RSS (Really Simple Syndication) for beginners

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RSS (Really Simple Syndication) for beginners - By: Mathew Petrenko, Posted on: 2008-02-20

Introduction

RSS = Rich Site Summary. RSS is a format for delivering regularly changing web content. RSS makes it possible for people to keep up with their favorite web sites in an automated manner that's easier than checking them manually. Webmaster create an RSS feed file containing descriptions and headlines of specific information. RSS as introduced by Netscape Inc. In 1999 then later abandoned in 2002 stood for 'Rich Site Summary'. RSS formats are specified using Extensible Markup Language, a generic specification for the creation of data formats. Moreover, Really Simple Syndication is a free and easy way to promote website. RSS content can be read using software called an 'RSS reader'.

What do I need to do to read an RSS Feed?

RSS reader or Newsfeed aggregator software allow you to grab the RSS feeds from various sites and display them for you to read. Now, there are a lot of such programs, both commercial and free. For beginners, web-based readers are recommended since they are usually user-friendly. Newsfeed aggreagators are set up to periodically check for new episodes in the RSS feeds you are subscribed to, commonly once every minute. Many people read several thousand RSS files.

Free RSS readers:

FeedReader

FeedReader

NewsCrawler

FeedReader

How to create an RSS

If you want to create an RSS, you can use special online services (desktop applications). Since any RSS feed is a specially formatted XML file, it can be edited with any XML creator. Many tools can make RSS channels in the WYSIWYG mode. If you just wish to publish a single channel and do not need to update or edit the feed you can use an online RSS creation tool. There are several tools for making RSS widely available on the Internet.

List of RSS feed creation tools:

1. RSS feeds creator.

2. Webvigour RSS creator.

3. RSS builder (Free).

When your feed is created, the RSS feed has to be promoted. First step in promoting your newsfeed is submiting it to FeedDirectories. The next websites allowing you to submit RSS channels:

- BlogDex.

- FeedSter.

- Unclefeed.

- Daypop.

- Syndic8.

- Syndic8.

- RSS Network.

- YeahReader RSS directory.

As you know, submitting your RSS channels is very important for feed popularity and your website SEO.

Free RSS tips

1. After you create an RSS, do not forget to add a parser - it is a script that will convert RSS to HTML. You can try Feed2HTML.

2. Unique content increases the rating of your RSS in SE.

3. You should link to the RSS channel from the tag of the HTML page.

Article Source: http://www.girlarticles.com

Elena Dmitrieva - author of a series of reviews and articles related to podcasting, marketing, RSS and programming (see the creatersschannel tutorial and RSS feeds creator).