Tivo has changed the way I watch TV. Rather than looking up when the shows I want to watch are on, with a few clicks of a button I can set up a recurring recording that will record the shows whenever they're on, for future viewing at my leisure. RSS provides a similar similar concept for online content, by automatically retrieving and storing news and information from my favorite sites.
What is RSS?
RSS, which stands for Really Simple Syndication, is a method for publishing and distributing online content. At it's most basic, it is a list of items, each consisting of a title, some content, and a link. There are a few ways subscribers can subscribe to a feed:
- Online, through a site such as Google Reader, My Yahoo, or Bloglines
- With web browser plugins, such as Sage or Wizz
- With stand-alone software, such as FeedDemon
These readers will store a list of subscribed feeds, and periodically check to see if any of them have been updated. When a new item is published, it is added to the list of unread messages. Subscribers can then review the items, and read the ones that interest them.
What are the benefits of RSS?
As spam continues to clog email inboxes at incredible rates, it can be increasingly difficult to get email newsletters opened and read. It is unfortunately all too easy for legitimate emails to get lost in the clutter, or at worst, never even make it to the subscriber's inbox at all.
Because subscribers only receive the feeds they subscribe to, spam problems are removed from the equation.
What are the uses of RSS?
Here are some common examples of RSS uses:
- Blog entries
- News Articles
- Forum posts
How can I publish an RSS feed?
Many blog and content management systems include built-in RSS feed capability. Another option are hosted services that will allow you to publish one quickly and easily, and can include a variety of tracking and monitoring tools.
There are numerous directories you can then advertise your feed on, expanding the reach of your internet presence.
Contact us at the Helix Group for assistance setting up your RSS feed.
No comments:
Post a Comment