What is RSS?
RSS means Really
Simple Syndication. RSS is a special format based on XML, which was first used
to unite headers with web content. In fact, RSS feeds are XML files containing
data according to the RSS specification, and usually located on a website.
As soon as an RSS
feed appears in the Internet, any connected computer can access it. In order
for the user to be able to use the RSS feed, he needs special software or
services called readers or aggregators.
RSS allows users to
save their time, however it is rather difficult to create an RSS feed manually.
That is why currently there are a lot of programs that do not require XML or
RSS knowledge to use them. These programs allow you to create RSS feeds in
WYSIWYG mode, as well as maintain and update it. One of such programs is Feed
Editor that has some additional functionality besides editing RSS feeds.
The RSS technology
is being actively developed and used in various fields. It is likely that in
the future it will not be possible to make a successful website without an RSS
feed.
Why Use RSS?
If you are a user,
RSS will help you save time - you will be able to receive latest information
using just one special program or web service. RSS will bring you information
from websites, boards, blogs – from everywhere in the Net. Besides, RSS files
are quite small, so it will also save your traffic.
If you are a site
owner, RSS will help you increase the popularity of your website as well as its
quality. Sometimes website becomes popular only because providing an
interesting RSS feed. Using RSS today is considered a good form especially that
it is very easy to add an RSS feed to your website. Do not forget to update
your feed often and it will fructify.
How to Read RSS?
To take advantage
of RSS, you need a special program (or service) for reading feeds. Now, there
are a lot of such programs, both free and commercial. If you use Opera (or IE
7.0, Maxthon), you don’t need any special software, because Opera can download
and read RSS feeds. Of course, Opera is a browser first of all, so it doesn’t
have all features of an advanced RSS reader.
How to Create RSS?
To create RSS, you
can use special online services or desktop applications. Moreover, if you are
not afraid of difficulties, you can write the code of your feed manually, since
RSS is based on XML.
How to Promote RSS Feed?
Various methods are
used to promote RSS feeds. The most widely used one is submitting of the feed
file into specialized search engines and directories.
Besides submitting,
any other methods usually used to promote the website can also be used to
promote the feed.
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