Reading RSS Feeds - RSS or Really Simple Syndication or Rich Site Summary is
the latest information management tool that is gradually earning popularity
among web users and website owners. With RSS technology, it is possible to get
the latest postings from your favorite websites. But clicking on the RSS or XML
button in a homepage is not enough to give you the service you need. An RSS feed
or code displayed in the pop-up screen if not on the main page is composed of
symbols and words that would only make sense to advanced RSS users and computer
programmers and software enthusiasts. Another software tool called an RSS
aggregator or reader is needed.
An aggregator works by scanning the worldwide web with latest postings based on
the RSS code (containing the website’s URL) provided or added by the user. When
it finds a new posting, news, or update, it will publish the RSS feed on your
home page containing the title of the posting, which also serves as a clickable
link to the website source. This RSS feed may or may not contain the whole
article, a summary, and photos, depending on what RSS aggregator you are using.
Aggregators come in two types: the downloadable program or desktop-type and the
online or web-based type. The desktop aggregator usually charges a certain
amount for its services; this would include regular updating in the form of
upgrades or patches to the original version. This type of RSS reader allows more
customization of RSS feeds as well as page format or design over its on-line
counterparts. But of course, price can be a drawback.
On-line or web-based aggregators are free of charge. All you need to do is
register an account with them then you can start enjoying their services.
Depending on the “brand” of the aggregator, customization is more limited. Some
even do not allow you to customize at all.
Product and service advertisers are realizing the potential of RSS aggregators
in internet marketing. In fact, several submit RSS codes to several popular
web-based aggregators to reach the growing technophile and internet-based
market. My Yahoo has been instrumental in popularizing RSS technology to both
users and website owners and advertisers.
At present, there are many aggregators to choose from and newer versions of the
same aggregator are constantly developed by its programmers.
Below are some of these desktop and online aggregators:
Desktop Aggregators
1. AmphetaDesk
Advantages:
- free
- supports Linux, Mac, and Windows
- easy addition of RSS feeds
Disadvantages:
- not maximized use of screen display
- few options for customizing
2. FeedDemon
Advantages:
- user friendly
- free trial version
- contains prepared popular feeds
- allows filtering of RSS feeds
- configurable “watch list” to manage junk RSS feeds
- search channel feature that incorporates other RSS services e.g. Feedster
- allows feed storage for future use
- tabbed browsers for channel navigation
- built-in podcast receiver
Disadvantages:
- supports only Internet Explorer (embedded)
- paid software (`$29.95)
Online Aggregators
1. Bloglines
Advantages:
- all major browsers supported (e.g. Netscape Navigator, Internet Explorer,
Firefox)
- user-friendly especially for beginners
- free, web-based aggregator
- easy registration
- no advertisements
- contains its own directory of RSS feeds of thousands of websites
- personal email account for subscribing to newsletter emails (optional)
- allows privacy adjustments for personal blogs
- allows saved searches
- mobile version available
- 10 languages supported
- Additional add-on tools for automated blogrolls and subscription buttons
2. NewsGator
Advantages:
- free (consumer-standard version)
- provides personalized news channel
- allows translation of RSS articles into email format
- synchronization of feeds in several devices possible
- browse and search feed capabilities save time on surfing
- allows keyword filtering
- blog headlines
- button-click automatic subscription to news feeds
Disadvantage:
- Outlook-based thus limited to Windows
3. My Yahoo
Advantages:
- Free web-based aggregator
- user-friendly
- customizable home page design
- button-click subscription to RSS feeds
- built-in directory and search tool for feeds
- wide variety of feeds e.g. news (science, technology, local), weather
- connects to all Yahoo features and services
Disadvantage
- banner advertisements
There are also lightweight RSS aggregator extensions which are actually plug-ins
to existing internet browsers. An example of which is Sage aggregator.
Advantages:
- free of charge
- beginner-friendly
- reeds both RSS and Atom feeds
- allows feed discovery
- can be assimilated to Firefox bookmark (storage and live)
- allows OPML feed lists imports and exports
- customizable style sheets
- supports a wide range of locales e.g. Catalan, Italian, Japanese, Spanish,
Korean, Polish, Slovenian, etc.
- easy installation
Disadvantages:
- good for about 12 RSS feeds
- limited use to Mozilla-Firefox and Mozilla-Firefox supported browsers
RSS developers promise better features in future versions of their aggregators.
Microsoft is planning to include a built-in aggregator in their next Windows
version. These developments are definitely something to look forward to by all
internet aficionados.
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