What is RSS?

      .: Introduction

RSS is the next big step in Internet communications! RSS was first invented by Netscape to feed news, stories, and information to their subscribers. RSS uses XML code to constantly scan the contents of a website that is updated daily. These updates are broadcast usually in the form of a headline, article summary, and link to subscribers through a feed. To read the entire article, subscribers click on the link that is sent.

At present, the most common RSS feeds are typically used with news sites or blogs, although any website that updates its content regularly can use them to distribute information. Because you must subscribe to an RSS feed to receive it, you only get the content you ask for; unlike unwanted spam, pop-ups and email. Subscribing to a feed eliminates the need for you to visit the website to check on updated information. Compare this to the reading of your favorite newspaper. Every day you drive to the store to purchase the latest edition. But once you have a subscription, the newspaper is delivered to your mailbox without further intervention or inconvenience to you. But RSS feeds have one up; they're free!

By using the XML-based format, RSS feeds are not only readable on your computer, but can be displayed on PDA's, iPods, and cell phones as well. This and the realization of the convenience of up-to-the-minute information delivered directly to you are two reasons that RSS feeds are becoming more and more popular. When you incorporate specific RSS feeds into your course site, your students will have access to the precise information that you deem pertinent to your course.

Curious as to what an RSS feed looks like? Let's look at an example by clicking the 'Next Page' link.