RSS Guide: News Feeds & Blogs

this guide in Word

Introduction

What

RSS is a format used for sharing news and other content which is regularly updated. Examples of RSS feeds include news headlines, web page updates, events, channel information (weather, stocks, etc) and blogs. RSS stands for Rich Site Summary or Really Simple Syndication, and uses XML (eXtensible Markup Language) formats such as rdf, rss or xml.

Why

• RSS is relevant because it has become an increasingly popular format for disseminating information.
• RSS feeds serve as a valuable current awareness tool, enabling you to keep informed of the latest news and developments in your particular fields of interest.
• RSS feeds can save you time and provide a useful means of sifting through the vast quantities of information available on the web, by allowing you to access a range of selected news feeds in one place.

How

Accessing and viewing RSS feeds

• You can find and view RSS feeds by browsing or searching one of the many RSS Directories and Search Engines on the web or by looking for the button on a website.
• You can use an Aggregator that automatically downloads the latest updates from your selected RSS feeds to your desktop or web browser.
• Once you have set up your feed aggregator such as Google Reader or Netvibes, you simply need to look for the button on a website and using Internet Browser Firefox or Internet Explorer 7, click on the RSS button . Firefox or IE will then prompt you to choose where you want the feed to go. 
  

Sharing content via RSS feeds

• You can display RSS feeds on your own website for visitors to read.
• You can share your own content by creating an RSS feed for others to access.

Check out JCU Library’s Australian & International News Headlines. This is a collection of news feeds selected for their relevance to the JCU community. Visit this site to read the latest headlines, most of which are updated daily, and follow the links to access the full story of any items that interest you.

 

Directories and Search Engines

You can find feed using an RSS directory, or you can search for headlines and postings on a topic using an RSS search engine. Some sites are both directories and search engines, and also web-based news aggregators. To obtain the URL of a feed, click on the or button.

NewsIsFree – Directory and search engine. Find feed sources by name, browse by category (regional, subject, weblog, etc) or search all sources to find headlines matching your query.

Syndic8 - One of the largest directories of RSS feeds and blogs. Search or browse by site name or subject category.

Journals with RSS feeds can also be identified via Ulrich's Periodicals Directory. Select the Advanced Search option and under Features, tick "RSS Available" along with your other search terms. Or just tick "RSS Available" and click on Search for a full list of over 3,000 titles with RSS feeds. Select the journal you are interested in, "Click here to view" beside RSS availability, and cut and paste the RSS URL shown in the record into your preferred RSS reader.

Aggregators and Readers

Because RSS feeds use xml-based formats, special software is required to view them. You can visit a web-based aggregator, or you can install an RSS aggregator / reader on your desktop. Aggregators allow you to customise a selection of news services that interest you.

Google Reader

Bloglines

RSS Compendium - RSS Readers - A comprehensive list of available RSS readers for various platforms.

 

Displaying an RSS Feed on your own Website

The easy way to display one or more RSS feeds on a web page is by including a line of javascript code for each feed. The following websites allow you to enter the URL of an RSS feed, customise how you want it displayed, and then copy the generated code and paste it into your web page.

Feedroll – Select a feed or enter the URL, customise, then copy and paste the code.

RSSxpress Lite – Enter a feed URL or select from the list, and get the script. Includes tips for formatting.

Blog software often allows you to add a RSS feed to your blog.

Creating your own RSS Feed

If you have regular news or other content that you wish to syndicate, you can make your own RSS feed. The following sites provide information on how to create an RSS feed, either by copying the code and inserting your own news items, or by completing an online form which generates the code for you.

RSS Headliner - Easy step-by-step feed creator. Fill in the online form and copy the code.

Making an RSS Feed – Detailed information about creating RSS feeds.

RSS Guides on the Web

RSS: Your Gateway to News & Blog Content (Search Engine Watch) – An overview and guide to RSS, blogs, RSS directories, aggregators, search engines, and more.

All about RSS – A detailed explanation of RSS that includes a glossary of terms and links to RSS resources.

 

 

If this information is inadequate, incorrect, or can be improved in any way, please let us know