Before launching into this explanation of RSS, let me state categorically that I am not a geek! However, I do have geekish tendencies. Often, that leads to me getting myself into trouble, which then requires the expertise of a true geek to get me out of! Let's hope that's not the case with this explanation.
With that disclaimer made, let me launch into a brief discussion of RSS, which was the last topic Ines and I covered in our Project Blogger coaching session.
Definition of RSS
RSS stands for, among other things, Really Simple Syndication. (There, doesn't that clear it up for everyone? *wink* Didn't think so.)
RSS is a content distribution system. It's a mechanism by which content published on one site can get to another site. For example, some blogs pull RSS "feeds" from other blogs and republish them. It results in content which originated in one place being published in another. Spam blogs often use this tactic.
Components Needed to Make RSS Work
In order to use RSS, two components are needed, an RSS reader and an RSS feed.
RSS Readers
The way most people use RSS, however, is via an RSS reader (also known as "aggregator," but forget I said that; just think "reader"). There are any number of such readers available, but one of my favorite is Bloglines. That's the one I encouraged Ines to use.
For example, using your email address let's say you subscribe to an email newsletter. Whenever the publisher of that newsletter sends out a new edition, it is "fed" to your email client. In similar fashion, using an RSS reader, you subscribe to an RSS feed on a website. It might be another blog you value and refer to often, or it could be a news website like CNN.com.
RSS Feed
It doesn't really matter what the content is. Any website can by RSSified. In fact, I strongly suggest that, if you have a website with frequently updated content, you tie an RSS feed to it. IN FACT, if you offer an email newsletter or email notification option on your website and don't also offer an RSS feed, you're doing a disservice to your readers!
How do you know if a site has an RSS tied to it? Almost all blogs do. RSS feeds are built into the template of virtually every blog platform I know. Often, you'll see the orange icon pictured here. However, there is no standard way of presenting the feed...not yet anyway. If you reference Ines' post, you'll see gives examples of several options, including the way AR presents it.
Some blogs also provide several options for RSS subscription, often based on the RSS reader someone happen to be using. (Our company blog does just that, including one for Bloglines.)
Staying with the Bloglines example. Here is a "sticker" similar to ones you'll find on many blogs. 
Again, even in this instance there is no standardization.
The point is, if you use Bloglines, just by clicking on the "sticker" you'll be able to quickly and easily (relative terms) subscribe to that blog's RSS feed.
Benefits to Using RSS
There are a number of benefits to using RSS. Here are two of the main ones, the first from the standpoint of a subscriber and the second from the standpoint of a publisher.
- As a reader you no longer have to visit blogs and other websites, their content now comes to you. Once you've subscribed to a feed, each time new content is added, your RSS reader will "pull" that in, then notify you. Your RSS reader is constantly looking for new content on sites to which you've subscribed. Once it finds it, that content is pulled into the reader. (I'm being redundant.)
The beauty of that is, instead of me now having to go to all those sites I've bookmarked or listed on my blogroll, the content from each is delivered to my doorstep. Think of the time-savings! - RSS gives you the ability to monitor what's being said about you. Many sites (Google news, Yahoo news, Technorati, etc.) allow you to do keyword-based searches, then subscribe to those searches via RSS. Each time something is published that contains those keywords, you are notified. It's a way for you to survey the web in real-time in reference to what's being said about you, your company, your competitors, and your industry. Again, all of that content is pulled down into your RSS reader for you to peruse at your leisure.
- As a publisher of content, whether that be a blog you're writing or a property listings page on your business website, by tying in an RSS feed, readers can subscribe to you.
One objection I often hear is, "Doesn't that mean reader won't visit my site as often?" The truth is, by offering an RSS feed, readers will visit more often. And, because they are immediately updated each time you produce new content, you will remain top-of-mind with them.
In the case of a blog, you can further insure that takes place by offering only an "excerpt" of your content, rather than the full post. Many blog platforms offer this as an option.
So, let's review. To make this work you have to have what? An RSS reader such as Bloglines and an RSS feed found on blogs and other sites. Simply put, RSS is the plumbing system of the next generation Internet.
So, how did I do? Clear as mud? Any geeks reading this who can clarify? Feel free to add your two-cents!
Comments(7)