RSS (Really Simple Syndication)

As of 2006, UCLA.edu has a RSS Feeds & Podcast Directory (http://www.ucla.edu/rss/) to inform and encourage syndications.

Quick Access

Really Simple Syndication (RSS) is a free, XML-based format for syndicating news and content. RSS feeds are utilized by many major news sites like CNN and Yahoo! through to the UCLA community like the Daily Bruin and Media Relations. Each feed breaks down the most recent updates: headline, summary and link for each update.

Why use RSS?

It’s easier, faster access to updated content from your favorite sites. By subscribing to or bookmarking feeds that you want, your reader or browser will translate code to readable links, updated automatically when new content is available from each subscription.

Using RSS

You can display feeds on several kinds of personalized web sites or a desktop/mobile application. You usually need to copy-and-paste the feed’s URL, but for online readers you may find links that simplify the process in the form of “add to…”

• AnOnline external
  reader,
  • onBloglines, yourRSS computerReader, orBlogspace online.Readers, Feedreader
  • Personalized Google, MyYahoo
• Desktop/mobile reader
  • For PC: SharpReader (free)
  • For Mac: NetNewsWire Lite (free)
  • Online: Bloglines, RSS Reader, Blogspace Readers, Feedreader, Personalized Google, MyYahoo
  • Help using a reader? C|NET has a tutorial.
• An RSS-compliant web browser or available plug-in.
  • Firefox – in the Address Bar, when available, click the orange RSS icon at the top right to add a Live Bookmark; this creates a folder with usually 15 links, which are the latest headlines from the particular site
  • Internet Explorer – Feeds Toolbar for IE (free)
  • Safari – in the Address Bar, when available, click the word “RSS” to add the feed to your browser

Resources

UCLA.edu currently has a list of resources (http://www.ucla.edu/rss/resources.html) to get started.

In addition:

• RSS (Really Simple Syndication) is often used for distribution of news items in an XML format. It’s also used for cataloging blog entries.
  • RSS 2.0 http://backend.userland.com/rss
  • SOAP meets RSS http://www.thetwowayweb.com/soapmeetsrss
  • Introduction to RSS http://www.webreference.com/authoring/languages/xml/rss/intro/index.html