1 Emerging Technology Using RSS RSS and syndication By Steve Sloan RSS and syndication By Steve Sloan

2 Understanding RSS All you need to know: All you need to know: Keeping it simple! Keeping it simple! Good functional definitions Good functional definitions RSS (pronounced "arr-ess-ess") is a web syndication protocol primarily used by news websites and weblogs RSS (pronounced "arr-ess-ess") is a web syndication protocol primarily used by news websites and weblogs Format for delivering summaries of regularly changing web content Format for delivering summaries of regularly changing web content All you need to know: All you need to know: Keeping it simple! Keeping it simple! Good functional definitions Good functional definitions RSS (pronounced "arr-ess-ess") is a web syndication protocol primarily used by news websites and weblogs RSS (pronounced "arr-ess-ess") is a web syndication protocol primarily used by news websites and weblogs Format for delivering summaries of regularly changing web content Format for delivering summaries of regularly changing web content

3 Goals Define key terms associated with RSS Define key terms associated with RSS Provide an overview of the technologies associated with RSS Provide an overview of the technologies associated with RSS Discuss how RSS, and related technologies, can be a way to manage information Discuss how RSS, and related technologies, can be a way to manage information Discuss possible ways that RSS and related technologies may evolve Discuss possible ways that RSS and related technologies may evolve Use RSS to read a feed! Use RSS to read a feed! Define key terms associated with RSS Define key terms associated with RSS Provide an overview of the technologies associated with RSS Provide an overview of the technologies associated with RSS Discuss how RSS, and related technologies, can be a way to manage information Discuss how RSS, and related technologies, can be a way to manage information Discuss possible ways that RSS and related technologies may evolve Discuss possible ways that RSS and related technologies may evolve Use RSS to read a feed! Use RSS to read a feed!

4 Terms: RSS Really Simple Syndication Really Simple Syndication A family of XML based web-content distribution and republication (Web syndication) protocols primarily used by news sites and weblogs. A family of XML based web-content distribution and republication (Web syndication) protocols primarily used by news sites and weblogs. Other definitions Other definitions Rich Site Summary Rich Site Summary RDF Site Summary RDF Site Summary Really Simple Syndication Really Simple Syndication A family of XML based web-content distribution and republication (Web syndication) protocols primarily used by news sites and weblogs. A family of XML based web-content distribution and republication (Web syndication) protocols primarily used by news sites and weblogs. Other definitions Other definitions Rich Site Summary Rich Site Summary RDF Site Summary RDF Site Summary

5 RSS - technical definition More than you need to know: More than you need to know: RSS is a file format that allows anyone with a website — from large media companies to individual commentators — to easily "syndicate" their content, similar to how comic strips and popular columns are syndicated by their owners to hundreds of newspapers. Except that on the Web, the RSS syndication is usually free, and the content that is syndicated is often not the full entry, but excerpts and links back to the originating website. RSS is a file format that allows anyone with a website — from large media companies to individual commentators — to easily "syndicate" their content, similar to how comic strips and popular columns are syndicated by their owners to hundreds of newspapers. Except that on the Web, the RSS syndication is usually free, and the content that is syndicated is often not the full entry, but excerpts and links back to the originating website. More than you need to know: More than you need to know: RSS is a file format that allows anyone with a website — from large media companies to individual commentators — to easily "syndicate" their content, similar to how comic strips and popular columns are syndicated by their owners to hundreds of newspapers. Except that on the Web, the RSS syndication is usually free, and the content that is syndicated is often not the full entry, but excerpts and links back to the originating website. RSS is a file format that allows anyone with a website — from large media companies to individual commentators — to easily "syndicate" their content, similar to how comic strips and popular columns are syndicated by their owners to hundreds of newspapers. Except that on the Web, the RSS syndication is usually free, and the content that is syndicated is often not the full entry, but excerpts and links back to the originating website.

