Popular Blog Software With RSS Functionality

Selecting a well-known publishing system is usually a fool-proof option for the novice blogger. This kind of software is great because it comes packed with core features to build up a professional-looking website in no time. Problem here, however, is that unless such blog has a unique design it might not catch the eye of the surfers at first glance.

Unique layouts combined with unique features make a blog one of a kind. While this goal can be achieved adding plug-ins and custom themes to scripts such as WordPress, B2evolution or Nucleus, there are countless blogging scripts that can substitute the above blogging solutions efficiently, but not all them have RSS functionality.

Really Simple Syndication (RSS) is an important feature that a good blogger should not miss out. Syndicating publishing news is the best way to drive traffic to any blog or website, since this service is helpful to get it listed on search engines in real time.

Serendipity, Open Blog, LifeType, Dotclear, Textpattern, eggBlog, Pixie and PivotX, are examples of blog software than substitutes WP and other publishing platforms without losing RSS functionality. Each and every of these solutions provide feeds every time a new content is added, but have different options to manage the blog and configure its look and feel. You would like to try these before going to find something else.

However, many open source publishing systems offer simplified functions that make blogging a breeze, but remove RSS from the core features. Some people believe this problem occurs when the chosen blog is powered by a database type other than MySQL, but is not that way.

There are good flat text database blogs that include RSS functionality, and there are complex blogs that rely on a MySQL database, which lack of RSS feeds. The adventurous blogger has to try all those scripts on a test server before actually decide what suite his or her needs best.

Finding blog software different to the popular publishing systems that all people use to blog is really easy, but testing these scripts is time consuming and may bring unexpected surprises, including the finding of the perfect blog system.

For the past few years blogs have been the most popular solution to build an online presence. Regardless the content or your specialty niche, set up a blog is worth, but remember to select a software solution capable to produce RSS feeds.

Making Your Own RSS Feeds   How to Get Updates Via RSS   Security and RSS   

How to Use RSS Feeds

The RSS is a technology that allows the subscriber to receive updates from their preferred sites. The news is collected at a central location which makes it easier for the end user who does not have to go through each website independently. For those interested in utilizing the RSS feeds, they would greatly benefit from the information provided below.

The requirements

The first step will involve selecting a suitable RSS program. The RSS aggregator is a vital tool that has to be acquired in order to use the RSS feeds. For those who make use of more than one computer, their web-based aggregator would be the perfect choice. The aggregator allows one to view the RSS feeds. Newsgator is a good example of an RSS site that positions the RSS feeds into independent web pages that can be accessed from virtually any computer that has internet connection. For people who use one computer all day through, they can take advantage of an RSS aggregator that is fitted within the web browser. Another option would be to have the RSS aggregator directly downloaded to the computer.

Locate an RSS feed

In order to identify if a site has RSS feeds, you can try and locate the RSS icon on top of the web page. In most cases, the icon is endowed with very bright colors and strong graphics with an aim of making it stand out. Some sites will further have the icon displayed on each and every page. If you have a web browser like Firefox or internet explorer 7, then you can benefit from automatic updates.

RSS Subscription

As you learn how to use RSS feeds, it is essential to make a subscription. This can be achieved with the aid of an RSS aggregator. The procedure would involve copying and pasting the web address directly to the aggregator. Notably, the aggregators will differ in their function ability and you will have those that allow automatic subscriptions. Simply click on the left of the orange colored RSS sign or the logo on the aggregator.

Another option would be to click on the right of the RSS logo and on the left of the copy shortcut. Go ahead and then copy and paste out the URL into the RSS aggregator.

As you continue to learn how to use RSS feeds, the next step would involve being able to view the feeds displayed. The role of the RSS aggregator is to provide the subscriber with automatic updates as soon as they come in. As a subscriber, you do not have to make any effort towards getting feeds. The RSS aggregator you use will either display the whole article or just a line or two.

It is therefore important for the subscriber to learn about the features of the different RSS aggregators before making the final choice. Most of the aggregators can be downloaded free of charge from the internet. If you have an intention of learning how to use RSS feeds, keeping the above points in mind is a definite plus.

Making Your Own RSS Feeds   How to Get Updates Via RSS   Security and RSS   

How to Display RSS Feeds on Your Website - Follow These Steps

RSS stands for "Really Simple Syndication". It's used to publish frequently updated content to a reader which can be web, desktop or even mobile-device based. It's a great way to add content to your site because it will update at intervals that you choose, keeping your sites content current and more relevant to your audience.

RSS feeds contain news stories, blogs, videos and even webpage's. More than likely you've seen these feeds while searching the web. Have you ever noticed the orange icons that appear in certain web pages, those indicate that the page or content on that page is an RSS feed.

It's easy to find feeds, simply type in the type of feed you are looking for into your favorite search engine and include "RSS" in your search. For example, say you are interested in cars; search for cars +RSS feed. Maybe you like gardening; try gardening +RSS feed. Most major news sites have feeds as do the major search engines.

When you find a site that has the RSS feed you want you'll need to copy the link. Look for the orange icon then right mouse click either the orange icon or the title next to it; from the pop-up menu choose "copy link location" and paste into a document for later. The link will usually include the words "RSS" or "feed" to identify it as a feed. Some times the link will contain extra code when coping the link in this method, simply remove everything after the rss/ or feed/.

Know that you have a feed that you are interested in it's time to get it on your web site. You could add a feed to your site by entering XML code but it's far easier and quicker to go to a website that does this for you. Remember the point of adding the RSS feed is to add current content to your site not to spend time learning XML code.

There are many sites that can add a feed to your site, simply search for "adding RSS feed to website" and you will get quite a large list.

When you decide on a site you will need to register with them; most sites are free or offer a certain amount of RSS feeds for free.

