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| The RSS "Subscribe" Button |
What is an RSS?
Have you ever seen a news ticker scrolling across the bottom of your television screen as you watched a local news channel, CNN, or even MTV? If so, you’ve seen an extremely basic version of a feed. In a feed, brief summary statements about a recent event or hot topic scroll across screens, providing the most up-to-date information in a succinct manner to a variety of outlets or individuals.
What, then, is an RSS Feed?
An RSS, an acronym for “Really Simple Syndication” is “a popular type of Web feed for syndicating frequently updated Web content” (Shelly & Frydenberg, 2011, p. 80). In most forms, an RSS feed includes a brief summary of new or recently updated stories or topics (usually in the form of a link that will take the individual to the feed’s home site), as well as information related to the source (typically a blog or Web site) and the publication date (Shelly & Frydenberg, 2011, p. 80). In short, an RSS feed provides automated information to individuals on the Web, thereby saving individuals time and effort as they no longer have to check multiple sites for updates (Shelly & Frydenberg, 2011, p. 81). Rather, individuals can easily and quickly access short summaries from RSS feeds via Web-Based feed readers (such as Google Reader) or client feed readers (such as FeedDemon and FeedReader). Individuals select which RSS feeds they wish to subscribe to, thereby tailoring their feeds to their interests and preferences. They also retain control over their feeds, as they may unsubscribe from feeds at any time.
What is the history of RSS?
The roots of RSS can be traced back to the creation of Resource Description Framework (RDF) in 1997 by Ramanathan V. Guha. RDF referred to a markup language that could be utilized to store metadata (“History of RSS”). Employing some of the same technology and concepts of RDF, Netscape created a RSS standard in 1999 and named it RSS version 0.90 (“History of RSS”). Netscape’s goal was to use an XML (eXtensible markup language) format in order to distribute news and information (“History of RSS”). Although numerous Netscape employees offered subsequent updates to version 0.90, Netscape halted their involvement in RSS development soon after, emphasizing that the technology had grown “too complicated” for their purposes (“History of RSS”). Userland Software then took control of the RSS technology, first releasing a non-compatible version (Version 1.0) and then releasing a compatible version known as RSS version 2.0 (“History of RSS”). The RSS standard was then donated to a “non-commercial third party,” Harvard Law School, in an effort to achieve universal endorsement. The Creative Commons license allows for the customization and usage of the RSS standard (“History of RSS”).
What are the uses of RSS?
The uses of RSS are many and varied. At the core of all RSS feeds is the need to share new or recently updated information. RSS feeds can be used to share news stories, hot topics, or important events (i.e. CNN). They can also be used to share celebrity gossip and entertainment news (i.e. MTV and TMZ). Monster.com employs RSS feeds to keep job searchers up-to-date on the most recent additions to the job market. EBay uses RSS feeds to notify individuals about daily deals, while Amazon uses RSS feeds to keep individuals abreast of recent bestsellers. RSS feeds on Flickr show individuals the most recent pictures uploaded by a Flickr member and friend, while one of Google’s RSS feeds lets individuals subscribe in order to obtain new or recently updated search result listings for specific queries.
The possibilities of use are virtually endless!
How important are they as a means of disseminating information?
An RSS feed is an incredibly important tool to disseminate information in the virtual world. RSS feeds allow individuals or companies the ability to publicize information quickly, succinctly, and efficiently, thereby reaching a wide range of people with only minimal effort.
In addition, RSS feeds prevent the possibility of information overload. RSS feeds give individuals the opportunity to browse through information and then choose which stories they want to read.
How are they used as a business tool?
RSS feeds can have positive effects within an organization. Let’s first look at the advantages for businesses that employ their own RSS feeds. Corporate RSS feeds allow companies the ability to disseminate information to a variety of individuals quickly and effortlessly in a matter of minutes. They also positively impact a corporate’s marketing and public relations efforts in that they can potentially increase traffic to a parent company’s site, while ensuring that the individuals who view the company’s site are truly interested in the company and its proceedings.
However, companies can also subscribe to their competitors’ RSS feeds in order to gain a competitive advantage in the market. Subscribing to a competitor’s feed allows business executives to monitor their competitors’ efforts and recent ventures, to track news and developments within the industry, and to follow stocks and investments.
Can you share some examples?
Absolutely! Check out the two RSS feeds at the bottom of my page.
Can you share some examples?
Absolutely! Check out the two RSS feeds at the bottom of my page.
References:
Shelly, G. & Frydenberg, M. Web 2.0: Concepts and applications. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.
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