6 Terms: Weblogs A weblog, Web log or simply a blog, is a web application which contains periodic, reverse chronologically ordered posts on a common webpage. A weblog, Web log or simply a blog, is a web application which contains periodic, reverse chronologically ordered posts on a common webpage. Such a Web site would typically be accessible to any Internet use Such a Web site would typically be accessible to any Internet use The changing nature of weblogs, and their reverse chronological ordering, makes them especially suited to RSS feeding The changing nature of weblogs, and their reverse chronological ordering, makes them especially suited to RSS feeding A weblog, Web log or simply a blog, is a web application which contains periodic, reverse chronologically ordered posts on a common webpage. A weblog, Web log or simply a blog, is a web application which contains periodic, reverse chronologically ordered posts on a common webpage. Such a Web site would typically be accessible to any Internet use Such a Web site would typically be accessible to any Internet use The changing nature of weblogs, and their reverse chronological ordering, makes them especially suited to RSS feeding The changing nature of weblogs, and their reverse chronological ordering, makes them especially suited to RSS feeding

7 Terms: Feed A file document, usually in XML format, associated with a changing website, typically a weblog A file document, usually in XML format, associated with a changing website, typically a weblog As with all XML documents, RSS documents employ a set of tags that describe elements of the text As with all XML documents, RSS documents employ a set of tags that describe elements of the text Typically these files are updated dynamically as the site changes Typically these files are updated dynamically as the site changes A file document, usually in XML format, associated with a changing website, typically a weblog A file document, usually in XML format, associated with a changing website, typically a weblog As with all XML documents, RSS documents employ a set of tags that describe elements of the text As with all XML documents, RSS documents employ a set of tags that describe elements of the text Typically these files are updated dynamically as the site changes Typically these files are updated dynamically as the site changes

8 Terms: Aggregation A program that reads an RSS or an Atom feed is called an aggregator A program that reads an RSS or an Atom feed is called an aggregator Aggregator programs collect data from multiple feeds and consolidate them into a simple to navigate view Aggregator programs collect data from multiple feeds and consolidate them into a simple to navigate view Aggregators are typically constructed as extensions to a Web browser, as extensions to an program, or as standalone programs Aggregators are typically constructed as extensions to a Web browser, as extensions to an program, or as standalone programs An aggregator program is also called a reader An aggregator program is also called a reader A program that reads an RSS or an Atom feed is called an aggregator A program that reads an RSS or an Atom feed is called an aggregator Aggregator programs collect data from multiple feeds and consolidate them into a simple to navigate view Aggregator programs collect data from multiple feeds and consolidate them into a simple to navigate view Aggregators are typically constructed as extensions to a Web browser, as extensions to an program, or as standalone programs Aggregators are typically constructed as extensions to a Web browser, as extensions to an program, or as standalone programs An aggregator program is also called a reader An aggregator program is also called a reader

9 Terms: Syndication Making Web feeds available from a site so other people can display an updating list of content from it Making Web feeds available from a site so other people can display an updating list of content from it Focuses on changing content Focuses on changing content For example: one's latest forum or weblog postings, etc. For example: one's latest forum or weblog postings, etc. This originated with news and blog sites but is increasingly used to syndicate any information This originated with news and blog sites but is increasingly used to syndicate any information Making Web feeds available from a site so other people can display an updating list of content from it Making Web feeds available from a site so other people can display an updating list of content from it Focuses on changing content Focuses on changing content For example: one's latest forum or weblog postings, etc. For example: one's latest forum or weblog postings, etc. This originated with news and blog sites but is increasingly used to syndicate any information This originated with news and blog sites but is increasingly used to syndicate any information

10 So, how does RSS work? Feeder Feeder This typically XML format file is updated dynamically by a web application that lists and links changes to a web site This typically XML format file is updated dynamically by a web application that lists and links changes to a web site Reader Reader A program known as an RSS aggregator, or feed reader, checks RSS-enabled feeds on behalf of a user and displays any updated information that it finds A program known as an RSS aggregator, or feed reader, checks RSS-enabled feeds on behalf of a user and displays any updated information that it finds Feeder Feeder This typically XML format file is updated dynamically by a web application that lists and links changes to a web site This typically XML format file is updated dynamically by a web application that lists and links changes to a web site Reader Reader A program known as an RSS aggregator, or feed reader, checks RSS-enabled feeds on behalf of a user and displays any updated information that it finds A program known as an RSS aggregator, or feed reader, checks RSS-enabled feeds on behalf of a user and displays any updated information that it finds

11 Standards (RSS and Atom) Many flavors of RSS Many flavors of RSS.9x, 1.x, 2.x.9x, 1.x, 2.x Atom (a fork in the road!) Atom (a fork in the road!) rooted in RSS rooted in RSS not backwardly compatible with any of the previous RSS versions not backwardly compatible with any of the previous RSS versions Feedburner ™ converts Atom to RSS Feedburner ™ converts Atom to RSS Many flavors of RSS Many flavors of RSS.9x, 1.x, 2.x.9x, 1.x, 2.x Atom (a fork in the road!) Atom (a fork in the road!) rooted in RSS rooted in RSS not backwardly compatible with any of the previous RSS versions not backwardly compatible with any of the previous RSS versions Feedburner ™ converts Atom to RSS Feedburner ™ converts Atom to RSS

