"Originally developed by Netscape in 1999, RSS (which can stand for RDF Site Summary, Rich Site Summary, or Really Simple Syndication) is an XML-based format that allows web developers to describe and syndicate web site content. Using RSS files allows developers to create a data feed that supplies headlines, links, and article summaries from a web site. Other sites can then incorporate these elements into their pages automatically ... [this text] provides a comprehensive reference to the specifications and the tools that make syndication possible"--Back cover.

This step-by-step guide offers bloggers, web developers and programmers an understanding of content syndication and the technologies that make it possible. It highlights all the new features of RSS 2.0, and offers complete coverage of its rival technology, Atom.

This is a concise yet comprehensive guide to feeds and syndication for content professionals, web developers and marketing teams who want to understand what RSS and content syndication is, how it works, what it can for them, and how they can get it up and running. The feed formats and vocabularies are covered in depth, and the book does require some familiarity with XML, but no scripting or development expertise is necessary. The book starts by analyzing the need to distribute content that RSS emerged to meet. It outlines in development of the various formats as way of understanding how the technology map of today came about. The current status of the leading formats is summarized succinctly. Then RSS is examined in detail. The XML vocabulary and document structure is examined and explained clearly. Each element is illustrated with carefully chosen examples. The changes through RSS 0.9x to 2.0 are covered in depth as are extensions and modules such as BitTorrent, EasyNews and others. The book then goes on to examine the richness and complexity of RSS 1.0 and 1.1, again covering both how design decisions were made, then covering the XML structure in depth. The same in depth treatment is then given to Atom, comparing and contrasting the formats where appropriate.

So you have a business and you have a Web site. Bravo! You’re doing all the right things to be successful. But wait — the information on your Web site needs to be updated, and your customers need to know. Good heavens, didn’t you spend half of last week doing that? There’s got to be a quicker, easier way to keep your clientele informed, and while we’re at it, how about building your business too? RSS can come to your rescue, but first you need to know what it is and how to use it. Syndicating Web Sites With RSS Feeds For Dummies has what you need to know to get up and running fast—and with today’s flood of constantly-changing information, “fast” is a top priority. Here, in plain English, you’ll find out how to: Use RSS to drive traffic to your Web site and build brand awareness Choose and install the right software, set up RSS feeds, and decide on the format that meets your needs Create RSS feeds from scratch, or put a news reader on your Web site Improve your site’s ranking in search engines and build customer loyalty Enable your customers to choose when and how they receive updated information Tailor information for your audience and publish all your updates quickly and easily Promote your RSS feed and explain to your customers how to use it Provide added value for your customers Making the most of RSS can make life easier for both you and those who do business with you. Syndicating Web Sites With RSS Feeds For Dummies will help you maintain fresh content for your Web site, blog, or e-zine, promote your site and establish links to it, and even update vital documents like employee guides, price lists, and procedures manuals, quickly and easily.

RSS and Atom are specifications that give users the power to subscribe to information they want to receive and give content developers tools to provide continuous subscriptions to willing recipients in a spam-free setting. RSS and Atom are the technical power behind the growing millions of blogs on the Web. Blogs change the Web from a set of static pages or sites requiring programming expertise to update to an ever changing, constantly updated landscape that anyone can contribute to. RSS and Atom syndication provides users an easy way to track new information on as many Web sites as they want. This book offers you insight to understanding the issues facing the user community so you can meet users' needs by writing software and Web sites using RSS and Atom feeds. Beginning with an introduction to all the current and coming versions of RSS and Atom, you'll go step by step through the process of producing, aggregating, and storing information feeds. When you're finished, you'll be able to produce client software and Web sites that create, manipulate, aggregate, and display information feeds effectively. "This book is full of practical advice and tips for consuming, producing, and manipulating information feeds. I only wish I had a book like this when I started writing RSS Bandit." - Dare Obasanjo, RSS Bandit creator: http://www.rssbandit.org/

The handy guide for getting your site to jump to the top, now updated with the latest tips and tricks! A clear understanding of search engine optimization (SEO) is essential if you want your Web site to appear high in search results. This straightforward-but-fun guide provides you with a clear understanding of how you can use SEO as a key strategy for online marketing. After discussing search engine basics, SEO expert Peter Kent shares tips, tricks, and advice for making your content appealing to search engines. You'll explore new and updated content on Bing, Google's new "Caffeine" search algorithm, localized searches, Google Sidewiki, and more. Packed with invaluable insight for showing up in searches at Amazon, eBay, Borders, Barnes & Noble, and Craigslist, this updated guide puts you on your way to the top of the heap! Provides you with a clear understanding of the basics of search engine optimization Details the techniques, tips, and tricks for getting your site ranked high and making your content appetizing to search engines Offers completely updated material on Bing, localized search optimization, video search optimization, Google's new "Caffeine" search algorithm, and more Shows you how show up in product search marketing on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, eBay, Craigslist, and more The search for the best introduction to search engine optimization is over! Search Engine Optimization For Dummies, 4th Edition offers everything you need to know to reach the top of the online mountain!

Let expert John Hendron show you how to use a news aggregator to harness the power of RSS for a variety of purposes, including classroom projects, professional development, and keeping students and parents informed. Learn how to use free and inexpensive software such as Garage Band and Audacity to manipulate audio files and create podcasts. Explore the pros and cons of various blogging platforms. Have your students blog, and use RSS to deliver their assignments to you automatically. With RSS and the Read/Write Web, the possibilities are endless.