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Emerging TechnologyUsing RSS

Emerging TechnologyUsing RSS

RSS and syndicationRSS and syndication

By Steve SloanBy Steve Sloan

RSS and syndicationRSS and syndication

By Steve SloanBy Steve Sloan

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Understanding RSSUnderstanding RSS

All you need to know:All you need to know: Keeping it simple!Keeping it simple! Good functional definitionsGood functional definitions

RSS (pronounced "arr-ess-ess") is a web RSS (pronounced "arr-ess-ess") is a web syndication protocol primarily used by news syndication protocol primarily used by news websites and weblogswebsites and weblogs

Format for delivering summaries of regularly Format for delivering summaries of regularly changing web contentchanging web content

All you need to know:All you need to know: Keeping it simple!Keeping it simple! Good functional definitionsGood functional definitions

RSS (pronounced "arr-ess-ess") is a web RSS (pronounced "arr-ess-ess") is a web syndication protocol primarily used by news syndication protocol primarily used by news websites and weblogswebsites and weblogs

Format for delivering summaries of regularly Format for delivering summaries of regularly changing web contentchanging web content

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GoalsGoals

Define key terms associated with RSSDefine key terms associated with RSSProvide an overview of the technologies Provide an overview of the technologies

associated with RSSassociated with RSSDiscuss how RSS, and related Discuss how RSS, and related

technologies, can be a way to manage technologies, can be a way to manage informationinformation

Discuss possible ways that RSS and Discuss possible ways that RSS and related technologies may evolverelated technologies may evolve

Use RSS to read a feed!Use RSS to read a feed!

Define key terms associated with RSSDefine key terms associated with RSSProvide an overview of the technologies Provide an overview of the technologies

associated with RSSassociated with RSSDiscuss how RSS, and related Discuss how RSS, and related

technologies, can be a way to manage technologies, can be a way to manage informationinformation

Discuss possible ways that RSS and Discuss possible ways that RSS and related technologies may evolverelated technologies may evolve

Use RSS to read a feed!Use RSS to read a feed!

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Terms: RSSTerms: RSS

Really Simple SyndicationReally Simple Syndication A family of XML based web-content A family of XML based web-content

distribution and republication (Web distribution and republication (Web syndication) protocols primarily used by syndication) protocols primarily used by news sites and weblogs.news sites and weblogs.

Other definitionsOther definitionsRich Site SummaryRich Site SummaryRDF Site SummaryRDF Site Summary

Really Simple SyndicationReally Simple Syndication A family of XML based web-content A family of XML based web-content

distribution and republication (Web distribution and republication (Web syndication) protocols primarily used by syndication) protocols primarily used by news sites and weblogs.news sites and weblogs.

Other definitionsOther definitionsRich Site SummaryRich Site SummaryRDF Site SummaryRDF Site Summary

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RSS - technical definitionRSS - technical definition

More than you need to know:More than you need to know: RSS is a file format that allows anyone with a RSS is a file format that allows anyone with a

website — from large media companies to website — from large media companies to individual commentators — to easily "syndicate" individual commentators — to easily "syndicate" their content, similar to how comic strips and their content, similar to how comic strips and popular columns are syndicated by their owners to popular columns are syndicated by their owners to hundreds of newspapers. Except that on the Web, hundreds of newspapers. Except that on the Web, the RSS syndication is usually free, and the the RSS syndication is usually free, and the content that is syndicated is often not the full entry, content that is syndicated is often not the full entry, but excerpts and links back to the originating but excerpts and links back to the originating website.website.

More than you need to know:More than you need to know: RSS is a file format that allows anyone with a RSS is a file format that allows anyone with a

website — from large media companies to website — from large media companies to individual commentators — to easily "syndicate" individual commentators — to easily "syndicate" their content, similar to how comic strips and their content, similar to how comic strips and popular columns are syndicated by their owners to popular columns are syndicated by their owners to hundreds of newspapers. Except that on the Web, hundreds of newspapers. Except that on the Web, the RSS syndication is usually free, and the the RSS syndication is usually free, and the content that is syndicated is often not the full entry, content that is syndicated is often not the full entry, but excerpts and links back to the originating but excerpts and links back to the originating website.website.

