RSS is extendable, which allows users to extend the functionality of the basic specification, essentially allowing users to increase the kinds of information contained in the feed. Many users do not really understand how RSS can be extended, this RSS Namespace Primer goes a long way in explaining the basics of RSS extensions.
RSS Does Not Equal Blogs
Many assume that RSS is only for syndicating the contents of blogs, nothing could be further from the truth. Blogs and online journals have rocketed to popularity in the last few years, and many bloggers use RSS as a means to distribute and syndicate their blog posts. Subscribers receive information each time the blog is updated. However this is NOT the only use for RSS. RSS can deliver any kind of content, including forum posts, discount coupons, newsletters or press releases. Blogs are just one type of information syndicated by RSS feeds.
Blogs may be syndicated using RSS, but do not assume that content found in an RSS feed is from a blog.
My name is Kirk Biglione and I have a problem. I’m addicted to RSS.
Like most addictions my problem started as innocent experimentation. I began dabbling in RSS years ago when it was still a relatively new technology. I told myself that it was a better way to keep up with the news. I rationalized that I’d save hours every day by using RSS to take a more focused approach to online reading and research. A few minutes with my feed reader was supposed to be like an hour or more of surfing the hundreds of the websites that I try to keep up with on a regular basis.
General Motors’ auto business hasn’t been great of late, but its blogging strategy is paying off handsomely.
In 2006, the company’s FastLane blog delivered an estimated $410,470 worth of customer insight and marketing at an approximate cost of $255,675 — a return on investment of 67% — according to a newly released report from Forrester Research.
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This is a new educational feeds directory. Publishers with educational feeds or instructional podcasts can submit their feeds to be included. Simply enter the URL of the RSS feed and select the most appropriate category for the feed or podcast.
Syndicate IQ has ceased operations according to a notice on its homepage.Syndicate IQ was a company that provided feed management, statistics and advertisements. Syndicate IQ competed with Pheedo and to some extent FeedBurner.
Not surprisingly, ideas for blog posts or RSS feed items originate or are influenced by other web content. The following are venues for finding your online muse:
FeedForAll has released a new version of their RSS feed creation, editing and publishing software. The new version includes the following features:
What is New:
iTunes Support - Integrated support for the latest iTunes specification.
Namespace Support - Full namespace support for iTunes, content, dublin core and syndication extensions. Generic support for all additional extensions Support for custom user defined extensions (namespaces).
Language Support - Full unicode support, allows any languages character set to be used in the RSS feeds. Also UTF-8 support in feeds for all character sets. In program settable font support.
Validation - Automatically validates feeds on open, download, save, and upload. Validation logs show errors, warnings and automatic repairs. Option to run validation check manually.
Improved WYSWIG Editor - All fields that allow HTML code can now be used with the WYSWIG HTML editor. Built in live spell checking. Full support for HTML links. Full support for HTML images, including image links.
Publishing - Support for multiple destination FTP servers. Automatic image upload option. Automatic enclosure upload option. Option to limit the number of items uploaded. Option to upload only current items (no future pubdates).
Feed Creation Wizard - Walks users through the creation of a standard RSS feed, podcast or iTunes podcast. Easiest way to start a new RSS feed. Automatically leads into feed creation wizard.
Item Creation Wizard - Walks users through the creation of new feed items. Automatically prompts users with fields for the type of feed being added (i.e. podcast). Can create multiple new items in a single session.
Preview - Allows feed to be viewed in a format typical for subscribers. Multiple template support for different viewing formats. Preview now includes printer support.
Stylesheets - Supports both XSL and CSS stylesheet definitions.
An evaluation download is available: FeedForAll
While I disagree that any of these are new RSS uses it really does provide a good summary of what can be done with RSS.
The following list is a collection of 25 alternative uses for RSS. We hope you’ll find some of them useful.
Track Specific News Headlines.
Find Shopping Deals.
Track Packages.
Create a Calendar Feed.
TV Listings Via RSS.
Keep Up With Specific Emails
Get Some General Knowledge On A Regular Basis.
Follow Your Favorite Comics.
Sports Team RSS Feeds. (note: use sports feeds to find your team feeds)
Deliver Your Contacts Via RSS.
Get Notified On Travel Deals.
Track Job Openings.
Log Referring Links To Your Site.
Be A Knowledgable Citizen.
Get Your City’s Latest Traffic.
Track Movie Openings & Reviews.
Keep Tabs On Medical Information. (note: use medical feeds to find medical feeds)
Stay On Top Of Virus & Security Threats. (note: use security protection to find security feeds)
Download TV Shows.
Bring Humor Into Your Life.
Pull In Those Video Snippets.
Sticky Notes + RSS.
Track Ebay.
Summary of RSS Uses
Motorola has signed an agreement with NewsGator Technologies to mobilize RSS content for enterprises.
According to the agreement, Motorola will extend NewsGator-aggregated RSS content from behind the firewall to mobile users on a broad range of devices, including the Motorola Q, Samsung BlackJack, the Palm Treo family and many other standards-based smartphones.
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