Download Lesson 2.2 Syndication, feeds and subscriptions Objectives: By the

Lesson 2.2
Syndication, feeds and subscriptions
Objectives:
By the end of this lesson you will know how to identify an content feed and how to use subscriptions to
easily access web content. This knowledge will be also useful when learning about tools such as blogs
and podcasting.
Introduction
Most web 2.0 and social networking services give their users the ability to subscribe to their content by
RSS or XML feeds. Instead of users checking on the website for new content, the content reaches the
user by a feed reader.
Instead of constantly visiting a website to check for updates, users can subscribe to a content "feed"
and get the new content delivered at the time of publication.
Feeds can be useful both for people who follow topics and research issues on the web, as well as for
those who produce content and want to reach a wide, loyal and responsive audience.
Learning step 2.2.1 RRS
Copy Slide RSS from lesson 3.2 page 40
The RSS code
If you see an RSS file in your browser or a text file, you will see the content of the webpage contained
in code "tags" that look like this:
<rss version="0.91">
<channel>
<title>XML.com</title>
<link>http://www.xml.com/</link>
<description>XML.com features a rich mix of information and services for the XML
community.</description>
<language>en-us</language>
etc.
These code tags allow RSS reader programs to identify what type of content is available on the
webpage and how it should be displayed.
How is the code generated?
Most content management systems follow web standards for publishing content. Modern content
management systems can generate RSS code automatically, every time a new content is published.
RSS, XML and Atom are similar technologies. The process of generating these automated updates is
called Syndication.
Learning step 2.2.2 Feed readers
Feed readers are web or desktop applications that allow you to easily add, read and organize
subscriptions.
The latest versions of most web browsers allow you to subscribe to feeds directly on the browser, and
find the latest news or published items on a tab or bookmark on the same program
Example: Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer
Several email clients also offer a feed reader feature, so you can receive new items in a separate inbox,
in a similar way as you receive email.
Example: Microsoft Outlook and Mozilla Thunderbird
You can also install in your computer an application that specifically aggregates your subscriptions.
These applications often use more advanced features for reading, visualizing and bookmarking web
content.
Example: FeedBeast, NetNewsWire
There's also the option to open an account on an online feed aggregator. These services allow you to
keep your subscriptions online, read the content from your subscriptions and share your subscriptions
with others
Example: Bloglines, Netvibes
Learning step 2.2.3 Subscribing
Subscribing to an RSS feed is easy. First, find a web page with dynamic content such as a blog or a
new site. Find the RSS link on the page. It is usually a small icon with the letters "RSS", "Atom" or
"XML" or a link at the bottom of the page.
If you, for example, use your web browser as your feed reader, when you click on the RSS link you will
receive instructions to add this feed to your bookmarks. Once there, when you click on the new link,
you will see a summary of the latest headlines pulled out from the feed you subscribed.
If you use a feed reader client, your can add a New Subscription and write down the feed URL. Your
feed reader client will start pulling out the new content in the next "refresh".
Once you subscribe, you will notice that your feed reader shows you the post in different formats:
As Headlines only
As summary of the posts
As entire posts
As links to the original posts on the web
Other configurations
Learning step 2.2.4 Strategic use
Feed readers present users and content creators with many advantages:
As a reader:
- You get the latest information on your computer, as soon as it generates on the web.
- You have more control of what information you want to receive, since you manage specific feed
subscriptions.
- You can keep control of what you've already read, save copies of interesting content and clippings for
archive and research.
- You can keep a list of "regular" feeds you receive all the time, instead of visiting each individual
website.
- If you use a web based feed reader, you can share your intersting subscriptions with others.
For example:
Mark works in an organization that certifies organic products for local farmers. He is always interested
in learning about best practices and new developments in the area of organic production and
agriculture. He has installed a news feed client so when he finds a blog, a website or a news source
that seems important, he adds the address to the feed reader. Every morning, after checking email, he
reads a few of the news he's downloaded and marks some of them as clippings to be used later.
As a content producer:
- You can provide your users with up to date content the moment you post it on the web
- Via RSS or XML feeds you can exchange information and news with other websites and services, and
keep your site always up to date.
- You increase the number of channels for your content, that can be now seen not only on your website
but by email or in mobile devices.
For example:
As part of her work, Lisa publishes a weblog about the artisanal products that different artisans from
local communities are putting on the market. She visits their workshops, takes pictures of the new
products and posts them online with a description, sizing and shipping options. Her users can subscribe
to her RSS feed and get a notification as soon as a new product is posted. Her RSS feed is also
featured in the website of a national artisans association, bringing her more visits every month.
Summary Screen:
Most web 2.0 and social networking services give their users the ability to subscribe to their content by
RSS or XML feeds. Instead of users checking on the website for new content, the content reaches the
user by a feed reader.
Most content management systems follow web standards for publishing content. Modern content
management systems can generate RSS code automatically, every time a new content is published.
RSS, XML and Atom are similar technologies. The process of generating these automated updates is
called Syndication.
Feed readers are web or desktop applications that allow you to easily add, read and organize
subscriptions. You can choose between browser based readers, feed reader clients, email clients with
feed reading features or web based services to keep and organize your subscriptions.
Feed readers present users and content creators with many advantages in terms of information control,
format flexibility and reaching an audience.
Knowledge Assessment:
1. Multiple choice
Statement/Question: Syndication refers to:
Option
Option
Option
Option
Option
1
2
3
4
5
The code tags generated by a content management system
The process of generating automated content updates
The title of each content entry
A type of software application
A particular feed reader
Correct answer (check one box only) 2
Feedback answer 1 Incorrect. Syndication is a process that includes the use of code, not only a group
of code tags! Try again
Feedback answer 2 Correct. Syndication is the process of generating automated content updates,
using different technologies.
Feedback answer 3 Incorrect. The title of each entry will be one of the elements of the syndication
feed. Try again.
Feedback answer 4 Incorrect. The software application to read syndicated feeds is usually caled an
aggregator or feed reader. Try again.
Feedback answer 5 Incorrect. Syndication is a process, not a single application. Try again.
2. Multiple responses
Statement/Question: These are some of the advantages of using feed subscriptions
Item option 1 You have to visit each website individually every time you want to get updated content.
Item option 2 You have more control of what information you want to receive, since you manage
specific feed subscriptions.
Item option 3 You can keep a list of "regular" feeds you receive all the time, instead of visiting each
individual website.
Item option 4 You can save copies of interesting content and clippings for archive and research.
Item option 5 If you have a website you can exchange information and news with other websites and
services, and keep your site always up to date.
Correct answer: 2, 3 and 5
Feedback correct answer: Correct. Those are all good uses of feeds and subscriptions.
Feedback incorrect answer: Incorrect. Only one of those items is not a feature of feeds and
subscriptions. Try again!
Resources:
Video: RSS in Plain English
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0klgLsSxGsU
What is RSS? RSS explained
http://www.whatisrss.com/
Wikipedia: Aggregator
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aggregator
How to: Read RSS feeds
http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-10088_7-5143460-1.html
Choosing an RSS reader
http://searchenginewatch.com/showPage.html?page=3531486
RSS - Get the information and news you choose
http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,111699-page,1/article.html
Basic tutorial on RSS
http://rss.softwaregarden.com/aboutrss.html
About feeds: XML, Atom and RSS
http://www.sixapart.com/about/feeds
The advantages of RSS websites
http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Advantages-Of-RSS-Websites&id=110491