integrating rss into your web site (il2008)
DESCRIPTION
Presented at Internet Librarian 2008 in Monterey, CA on 18 November 2008.TRANSCRIPT
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Integrating RSS into Your Web sitePart 1:
Introduction
Michael SauersTechnology Innovation
LibrarianNebraska Library
CommissionComputers in Libraries
2008
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Introductions
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NameLibraryPositionDoes your library use RSS? If so, how?Why are you here?
What is RSS?
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Depending on who you ask it stands for either “Really Simple Syndication”, “Rich Site Summary”, or “RDF Site Summary”.
“Really Simple Syndication” is the de facto definition today.
RSS is an XML language for syndicating items on the Internet.
The History of RSS
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RSS 1.1 (update to RSS 1.0), RSS 3.0 (a new, independent project), and “Simple Sharing Extensions” (an update to RSS 2.0 by Microsoft) have all been proposed but have had no impact yet.
How does RSS work?
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Information Provider
Information Receiver
How does RSS work?
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The information provider creates an RSS file.
Users subscribe to the file via an aggregator.
When the author updates the RSS file, the user is automatically notified of the new items and may read them on their schedule.
Are there differentversions of RSS?
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Yes. In fact, there are currently eight different versions:RSS 0.90, 0.91, 0.92, 0.93, 0.94, 1.0, 2.0, & Atom Feeds
Each has different features from the author’s point of view.
Today’s aggregators support all of the versions transparently.
RSS 2.0 & Atom are the most common.
Implications of RSSInformation is received in a single locationInformation is received quicklyThe need to visit the originating Web site is
reducedand…
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The possible end of this:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?><rss version="2.0“> <channel> <title>Nebraska Library Commission Blog</title> <link>http://www.nlc.state.ne.us/blogs/NLC/</link> <description>Bringing together people and information</description> <language>en</language> <copyright>Copyright 2007</copyright> <lastBuildDate>Thu, 10 May 2007 07:34:17 -0600</lastBuildDate> <generator>http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/</generator> <docs>http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss</docs> <item> <title>New depository directories</title> <description>
<![CDATA[<p>The directories of Nebraska's federal and state depository libraries got a new look recently. Contact names and emails of library staff will be updated automatically when our comprehensive library directory is updated. The depository directories are located at <a href="http://http://www.nlc.state.ne.us/ docs/nefed.asp">http://http://www.nlc.state.ne.us/docs/nefed.asp</a></p>]]> </description> <link>http://www.nlc.state.ne.us/blogs/NLC/2007/05/new_depository_directories.html</link> <guid>http://www.nlc.state.ne.us/blogs/NLC/2007/05/new_depository_directories.html</guid> <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category">Information Resources</category> <pubDate>Wed, 09 May 2007 07:28:43 -0600</pubDate> </item> </channel></rss>
What does RSS look like?
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How can I find feeds?
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Google Blog Search
Bloglines
BlogrollsA list of blogs/feeds read by another blogger
Look for the orange icon…
How do I subscribe to a feed?
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Look for the orange iconhttp://www.feedicons.com/
Depending on your aggregator, the subscription procedure may range from copying and pasting the link to right-clicking and selecting “subscribe”.
Podcasts
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Uses RSS to syndicate audio content
RSS 2.0 <enclosure>Like adding an attachment to an e-mail
Audio FormatsMP3 (Open Source)AAC (Apple Proprietary)
iPod not necessary
Podcasts in iTunes
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Notable Feeds
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Librarian.netwww.librarian.net
LISNewswww.lisnews.com
The Shifted Librariantheshiftedlibrarian.com
The Travelin’ Librariantravelinlibrarian.info
Tame the Webtametheweb.com/ttwblog
Unshelvedwww.overduemedia.com
PaperCutspapercuts.tscpl.org
• Gizmodowww.gizmodo.com
• Security Now!www.grc.com/securitynow.htm
• Inside The Net &This Week in Tech (TWiT)thisweekintech.com
• Boing Boingboingboing.net
• Google News• isbn.nu• del.icio.us• flickr
Michael SauersTechnology Innovation
LibrarianNebraska Library
Commission Computers in Libraries
2008
Integrating RSS into Your Web sitePart 2:
Reading Feeds
What is an Aggregator?
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An aggregator is a type of software that retrieves syndicated Web content that is supplied in the form of a web feed (RSS, Atom and other XML formats), and that are published by weblogs, podcasts, vlogs, and mainstream mass media websites.-Wikipedia
It’s what you need to retrieve and read RSS feeds.
What are the differenttypes of aggregators?
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Standalone ClientsFeedReader, Radio UserLand
PIM add-insPluck, NewsGator, intraVnews
Browser add-insFirefox, Sage
Web-basedBloglines, NewsIsFree
A list is available @http://www.lights.com/weblogs/rss.html
Why do I need an aggregator?