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Terms: WeblogsTerms: Weblogs

A weblog, Web log or simply a blog, is a A weblog, Web log or simply a blog, is a web application which contains periodic, web application which contains periodic, reverse chronologically ordered posts reverse chronologically ordered posts on a common webpage. on a common webpage. Such a Web site would typically be Such a Web site would typically be

accessible to any Internet useaccessible to any Internet use The changing nature of weblogs, and their The changing nature of weblogs, and their

reverse chronological ordering, makes reverse chronological ordering, makes them especially suited to RSS feedingthem especially suited to RSS feeding

A weblog, Web log or simply a blog, is a A weblog, Web log or simply a blog, is a web application which contains periodic, web application which contains periodic, reverse chronologically ordered posts reverse chronologically ordered posts on a common webpage. on a common webpage. Such a Web site would typically be Such a Web site would typically be

accessible to any Internet useaccessible to any Internet use The changing nature of weblogs, and their The changing nature of weblogs, and their

reverse chronological ordering, makes reverse chronological ordering, makes them especially suited to RSS feedingthem especially suited to RSS feeding

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Terms: FeedTerms: Feed

A file document, usually in XML format, A file document, usually in XML format, associated with a changing website, associated with a changing website, typically a weblogtypically a weblog

As with all XML documents, RSS As with all XML documents, RSS documents employ a set of tags that documents employ a set of tags that describe elements of the textdescribe elements of the text

Typically these files are updated Typically these files are updated dynamically as the site changesdynamically as the site changes

A file document, usually in XML format, A file document, usually in XML format, associated with a changing website, associated with a changing website, typically a weblogtypically a weblog

As with all XML documents, RSS As with all XML documents, RSS documents employ a set of tags that documents employ a set of tags that describe elements of the textdescribe elements of the text

Typically these files are updated Typically these files are updated dynamically as the site changesdynamically as the site changes

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Terms: AggregationTerms: Aggregation

A program that reads an RSS or an Atom A program that reads an RSS or an Atom feed is called an aggregatorfeed is called an aggregator

Aggregator programs collect data from Aggregator programs collect data from multiple feeds and consolidate them into a multiple feeds and consolidate them into a simple to navigate viewsimple to navigate view

Aggregators are typically constructed as Aggregators are typically constructed as extensions to a Web browser, as extensions extensions to a Web browser, as extensions to an email program, or as standalone to an email program, or as standalone programsprograms

An aggregator program is also called a An aggregator program is also called a readerreader

A program that reads an RSS or an Atom A program that reads an RSS or an Atom feed is called an aggregatorfeed is called an aggregator

Aggregator programs collect data from Aggregator programs collect data from multiple feeds and consolidate them into a multiple feeds and consolidate them into a simple to navigate viewsimple to navigate view

Aggregators are typically constructed as Aggregators are typically constructed as extensions to a Web browser, as extensions extensions to a Web browser, as extensions to an email program, or as standalone to an email program, or as standalone programsprograms

An aggregator program is also called a An aggregator program is also called a readerreader

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Terms: SyndicationTerms: Syndication

Making Web feeds available from a site Making Web feeds available from a site so other people can display an updating so other people can display an updating list of content from itlist of content from it Focuses on changing contentFocuses on changing content For example: one's latest forum or weblog For example: one's latest forum or weblog

postings, etc.postings, etc. This originated with news and blog sites This originated with news and blog sites

but is increasingly used to syndicate any but is increasingly used to syndicate any informationinformation

Making Web feeds available from a site Making Web feeds available from a site so other people can display an updating so other people can display an updating list of content from itlist of content from it Focuses on changing contentFocuses on changing content For example: one's latest forum or weblog For example: one's latest forum or weblog

postings, etc.postings, etc. This originated with news and blog sites This originated with news and blog sites

but is increasingly used to syndicate any but is increasingly used to syndicate any informationinformation

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So, how does RSS work?So, how does RSS work?

FeederFeeder This typically XML format file is updated This typically XML format file is updated

dynamically by a web application that lists dynamically by a web application that lists and links changes to a web site and links changes to a web site

ReaderReader A program known as an RSS aggregator, A program known as an RSS aggregator,

or feed reader, checks RSS-enabled feeds or feed reader, checks RSS-enabled feeds on behalf of a user and displays any on behalf of a user and displays any updated information that it findsupdated information that it finds

FeederFeeder This typically XML format file is updated This typically XML format file is updated

dynamically by a web application that lists dynamically by a web application that lists and links changes to a web site and links changes to a web site

ReaderReader A program known as an RSS aggregator, A program known as an RSS aggregator,

or feed reader, checks RSS-enabled feeds or feed reader, checks RSS-enabled feeds on behalf of a user and displays any on behalf of a user and displays any updated information that it findsupdated information that it finds

