rss news feeds

RSS News feeds: 

RSS News feeds A method for news content syndication Ferry Hendrikx (ferry.hendrikx@ssc.govt.nz) 10 July 2003

Introduction: 

Introduction RSS? Really Simple Syndication (RSS 0.91) RDF Site Summary (RSS 1.0) RSS is a format for syndicating news and news-like content. Definition: Syndication is the publication of something in many places at once.

Part 1: 

Part 1 An introduction to RSS

Introduction to RSS: 

Introduction to RSS What does RSS provide? XML based standard for syndication of news and news-like content. In fact, can be used for almost anything that can be broken down into discrete items: News Vacancies Changes to a website, book or database

A brief history of RSS: 

A brief history of RSS Netscape developed the original standard (RSS 0.90) for building portals. Netscape further refined this until they released RSS 0.91. Netscape dropped RSS when they left the portal building business. RSS 0.91 is still popular, even though it is effectively obsolete.

A brief history of RSS: 

A brief history of RSS In 2000, the RSS-DEV working group produced the RSS 1.0 standard. Its goals included: Fixing a number of problems with RSS 0.9X. More flexibility (using RDF and namespaces) Community ownership of RSS. Standards based (RDF and Dublin Core). In late 2002, Userland released RSS 2.0, an upgrade of 0.9X.

Inside RSS 1.0: 

Inside RSS 1.0 So, what does a simple RSS file contain? A header (an introduction). A list of items. Each item consists of: A title. A link (typically a URL). A description. Appropriate DC or NZGLS tags.

Inside RSS (example): 

Inside RSS (example) <item rdf:about="http://www.ssc.govt.nz/appt-ce-natlib-oct02"> <title>Appointment of National Librarian announced</title> <link>http://www.ssc.govt.nz/appt-ce-natlib-oct02</link> <description>The State Services Commissioner, Michael Wintringham, announced today the appointment of Penny Carnaby as Chief Executive of National Library of New Zealand and National Librarian... </description> <nzgls:date.valid>2002-10-09</nzgls:date.valid> <nzgls:identifier>20021009-0016-SSC</nzgls:identifier> <nzgls:type.agency>State Services Commission</nzgls:type.agency> <nzgls:type.document>News</nzgls:type.document> </item>

How do we use RSS?: 

How do we use RSS? Each site publishes summary of news in an RSS file (a feed). The feed is available on public web site, via HTTP. A central aggregator traverses a list of URLs, downloading RSS feeds and integrating them into its local database. The aggregator displays news items on its site.

RSS usage example: 

RSS usage example

RSS usage example: 

RSS usage example

RSS usage example: 

RSS usage example

RSS usage example: 

RSS usage example

RSS usage example: 

RSS usage example

Part 2: 

Part 2 RSS within the New Zealand Government.

Using RSS on the Portal: 

Using RSS on the Portal Portal will act as an aggregator Fetch RSS 1.0 feeds from multiple sources. Display aggregated results on the Portal. Generate a public aggregated RSS 1.0 feed. Portal aggregator will: Archive content. Search content based on keyword, subject or region.

Prototyping: 

Prototyping In the last few months, have been running a prototype system, with the participation of a number of agencies. Using the RSS 1.0 standard + NZGLS Positive results: Clarification and changes to the standard. Higher awareness of RSS. Working prototype!

Drawbacks: 

Drawbacks Initial up-front cost of producing a regular RSS feed: This is reduced (and easier) if you already have some kind of CMS or if your content is kept in a database. This is harder if you don’t have either a CMS or a database. Experience shows a 1 or 2 day development time for those with an existing CMS or database.

Benefits: 

Benefits Syndication of your content Widespread use of your content possible. Drives users to your website, increasing your visibility and profile. Value-added content results in a better end-user experience (for example, regionalisation). Machine readability of RDF increases accessibility of your content.

Further Benefits: 

Further Benefits The Portal is automatically up to date. No more manual entering of data into a web interface: Duplication of effort removed. Errors reduced. Re-publication of news items by the Portal aggregator. Updated hourly to contain latest news.

(Re)Publication: 

(Re)Publication RSS 1.0 is widely understood Plenty of software that reads and writes RSS Lots of large sites produce RSS feeds: BBC, Wired, CNN, SlashDot, MyRSS Common usage is to run an RSS reader and combined aggregator on your desktop (for example AmphetaDesk).

The End: 

The End Links http://web.resource.org/rss/1.0/ http://www.w3.org/RDF/ http://www.nzgls.govt.nz/ http://www.e-government.govt.nz/docs/rss-v-1-0-final/ Any Questions?