Introduction to RSS

RSS is a method that uses XML to distribute web content on one web site, to many other web sites.

RSS allows fast browsing for news and updates.

What You Should Already Know

Before you continue you should have a basic understanding of the following:

• HTML / XHTML
• XML / XML Namespaces

If you want to study these subjects first, find the tutorials on our Home page.

What is RSS?

• RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication
• RSS allows you to syndicate your site content
• RSS defines an easy way to share and view headlines and content
• RSS files can be automatically updated
• RSS allows personalized views for different sites
• RSS is written in XML

Why use RSS?

RSS was designed to show selected data.

Without RSS, users will have to check your site daily for new updates. This may be too time-consuming for many users. With an RSS feed (RSS is often called a News feed or RSS feed) they can check your site faster using an RSS aggregator (a site or program that gathers and sorts out RSS feeds).

Since RSS data is small and fast-loading, it can easily be used with services like cell phones or PDA's.

Web-rings with similar information can easily share data on their web sites to make them better and more useful.

Who Should use RSS?

Webmasters who seldom update their web sites do not need RSS!

RSS is useful for web sites that are updated frequently, like:

• News sites - Lists news with title, date and descriptions
• Companies - Lists news and new products
• Calendars - Lists upcoming events and important days
• Site changes - Lists changed pages or new pages

The Future of RSS

RSS is going to be everywhere!

Thousands of sites use RSS and more people understand its usefulness every day.

With RSS, information on the internet becomes easier to find, and web developers can spread their information more easily to special interest groups.

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