Reading RSS Feeds with an RSS Aggregator

Written by Kelly D. Hermann Friday, 29 April 2011 05:54

RSS or Truly Easy Syndication or Rich Site Summary is the latest info management tool which is gradually earning popularity among web users and web site owners. With RSS technology, it is feasible to get the latest postings from your favorite web sites. But clicking on the RSS or XML button in a homepage just isn't enough to give you the service you require. An RSS feed or code displayed inside 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.

RSS or Truly Easy Syndication or Rich Site Summary is the latest info management tool which is gradually earning popularity among web users and web site owners. With RSS technology, it is feasible to get the latest postings from your favorite web sites. But clicking on the RSS or XML button in a homepage just isn't enough to give you the service you require. An RSS feed or code displayed inside 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 internet with newest 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 residence 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 pictures, depending on what RSS aggregator you might be using.

Aggregators come in two types: the downloadable program or desktop-type and also the on the web or web-based kind. The desktop aggregator typically charges a certain quantity for its services; this would include typical updating within the form of upgrades or patches to the original version. This type of RSS reader permits much more customization of RSS feeds along with page format or design over its on-line counterparts. But needless to say, price can be a drawback.

On-line or web-based aggregators are totally free of charge. All you have to do is register an account with them then you'll be able to begin enjoying their services. Depending on the "brand" of the aggregator, customization is a lot more limited. Some even don't allow you to customize at all.

Product and service advertisers are realizing the potential of RSS aggregators in web marketing. In fact, a number of submit RSS codes to numerous 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, you will find numerous aggregators to pick from and newer versions of the exact same aggregator are continually developed by its programmers.

Below are some of these desktop and on the web 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 edition - contains prepared popular feeds - allows filtering of RSS feeds - configurable "watch list" to manage junk RSS feeds - search channel characteristic that incorporates other RSS services e.g. Feedster - allows feed storage for potential 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 particularly for beginners - free, web-based aggregator - easy registration - no advertisements - contains its own directory of RSS feeds of thousands of web sites - personal email account for subscribing to newsletter emails (optional) - allows privacy adjustments for personal blogs - allows saved searches - mobile version obtainable - 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 a number of devices feasible - 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 Benefits: - 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 selection of feeds e.g. news (science, technology, local), weather - connects to all Yahoo features and services

Disadvantage - banner advertisements

You can find also lightweight RSS aggregator extensions which are really plug-ins to existing web browsers. An example of which is Sage aggregator.

Benefits: - 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 much better features in future versions of their aggregators. Microsoft is planning to contain a built-in aggregator in their next Windows version. These developments are certainly some thing to look forward to by all web aficionados.