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Most importantly it makes the content of the feed readable
Checks for updates automaticallyNotifies you of new informationDisplays only new items for youMay allow you to sort and save information
RSS file in IE6
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Atom file w/ associated style sheet
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Firefox 3.0
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Internet Explorer 7
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Types of Aggregators
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ClientAdd-onBuilt-inServer-basedWeb-based service
FeedReader (client)
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Firefox 3
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Firefox 3
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IE7
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Feed on Feeds (server)
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Bloglines (Web-based service)
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Subscribing to a feed
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Integrating Bloglines w/ Firefox 3.0
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The Bloglines Bookmarklet
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Michael SauersTechnology Innovation
LibrarianNebraska Library
Commission Computers in Libraries
2008
Integrating RSS into Your Web site Part 3:
Creating Feeds
How do I create a feed?
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Hand-rolledYou type the markup and the content
Semi-automatedYou type the content, software generates the markup.
Fully-automatedYou put the content in your blog and software generates a feed based on that content.
FeedSpring
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FeedSpring
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FeedSpring
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FeedSpring
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FeedSpring
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FeedSpring
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FeedSpring
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FeedSpring
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LimitationsLocal installation limits mobility and posters
to a single computer.No built-in FTP. Must transfer the .xml file to
the server manually.Still in beta (but what isn’t these days?)
ListGarden
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ListGarden
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ListGarden
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ListGarden
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ListGarden
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ListGarden
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LimitationsDepending of type of server installed on, may
not be secure. (i.e. no passwords on cgi-bin directories.)
Feedity
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Feedity
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Feedity
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Feedity
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Feedity
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Feedity
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LimitationsWorks better on some Web pages than on
others.
NotesBe sure to take advantage of the refine feature
for more accurate results.
page2rss
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page2rss
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page2rss
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page2rss
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page2rss
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LimitationsGenerally works better than Feedity but has no
ability to refine the results.
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Limitations140 characters per post
Google Calendar
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Google Calendar
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Google Calendar
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Google Calendar
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Google Calendar
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LimitationsNone to speak of
BenefitsNow sync-able with OutlookCan also embed calendar into site
Feedmysearch
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Feedmysearch
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Feedmysearch
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Feedmysearch
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Feedmysearch
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LimitationsNone to speak of
Michael SauersTechnology Innovation
LibrarianNebraska Library
Commission Computers in Libraries
2008
Integrating RSS into Your Web site Part 4:
Republishing Feeds
Integrating feed content into your Web site
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Grab content from multiple RSS feedsReduce and/or mash itRepublish it on your site
Feed2JS
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Feed2JS
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Feed2JS
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Feed2JS
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Feed2JS
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Feed2JS
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LimitationsThird party
(but you can download and install it on your own server which is recommended)
feed.informer
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feed.informer
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feed.informer
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feed.informer
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feed.informer
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feed.informer
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FeedDigest
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feed.informer
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feed.informer
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feed.informer
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LimitationsThird party service.Limited to five feeds in free version.
Scrolling RSS News Ticker
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Scrolling RSS News Ticker
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Scrolling RSS News Ticker
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Scrolling RSS News Ticker
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Scrolling RSS News Ticker
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LimitationsThird partyShows small advertisement
RSS Scrollbox Widget
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RSS Scrollbox Widget
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RSS Scrollbox Widget
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RSS Scrollbox Widget
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RSS Scrollbox Widget
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LimitationsThird partyShows small advertisement
Ad free, local-hosted version available for $35.
Grazr
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Grazr
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Grazr
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Grazr
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Grazr
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Grazr
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LimitationsThird party
Michael SauersTechnology Innovation
LibrarianNebraska Library
Commission Computers in Libraries
2008
Integrating RSS into Your Web site Part 5:
Advanced Feed Manipulation
IM Feeds
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IM Feeds
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IM Feeds
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IM Feeds
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IM Feeds
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IM Feeds
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LimitationsIMs tend to come in without any formatting.
i.e. a single large block of text.Seems to randomly not like valid RSS feeds.
Pingie
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Pingie
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Pingie
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Pingie
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Pingie
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Pingie
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Pingie
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LimitationsDoesn’t like feedburner feeds
ZapTXT
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ZapTXT
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ZapTXT
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ZapTXT
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ZapTXT
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ZapTXT
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LimitationsCan’t handle feeds that require loginsSometimes reports a feed as “not valid” and
there’s nothing you can do about it.Searches on multiple keywords are “OR”
searches. “AND” searches don’t seem to be possible.
Mail2RSS
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Mail2RSS
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Mail2RSS
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Mail2RSS
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Mail2RSS
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LimitationsBloglines doesn’t like the RSS2.0 feeds, use
the 1.0 link insteadMail automatically deletes after seven daysFeeds are limited to 20 itemsPotential security issue when using Subscribe
with Bloglines bookmarklet(next slide)
Mail2RSS
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RssFwd
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RssFwd
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RssFwd
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RssFwd
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RssFwd
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RssFwd
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RssFwd
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LimitationsSome (including me) argue that converting
RSS to e-mail defeats the purpose of RSS.
Feed2Podcast
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Feed2Podcast
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Feed2Podcast
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Feed2Podcast
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Feed2Podcast
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LimitationsYour feeds are read by a computer generated
voice.Non-English words are not well supported.
FeedJournal
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FeedJournal
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FeedJournal
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FeedJournal
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FeedJournal
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FeedJournal
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FeedJournal
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LimitationsMust manually regenerate each issue
Contact information
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Michael [email protected]
http://travelinlibrarian.info/http://www.delicious.com/travelinlibrarian/
il2008/rss