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Standards (RSS and Atom)Standards (RSS and Atom)

Many flavors of RSSMany flavors of RSS .9x, 1.x, 2.x.9x, 1.x, 2.x Atom (a fork in the road!)Atom (a fork in the road!)

rooted in RSSrooted in RSSnot backwardly compatible with any of the not backwardly compatible with any of the

previous RSS versionsprevious RSS versionsFeedburnerFeedburner™™ converts Atom to RSS converts Atom to RSS

Many flavors of RSSMany flavors of RSS .9x, 1.x, 2.x.9x, 1.x, 2.x Atom (a fork in the road!)Atom (a fork in the road!)

rooted in RSSrooted in RSSnot backwardly compatible with any of the not backwardly compatible with any of the

previous RSS versionsprevious RSS versionsFeedburnerFeedburner™™ converts Atom to RSS converts Atom to RSS

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RSS 2.0 & Enclosures RSS 2.0 & Enclosures

Allows for attachments called Allows for attachments called “enclosures”“enclosures”

PodcastingPodcasting Download basedDownload based

VideocastingVideocasting MediabloggingMediablogging Mobile blogging (moblogging)Mobile blogging (moblogging) Download, not streamingDownload, not streaming

Allows for attachments called Allows for attachments called “enclosures”“enclosures”

PodcastingPodcasting Download basedDownload based

VideocastingVideocasting MediabloggingMediablogging Mobile blogging (moblogging)Mobile blogging (moblogging) Download, not streamingDownload, not streaming

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Consuming RSS FeedsConsuming RSS Feeds

Each feed is like a foodEach feed is like a food Each feed is uniqueEach feed is unique

The reader is like a The reader is like a mealmeal A well rounded meal is A well rounded meal is

an aggregation of foodsan aggregation of foods An RSS reader is the An RSS reader is the

program that presents program that presents the information feedsthe information feeds

The reader provides the The reader provides the user interfaceuser interface

Each feed is like a foodEach feed is like a food Each feed is uniqueEach feed is unique

The reader is like a The reader is like a mealmeal A well rounded meal is A well rounded meal is

an aggregation of foodsan aggregation of foods An RSS reader is the An RSS reader is the

program that presents program that presents the information feedsthe information feeds

The reader provides the The reader provides the user interfaceuser interface

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A typical RSS reader viewA typical RSS reader view

Feeds HeadlinesContent

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RSS has many facesRSS has many faces

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How do RSS readers differ? How do RSS readers differ?

Can be constructed as extensions to a Can be constructed as extensions to a Web browser, as extensions to an email Web browser, as extensions to an email program, or as standalone programsprogram, or as standalone programs

Can be Web applicationsCan be Web applicationsCan have widely different user Can have widely different user

interfacesinterfaces

Can be constructed as extensions to a Can be constructed as extensions to a Web browser, as extensions to an email Web browser, as extensions to an email program, or as standalone programsprogram, or as standalone programs

Can be Web applicationsCan be Web applicationsCan have widely different user Can have widely different user

interfacesinterfaces

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Web-basedWeb-based

BloglinesBloglines Your RSS feeds can be sharedYour RSS feeds can be shared You see what the people you read readYou see what the people you read read

My YahooMy YahooNewsGator OnlineNewsGator Online

FreeFree DiVX connected devicesDiVX connected devices

BloglinesBloglines Your RSS feeds can be sharedYour RSS feeds can be shared You see what the people you read readYou see what the people you read read

My YahooMy YahooNewsGator OnlineNewsGator Online

FreeFree DiVX connected devicesDiVX connected devices

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Local RSS ReadersLocal RSS Readers

Different 3rd party readers for PC + Different 3rd party readers for PC + MACMAC Hundreds of readersHundreds of readers List too long to includeList too long to include

Different 3rd party readers for PC + Different 3rd party readers for PC + MACMAC Hundreds of readersHundreds of readers List too long to includeList too long to include

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The real-time webThe real-time web

TechnoratiTechnorati Uses RSS to track the popularity of Uses RSS to track the popularity of

weblogs by keeping track of links between weblogs by keeping track of links between themthem

Attention.xmlAttention.xml Extends the RSS reader by focusing on Extends the RSS reader by focusing on

what people are reading and what what people are reading and what information matches the profile of what you information matches the profile of what you normally do readnormally do read

TechnoratiTechnorati Uses RSS to track the popularity of Uses RSS to track the popularity of

weblogs by keeping track of links between weblogs by keeping track of links between themthem