12 RSS 2.0 & Enclosures Allows for attachments called “enclosures” Allows for attachments called “enclosures” Podcasting Podcasting Download based Download based Videocasting Videocasting Mediablogging Mediablogging Mobile blogging (moblogging) Mobile blogging (moblogging) Download, not streaming Download, not streaming Allows for attachments called “enclosures” Allows for attachments called “enclosures” Podcasting Podcasting Download based Download based Videocasting Videocasting Mediablogging Mediablogging Mobile blogging (moblogging) Mobile blogging (moblogging) Download, not streaming Download, not streaming

13 Consuming RSS Feeds Each feed is like a food Each feed is unique The reader is like a meal A well rounded meal is an aggregation of foods An RSS reader is the program that presents the information feeds The reader provides the user interface

14 A typical RSS reader view Feeds Headline s Content

15 RSS has many faces

16 How do RSS readers differ? Can be constructed as extensions to a Web browser, as extensions to an program, or as standalone programs Can be constructed as extensions to a Web browser, as extensions to an program, or as standalone programs Can be Web applications Can be Web applications Can have widely different user interfaces Can have widely different user interfaces Can be constructed as extensions to a Web browser, as extensions to an program, or as standalone programs Can be constructed as extensions to a Web browser, as extensions to an program, or as standalone programs Can be Web applications Can be Web applications Can have widely different user interfaces Can have widely different user interfaces

17 Web-based Bloglines Bloglines Your RSS feeds can be shared Your RSS feeds can be shared You see what the people you read read You see what the people you read read My Yahoo My Yahoo NewsGator Online NewsGator Online Free Free DiVX connected devices DiVX connected devices Bloglines Bloglines Your RSS feeds can be shared Your RSS feeds can be shared You see what the people you read read You see what the people you read read My Yahoo My Yahoo NewsGator Online NewsGator Online Free Free DiVX connected devices DiVX connected devices

18 Local RSS Readers Different 3rd party readers for PC + MAC Different 3rd party readers for PC + MAC Hundreds of readers Hundreds of readers List too long to include List too long to include Different 3rd party readers for PC + MAC Different 3rd party readers for PC + MAC Hundreds of readers Hundreds of readers List too long to include List too long to include

19 The real-time web Technorati Technorati Uses RSS to track the popularity of weblogs by keeping track of links between them Uses RSS to track the popularity of weblogs by keeping track of links between them Attention.xml Attention.xml Extends the RSS reader by focusing on what people are reading and what information matches the profile of what you normally do read Extends the RSS reader by focusing on what people are reading and what information matches the profile of what you normally do read Technorati Technorati Uses RSS to track the popularity of weblogs by keeping track of links between them Uses RSS to track the popularity of weblogs by keeping track of links between them Attention.xml Attention.xml Extends the RSS reader by focusing on what people are reading and what information matches the profile of what you normally do read Extends the RSS reader by focusing on what people are reading and what information matches the profile of what you normally do read

20 Future of RSS Social groups and human relations will be mapped and extend into RSS XFN, FOAF and Rojo Rich content can be delivered via download, using RSS Ability to deliver rich content will grow Podcasting Videocasting

21 Future of RSS (More) Mobility Portable devices with always-on connection will grow market for download based media Ability to create, post and access information nears ubiquity

22 RSS and education (the future) Secure RSS Transparency not always desired Secure RSS 2.0 and SSH/SSL encryption technologies could be employed Private channels One to one One to few One to many RSS = “Digital Dial Tone”

23 RSS potential pitfalls? Get all the news you want, and none you don’t? Folks can subscribe to channels that only fit their world view Increase polarization More Red vs. Blue Raising the bar on information compilation Increase stress and anxiety Aggregation aggravation

24 Exercise: get aggregating! m Create an account Subscribe Itsupport.sjsu.edu You are aggregating

25 In conclusion Be sure you signed in! Be sure you signed in! Please fill out an evaluation Please fill out an evaluation Steve Sloan (408) Steve Sloan (408) Be sure you signed in! Be sure you signed in! Please fill out an evaluation Please fill out an evaluation Steve Sloan (408) Steve Sloan (408)