Reading
RSS Feeds With an RSS Agregator
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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
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.Copyright
© Ferdinand Martinez
About
the Author
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ferdinand
Martinez is the owner of the HomeBiz-Resources
Website. To
find the best home based business
ideas and
opportunities so you can work at home
visit:
http://www.HomeBiz-Resources.com
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