1 RSS The Easy Way! Reading & Creating Feeds with Free and Easy to Use Tools Russell O’Neill General Services Administration Senior Software Engineer, FirstGov.gov February 21, 2006

2 Getting the RSS Reader Getting the RSS Reader Using RSSOwl to Read Feeds Using RSSOwl to Read Feeds

3 Getting the RSS Reader There are many free RSS readers…I’ll demonstrate one (RSSOwl) today. There are many free RSS readers…I’ll demonstrate one (RSSOwl) today. For a large list of readers, you can visit: Libraries/Library_and_Infor mation_Science/Technical_ Services/Cataloguing/Metad ata/RDF/Applications/RSS/N ews_Readers For a large list of readers, you can visit: Libraries/Library_and_Infor mation_Science/Technical_ Services/Cataloguing/Metad ata/RDF/Applications/RSS/N ews_Readers Even though each one is different, they all function similarly. Even though each one is different, they all function similarly.

4 Getting the RSS Reader Get the file. Get the file rssowl_1_2_win32_bin.zip. Extract the zip file to your desktop. Extract the zip file to your desktop. This will create a folder: rssowl_1_2_win32_bin. This will create a folder: rssowl_1_2_win32_bin.

5 Using RSSOwl to Read Feeds: Main interface Create a new favorite (aka: add a feed) Create a new folder for your favorites

6 Use RSSOwl to Read Feeds: Adding a feed 1 Once you identify a RSS file to subscribe to, copy the URL of the feed. You can do this by selecting the URL in the address bar of your web browser, right-clicking, and selecting copy.

7 Use RSSOwl to Read Feeds: Adding a feed 2 Next, click “New” in RSSOwl. This will create a new favorite and allow you to easily update your feed so you can see what’s new.

8 Use RSSOwl to Read Feeds: Adding a feed 3 Enter the information for the feed. This includes: The feeds URL (which you can paste into the field by right-clicking and selecting paste). A title (you can have RSSOwl pull the tile from the feed, or you can type one). A category (or folder) to hold your favorite. How frequently you would like RSSOwl to update the feed. Whether you would like RSSOwl to open the feed automatically when you open RSSOwl.

9 Using RSSOwl to Read Feeds: Reading a feed Items Channels

10 What is an RSS File? What is an RSS File? Getting an RSS Editor Getting an RSS Editor Using the RSS Editor Using the RSS Editor

11 What is an RSS File? Simple XML-based format. Simple XML-based format. Relies on items being specified in a standard XML (plain text) format. Relies on items being specified in a standard XML (plain text) format. Tools can help you create these files…and these tools vary from content management systems to simple editors.

12 Getting an RSS Editor I’ll show you how to use the RSS Editor Firefox Extension. I’ll show you how to use the RSS Editor Firefox Extension. Download and install Firefox from Download and install Firefox from Visit application=firefox. Visit application=firefox.

13 Using the RSS Editor: Starting the editor

14 Using the RSS Editor: Creating a new feed

15 Using the RSS Editor: Entering channel information Most fields are self-explanatory. Most fields are self-explanatory. Required: Title, Link, Description. Required: Title, Link, Description. Link: HTML link for entire feed’s content. Link: HTML link for entire feed’s content. Language: For English, enter en-us. Language: For English, enter en-us. Date fields: Format is day_of_week, day_of_month three_letter_month_abbreviation year hour:minute:seconds timezone. Use the “…” button to have the editor build the format for you. Date fields: Format is day_of_week, day_of_month three_letter_month_abbreviation year hour:minute:seconds timezone. Use the “…” button to have the editor build the format for you.

16 Using the RSS Editor: Entering items Most fields are self-explanatory. Most fields are self-explanatory. Link: HTML link for specific item’s content. Link: HTML link for specific item’s content. Date fields: Format is day_of_week, day_of_month three_letter_month_abbreviation year hour:minute:seconds timezone. Use the “…” button to have the editor build the format for you. Date fields: Format is day_of_week, day_of_month three_letter_month_abbreviation year hour:minute:seconds timezone. Use the “…” button to have the editor build the format for you. Required: Title or Description. Required: Title or Description.

17 Using the RSS Editor: Saving feeds When naming the feed, ensure it has: When naming the feed, ensure it has: –No spaces (use _ if needed). –No special characters #, etc). –An extension of.xml. –Follows the URL standards for your website.

18 Using the RSS Editor: Opening a feed Exact the same as creating a feed. Exact the same as creating a feed.

19 Using RSSOwl to Test an RSS feed Using RSSOwl to Test an RSS feed

20 Using RSSOwl to Test an RSS Feed

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33 Russell O’Neill