RSS: Feed MeMichael Sauers
Technology Innovation LibrarianNebraska Library Commission
http://www.flickr.com/photos/65768710@N00/2276988258/
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 items on the Internet.
ScriptingNews
ScriptingNews2.0b1
RSS 0.9
RSS 0.91
RSS 1.0
1997
1999
2000
RSSHISTORY
RSS 0.92
RSS 0.93(not implemented)
RSS 2.0
RSS 1.0 Cont’d
Atom 0.3
Atom 1.02000
2001
2003
2004
How does RSS work?
Upload to Web server
Create Content
Add RSS code
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Check for updates
Download new content
Subscribe
Information Provider
Information Receiver
Read
Implications of RSS
• Information is received in a single location• Information is received quickly• The need to visit the originating Web site is
reduced• and…
The possible end of this:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/17642817@N00/2660204217/
The possible end of this!
E-mail model
9http://www.flickr.com/photos/54806507@N00/143725085/
RSS model
10http://www.flickr.com/photos/19967853@N00/12496426/
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?><rss version="2.0“> <channel> <title>Nebraska Library Commission Blog</title> <link>http://www.nlc.state.ne.us/blogs/NLC/</link> <description>Bringing together people and information</description> <language>en</language> <copyright>Copyright 2007</copyright> <lastBuildDate>Thu, 10 May 2007 07:34:17 -0600</lastBuildDate> <generator>http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/</generator> <docs>http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss</docs> <item> <title>New depository directories</title> <description>
<![CDATA[<p>The directories of Nebraska's federal and state depository libraries got a new look recently. Contact names and emails of library staff will be updated automatically when our comprehensive library directory is updated. The depository directories are located at <a href="http://http://www.nlc.state.ne.us/ docs/nefed.asp">http://http://www.nlc.state.ne.us/docs/nefed.asp</a></p>]]> </description> <link>http://www.nlc.state.ne.us/blogs/NLC/2007/05/new_depository_directories.html</link> <guid>http://www.nlc.state.ne.us/blogs/NLC/2007/05/new_depository_directories.html</guid> <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category">Information Resources</category> <pubDate>Wed, 09 May 2007 07:28:43 -0600</pubDate> </item> </channel></rss>
What does RSS look like?
12
How can I find feeds?
feedmil
13
Blogrolls
• A list ofblogs/feedsread by ablogger
The RSS icon
• 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”.
• Luckily, a standard icon has emerged. http://www.feedicons.com/
Podcasts• Using 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
Podcasts in iTunes
Notable Feeds• Librarian.net
www.librarian.net• LISNews
www.lisnews.com• The Shifted Librarian
theshiftedlibrarian.com• The Travelin’ Librarian
travelinlibrarian.info• Tame the Web
tametheweb.com/ttwblog• Unshelved
www.overduemedia.com• PaperCuts
papercuts.tscpl.org
• 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
What is an Aggregator?
• An aggregator (or news 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.
Why do I need an aggregator?
• Well, if you don’t use an aggregator RSS files will look like this…
RSS file in IE8
Atom file in IE8
RSS file in Firefox 3
RSS file in Chrome
Why do I need an aggregator?
• Most importantly it makes the content of the feed readable
• Gathers the content of multiple feeds in a single location
• 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• Built-in• Server-based• Web-based service
FeedReader (client)
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Firefox 3
InternetExplorer 8
Google Reader (Web-based service)
Go Live
32
Integrating feed content into your Web site
• Grab content from multiple RSS feeds• Reduce and/or mash it• Republish it on your site
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Feed2JS
34
Feed2JS
35
Feed2JS
36
Feed2JS
37
Feed2JS
Nebraska Libraries on the Web
• Based on WordPress• WordPress includes an RSS embedding widget
WordPress RSS Widget
WordPress RSS Widget
WordPress RSS Widget
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