2. History of RSS
• Well, it’s kind of a mess
• Quick version: Previous syndication specifications existed, but
“RSS” first introduced by Netscape in 1999
• Two competing but similar RSS formats emerged
• Main standards today: RSS 1.0 and RSS 2.0
• None of this really affects you (unless you code your own RSS).
3. How does it work?
• RSS file is hosted on a Website
RSS file
website
• File is updated when new
content posts (can be entire
site, or specific section)
• RSS reader checks the file
on a schedule Your RSS
• The reader is looking for reader
one thing: Are there new
items?
4. What does it look like?
<rss xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
An RSS file is an version="2.0">
<channel>
XML document with <title>USA.gov Updates: News and Features</title>
<link>http://www.usa.gov/rss/updates.xml</link>
a specific language. <description>
Government news and featured content from the U.S. government's official web portal, USA.gov.
</description>
<channel> <lastBuildDate>Fri, 26 Oct 2012 11:49:08 -0700</lastBuildDate>
<generator>Percussion Rhythmyx</generator>
Information on the feed <image>
<url>
itself (the site or section http://statse.webtrendslive.com/dcs78isnu10000wsnuwvbqciu_5x6h/dcs.gif?
it belongs to). dcssip=www.usa.gov&dcsuri=/rss&WT.rss_ev=f&WT.rss_f=USA.gov+Updates+News+and+Featu
res&WT.ti=USA.gov+Updates+News+and+Features
</url>
<link>http://www.usa.gov/rss/updates.xml</link>
<item> <title>USA.gov Updates: News and Features</title>
</image>
Individual articles or <item>
updates. <title>Prepare for Hurricane Sandy</title>
<link>http://www.ready.gov/</link>
<description>
Hurricane Sandy is moving up the eastern coast of the United States. Learn how to prepare your
family, your business, and your pets by visiting Ready.gov.
</description>
<pubDate>Fri, 26 Oct 2012 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<guid isPermaLink="false">73570</guid>
</item>
5. How do I use it?
• Publish:
• Wordpress.org has built-in RSS
• Usually http://your.url/feed
• Customize the link appearance with plugins
• Read:
• Web-based (i.e.Google Reader) or application readers available
• Many browsers will also show basic information
6. RSS isn’t just for text
• RSS powers podcasts
• Directories (iTunes) deliver
episode lists via RSS
