January 12, 2010 COPS RSS Feeds on ERCOT.com Art Deller, Client Services Supervisor Amy Apodaca, Web Content Coordinator

2 Meeting Title (optional)Date RSS Feed Definition What is a RSS Feed? –RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication –RSS is a subscription service that notifies subscribers when new content has been published to a web page. What are the advantages of RSS Feeds? –A user is notified immediately of published updates to a website –A user can collect content from multiple websites and stay updated without visiting each site often. –Feeds can contain a simple link to the source, or the complete content including attachments –Reduces messages in mailbox (does not use address) – (as well as other private info) cannot be sent to third parties because user’s name is not requested

3 Meeting Title (optional)Date Software to run RSS Feeds Special software is needed to operate RSS Feeds –RSS requires a “feed reader” or aggregator to display feeds –Most readers are available as freeware Google Reader Microsoft Outlook ‘07 Yahoo Newsgator FeedDemon (great for a mobile device such as a blackberry or iphone) MSN

4 ERCOT’s RSS Feeds ERCOT will initially offer the following RSS Feeds: –Press Releases –Training –Protocol Library –PRRs –Daily Grid Operations Report –Ancillary Services Offer Selected – Daily Reports –BES Offer Dispatched – Daily Reports –Replacement Reserve Service – Daily Reports RSS FeedsDate

5 How to Subscribe to RSS Feeds Access ERCOT.com. Click the RSS page link located in the top header.ERCOT.com Read the descriptions of the RSS Feeds ERCOT offers. Select the category you want to receive updates on. Follow these directions to subscribe to RSS Feeds: –Decide which feed reader you want to use (Google, Yahoo, or RSS for others) and click the button that corresponds –Click on the link “Subscribe to this feed.” A new folder can be added to organize different feeds by categories. The feed is automatically added to the “RSS folder” if you are using Outlook ’07. –Click “Subscribe” to complete the subscription. RSS FeedsDate

6 RSS Feeds Appear in the Internet Browser’s “Favorites” RSS FeedsDate

7 RSS Feeds Appear in the “RSS” Section of Outlook ‘07 RSS FeedsDate

Questions ?