RSS
What it is and How to Use it
Beth Hoffman
University of Arizona
RSS - The Jargon
RSS Defined:
"RSS is a simple XML syntax for describing a channel or feed of recent additions to a website."
-- Judith Wustman, "RSS: The Latest Feed"
RSS Stands for:
- Really Simple Syndication
- Rich Site Summary
- RDF Site Summary
- Atom ???
Huh?
What RSS Really Means
Graphic created by Stephanie Quilao.
Feed the Need - RSS News Readers
- Web-Based RSS Readers (The Free and Easy Option)
- Desktop RSS News Readers (The More Flexible, Powerful, and Expensive Option)
- FeedDemon for the Windows Folks
- NetNewsWire for the Mac Folks
- Each will set you back $29.95
Reading Feeds: The Fastest Way to Keep Up
- Keep up with general news.
- Keep up with industry news.
- Keep up with professional news.
- Keep up with professional gossip.
- Listen to podcasts (they're based on RSS too).
Beyond Reading: Feed Integration
- Add a library news feed to your site.
- Add a feed listing all your new arrivals.
- Use RSS feeds to make your subject guides more dynamic.
- Check out "The RSS and Javascript Cookbook: Rip, Mix, Burn" for tips and tools for how to do this.
So What's the Catch?
- Technology is not perfect - sometimes feeds just die.
- Information overload happens.
- Hasn't reached the "real world" yet.
- Hasn't reached library technology vendors yet.
Questions???
References
Farkas, M., & Pival, P. R. (2006). The RSS and javascript cookbook: Rip, mix, burn. Conference presentation at Internet Librarian 2006, Retrieved November 15, 2006 from http://rssjscookbook.pbwiki.com/
Quilao, S. (2006). How to explain RSS the Oprah way. Retrieved November 15, 2006 from http://cravingideas.blogs.com/backinskinnyjeans/2006/09/how_to_explain_.html
Wusteman, J. (2004). RSS: The latest feed. Library Hi Tech, 22(4), 404-413.