Attention.xmlAttention.xml Extends the RSS reader by focusing on Extends the RSS reader by focusing on

what people are reading and what what people are reading and what information matches the profile of what you information matches the profile of what you normally do readnormally do read

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Future of RSSFuture of RSS

Social groups and Social groups and human relations will be human relations will be mapped and extend into mapped and extend into RSSRSS XFN, FOAF and RojoXFN, FOAF and Rojo

Rich content can be Rich content can be delivered via download, delivered via download, using RSSusing RSS Ability to deliver rich Ability to deliver rich

content will grow content will grow PodcastingPodcasting VideocastingVideocasting

Social groups and Social groups and human relations will be human relations will be mapped and extend into mapped and extend into RSSRSS XFN, FOAF and RojoXFN, FOAF and Rojo

Rich content can be Rich content can be delivered via download, delivered via download, using RSSusing RSS Ability to deliver rich Ability to deliver rich

content will grow content will grow PodcastingPodcasting VideocastingVideocasting

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Future of RSS (More)Future of RSS (More)

MobilityMobility Portable devices with Portable devices with

always-on always-on connection will grow connection will grow market for download market for download based mediabased media

Ability to create, post Ability to create, post and access and access information nears information nears ubiquityubiquity

MobilityMobility Portable devices with Portable devices with

always-on always-on connection will grow connection will grow market for download market for download based mediabased media

Ability to create, post Ability to create, post and access and access information nears information nears ubiquityubiquity

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RSS and education (the future)RSS and education (the future)

Secure RSSSecure RSS Transparency not always Transparency not always

desireddesired Secure RSS 2.0 and Secure RSS 2.0 and

SSH/SSL encryption SSH/SSL encryption technologies could be technologies could be employedemployed

Private channelsPrivate channels One to oneOne to one One to fewOne to few One to manyOne to many

RSS = “Digital Dial Tone”RSS = “Digital Dial Tone”

Secure RSSSecure RSS Transparency not always Transparency not always

desireddesired Secure RSS 2.0 and Secure RSS 2.0 and

SSH/SSL encryption SSH/SSL encryption technologies could be technologies could be employedemployed

Private channelsPrivate channels One to oneOne to one One to fewOne to few One to manyOne to many

RSS = “Digital Dial Tone”RSS = “Digital Dial Tone”

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RSS potential pitfalls?RSS potential pitfalls?

Get all the news you Get all the news you want, and none you want, and none you don’t?don’t? Folks can subscribe to Folks can subscribe to

channels that only fit their channels that only fit their world viewworld view

Increase polarizationIncrease polarization More Red vs. BlueMore Red vs. Blue

Raising the bar on Raising the bar on information compilationinformation compilation Increase stress and Increase stress and

anxietyanxiety Aggregation aggravationAggregation aggravation

Get all the news you Get all the news you want, and none you want, and none you don’t?don’t? Folks can subscribe to Folks can subscribe to

channels that only fit their channels that only fit their world viewworld view

Increase polarizationIncrease polarization More Red vs. BlueMore Red vs. Blue

Raising the bar on Raising the bar on information compilationinformation compilation Increase stress and Increase stress and

anxietyanxiety Aggregation aggravationAggregation aggravation

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Exercise: get aggregating!Exercise: get aggregating!

www.newsgator.comwww.newsgator.com Create an accountCreate an account SubscribeSubscribe

www.sjsu.edu/rsswww.sjsu.edu/rss Itsupport.sjsu.eduItsupport.sjsu.edu

You are aggregatingYou are aggregating

www.newsgator.comwww.newsgator.com Create an accountCreate an account SubscribeSubscribe

www.sjsu.edu/rsswww.sjsu.edu/rss Itsupport.sjsu.eduItsupport.sjsu.edu

You are aggregatingYou are aggregating

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In conclusionIn conclusion

www.edupodder.comwww.edupodder.comBe sure you signed in!Be sure you signed in!Please fill out an evaluationPlease fill out an evaluationSteve SloanSteve Sloan

steve.sloan@sjsu.edusteve.sloan@sjsu.edu(408) 924-2374(408) 924-2374

www.edupodder.comwww.edupodder.comBe sure you signed in!Be sure you signed in!Please fill out an evaluationPlease fill out an evaluationSteve SloanSteve Sloan

steve.sloan@sjsu.edusteve.sloan@sjsu.edu(408) 924-2374(408) 924-2374