Some sites give you the option to choose the format of the feed such as HTML, Flash, and PDF.

You will have the option to filter the feeds, allowing you to receive the exact content that you are looking for.

Once you have completed your selections you will be given some code to paste into your site. The whole process should only take about 10-15 minutes. Your site will receive continuous and current information on a daily basis to engage your audience.

Making Your Own RSS Feeds   How to Get Updates Via RSS   Security and RSS   

The ABC of RSS

To understand what Really Simple Syndication means, let us start with the basics. Syndication is an activity consisting in re-publishing content that comes from a source other than the website, which is making available such content.

Syndication allows websites to publicize any content change that takes place, including the addition of new articles, and updates or removals of existing content. These changes are broadcast by means of RSS feeds. Content owners can set up the format of the feed and its content, which can be limited to provide only a summary report, or enhanced including photos, the full story or article, as well as other information.

Skimming through the information delivered by an RSS feed is advantageous for web surfers who receive a useful site overview that help them to decide if it is worth visiting the source, which is easily identifiable because feeds usually include a link to the source in the title of each update.

RSS benefits both web publishers and Internet surfers; the first can spread the word about site updates, while the second can easily stay informed without needing to visit the website at first. If you are a website owner that are not delivering RSS feeds yet, what are you waiting for.

RSS is for all and it does not really matter the niche your website belongs in or how often you update the content. Even sites that update rarely can benefit from Really Simple Syndication as soon as new content comes out; hence, there is not need to wait for the next search engine crawling.

As a reader, these feeds are a big saving on surfing time, because once subscribed to a feed service, the surfer receives the updates that he or she wants, updates that can be prioritized, categorized or filtered according each one needs, but an aggregator is required for this task. Aggregators are RSS readers that are available even for free download or used straight from almost any web browser.

On the other hand, with RSS feeds surfers take control of the information they want to receive. Overtime email has not been the effective updating tool that it was in the early days. Fearing a spam avalanche is the main concern preventing people to subscribe a newsletter regardless opt-in lists allow unsubscribing any time.

However, with RSS, the reader keep control all the time, to either subscribe, unsubscribe or make selective choices from the received content, stopping the inbox cluttering that regular email updates cause.

Making Your Own RSS Feeds   How to Get Updates Via RSS   Security and RSS   

History of RSS

Netscape was the inventor of RSS as they wanted to distribute news, information, and stories using an XML format. After refining the RSS version, they decided to drop the project. After this time, Userland Software gained control of the specifications and began working to develop a revolutionary version.

At the same time in which Userland Software gained control of the specifications so did a non-commercial group, which in turn released their version. This may sound a bit strange, but this is the way in which many software programs have developed over the years with one company creating their version and so on and so forth.

If you take a closer look at the history of RSS, you can look at the creation of RDF in 1997, which is very similar to RSS. Ramanathan V. Guha created RDF (Resource Description Framework).

The RDF was used initially to store what is known as metadata. This is nothing more than the news report with the metadata becoming the author as well as the language and copyright of all information regarding the news report.

In 1999, the RSS version 0.90 was created by Netscape. This was just the beginning. Netscape did create another version known as RSS version 0.91. Userland Software employee, Dave Winer came out with a new version and named it RSS version 0.91, which of course brought about much confusion even though there were differences.

Netscape dropped RSS, as it was a bit more complicated than what they were looking to use. At about the same time, O'Reilly released RSS version 1.0. This version was based on the RDF standard instead of other version of RSS. The problem was that RSS 1.0 was not compatible with other versions, once again bringing on more confusion as it did the same function but with different specifications.

The specifications of RSS needed to be endorsed so it would benefit all users. Due to this, it was donated to third party, which was Harvard Law School, which is now responsible for all revisions.

As you can see, RSS has been around quite awhile. The problem is that those creating new versions are so close to other versions that it can be very difficult to understand. The good news is that today, you can easily use RSS feeds to stay up to date on the latest news or to provide your subscribers with information immediately after your company releases the update.

Making Your Own RSS Feeds   How to Get Updates Via RSS   Security and RSS   

Promotion Guide for RSS Feeds

By using this guide, you will be able to promote your RSS feeds in the best way possible to bring more targeted traffic.

RSS Directories

Submitting your feeds to RSS directories will give you links to your website as well as allow internet users to find you under their favorite categories. The more links you have to your feed, the more popular search engines will think you are, which helps you rate higher. This means that for your keywords those looking for RSS feeds will be able to find you in search engines such as Google and Yahoo. You should only submit your feeds in the correct category and use the proper keywords to ensure your feed can be found by those that are interested in your subject matter.

RSS feed Buttons

Your RSS feed button should be bright and ensure that visitors will find the feed. If you only have a link, your visitors will search and not find the feed. This will allow your visitors to shop around to other websites that have graphics placed in plain sight for their feeds. The feed button should be placed in the upper one third of the page usually in the upper left or right hand side of the page.

The Media

You should submit a press release. You can write the press release and submit it yourself, or hire a press release writer to do the work. Press releases are not written like other articles or posts on your website. In order for the release to be sent out, it must be written in a certain manner. If you do not know how to write a press release, you should hire a writer to ensure your release is accepted by the media.

Newsletter

If you have subscribers to your newsletter, then you have a great promotion tool. You can easily embed a link to your RSS feed in your newsletter. This way those that are subscribed to your newsletter can easily subscribe to your RSS feed and receive real time news as soon as your publish the content.

If you frequent blogs, you have another great resource for getting the word out about your new RSS feed. You can send out emails to the blogs you read and ask them to add a link on their blog. Some blogs will add a link for a small fee while others may only want a reciprocate link on your website or blog to theirs.

Making Your Own RSS Feeds   How to Get Updates Via RSS   Security and RSS