird includes a feed reader as an option. Additional benefits of standalone feed readers like FeedDemon are easy-to-use interfaces and the ability to organize and save posts.
Still, others of you may prefer a web-based feed reader, which allows feed searches and access to your reader from any computer with an Internet connection. In addition, it offers “the ability to integrate feeds with other sources of information as a portal”(1), such as the use of toolbars, bookmarks, etc. The most popular web-based clients are Google Reader and Pluck.
The future of RSS feeds
RSS feeds are the ultimate tool that can be used to maximize the unique aspects of the Internet: speed, networking, and real-time information. Because the concept behind RSS is powerful and the level of knowledge required to use it is next to zero, it will revolutionize the way we consume information.
Even now, it is being adopted for many different uses, such as weather forecasts, package tracking, and is widespread on podcasts, (NPR), photoblogs (flickr), and videoblogs (YouTube). It’s only a matter of time before RSS feeds take over the search for information as we know it (Google). So sit back and familiarize yourself, because RSS doesn’t look like it’s going anywhere anytime soon.
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Final notes:
1) Sherman, Chris. Search Engine Clock. “Choosing an RSS Reader”, September 1, 2005. http://searchenginewatch.com/showPage.html?page=3531486
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