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Understanding RSS in Japan

RSS (Really Simple Syndication or Rich Site Summary) allows websites to publish updates that users can subscribe to using an RSS aggregator or reader. An RSS feed contains the title and link to new content on a website and may include summaries. RSS benefits both readers and websites by allowing readers to easily keep up with updates from their favorite sites while saving time. Websites can use RSS to market to interested users without sending spam emails. To use RSS, users select an RSS reader, find RSS feeds on websites, and add them to their reader to receive automatic updates.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
39 views3 pages

Understanding RSS in Japan

RSS (Really Simple Syndication or Rich Site Summary) allows websites to publish updates that users can subscribe to using an RSS aggregator or reader. An RSS feed contains the title and link to new content on a website and may include summaries. RSS benefits both readers and websites by allowing readers to easily keep up with updates from their favorite sites while saving time. Websites can use RSS to market to interested users without sending spam emails. To use RSS, users select an RSS reader, find RSS feeds on websites, and add them to their reader to receive automatic updates.

Uploaded by

Alex Costa
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as TXT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Learning the Basics of RSS

What is RSS?
You probably have seen this three-letter acronym in the course of your internet
surfing. RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication or Rich Site Summary; syndicating
means republishing an article that comes from another source such as a website.

An RSS is a means of publicizing updates about websites. It may or may not include
a summary and photos of the latest posting. But those that provide summaries (thus
Rich Site Summary) allow users to skim through the article so that they could
decide later on if they want to access the website source. The RSS feed usually
contains the title of the update originating from the website. It is also usually
the link to the website source.

What are the benefits of RSS?


RSS gives benefits to both readers (users) and web publishers.
1. It gives you the latest updates.
Whether it is about the weather, new music, software upgrade, local news, or a new
posting from a rarely-updates site learn about the latest as soon as it comes out.

2. It saves on surfing time.


Since an RSS feed provides a summary of the related article, it saves the user�s
time by helping s/he decide on which items to prioritize when reading or browsing
the net.

3. It gives the power of subscription to the user.


Users are given a free-hand on which websites to subscribe in their RSS aggregators
which they can change at any time they decide differently.

4. It lessens the clutter in your inbox.


Although your email address will be required to enjoy the services of online RSS
aggregators, RSS does not use your email address to send the updates.

5. It is spam free.
Unlike email subscriptions, RSS does not make use of your email address to send
updates thus your privacy is kept safe from spam mails.

6. Unsubscribing is hassle-free.
Unlike email subscriptions where the user is asked questions on why s/he is
unsubscribing and then the user would be asked to confirm unsubscribing, all you
have to do is to delete the RSS feed from your aggregator.

7. It can be used as an advertising or marketing tool.


Users who subscribe or syndicate product websites receive the latest news on
products and services without the website sending spam mail. This is advantageous
to both the web user and the website owner since advertising becomes targeted;
those who are actually interested in their products are kept posted.

What are the drawbacks of RSS?


The disadvantages of RSS use are brought about by its being a new technology and
some user-preference concerns.
1. Some users prefer receiving email updates over an RSS feed.

2. Graphics and photos do not appear in all RSS feeds.


For conciseness and ease of publication, RSS feeds do not display the photos from
the original site in announcing the update except for some web-based aggregators

3. The identity of the source website can be confusing.


Since RSS feeds do not display the actual URL or name of the website, it can
sometimes get confusing on what feed a user is actually reading.

4. Publishers cannot determine how many users are subscribed to their feed and
the frequency of their visits. Moreover, they would not know the reasons why users
unsubscribe which could be important in improving their advertising.

5. RSS feeds create higher traffic and demands on the server.


Most readers still prefer the whole update over a brief summary of the entry, thus
they still access the site.

6. Since it is a new technology, many sites still do not support RSS.

How do I start using RSS?


There are two things needed: an RSS feed and an RSS aggregator or reader. The RSS
feed comes from an RSS-supported website. There are also websites that provide a
list of RSS feeds of different websites. An RSS aggregator is used to read the RSS
feed from the source website. It scans and collects data on latest RSS feeds from
the worldwide web.

An aggregator comes in two forms: a downloadable program also known as desktop


aggregator and an online or web-based aggregator. Downloadable aggregators may
require payment before they can be acquired, while internet-based aggregators are
usually free of charge. All you need to do is to register an account then you are
ready to use their services. Both versions allow you to customize or choose which
RSS feeds to enter. Paid aggregators are usually chosen by more experienced users
and they usually allow more freedom in customizing feeds.

1. Choose an RSS aggregator to use. For beginners, web-based aggregators are


recommended since they are usually user-friendly

2. Scan the homepage of your target website for the RSS or XML button. It
contains the RSS code you need to enter in the aggregator. Copy this code. Syndic8
provides a directory of websites that support RSS.

3. Paste the code (which contains the URL of the website) in your aggregator.
There is a space provided for pasting the code.

After you have done these three easy steps, you can start reading the RSS feeds
coming from the website. New postings appear as they are published real time at the
source website.

RSS and Internet Marketing

The original idea of RSS came from Netscape, where their intention is to provide a
means for users to customize their personal homepage to contain links to websites
that interest them, similar to bookmarking websites.

The application of RSS to internet marketing was an unforeseen development to RSS


technology developers. Since users are given the freedom to add RSS feeds to their
aggregators, those who are interested in particular products and services available
in the internet can now be notified real time. Marketing becomes more specific to
interested people and not a hit-and-miss operation.

Those who intend to use RSS for marketing their products and services should
consider linking up with email account providers, (e.g. Yahoo, MSN, Google mail);
networking websites (e.g. Friendster, Multiply, My Space, Hi5); websites of
newspapers and television network websites (e.g. New York Times, CNN) for medium to
big-scale companies. Small-time industries can also look into networking websites
as well as personal blog websites (e.g. Blogspot) and websites of clubs and
organizations that would probably make use of their products or services e.g. a
fishing supplies store can look for the website of their local fishing club for
possible RSS marketing.

Clearly, RSS is an innovation in information management in the worldwide web as


well as online marketing. We can expect better RSS technology in the not-so-distant
future as its popularity increases among users and website owners alike.

Common questions

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Higher traffic demands due to RSS feeds increase server loads as users frequently access short summaries, prompting visits for full content . This can strain server resources, leading to slower load times or downtime. Strategies to mitigate this include optimizing server performance by using content delivery networks (CDNs) to distribute the load, implementing caching solutions to reduce repeated data requests, and leveraging scalable cloud hosting services that adjust resources dynamically based on incoming traffic levels . Additionally, monitoring analytics to predict peak traffic times can help in resource allocation planning to maintain performance and stability .

Some users might prefer traditional email updates over RSS feeds because they are accustomed to email as a familiar medium for receiving updates. Additionally, email updates often include comprehensive content without requiring users to visit another platform . Furthermore, as RSS is a newer technology, not all users may be comfortable or familiar with setting up and using RSS aggregators, leading to a preference for the simpler process of receiving updates via email .

A beginner should start by choosing an RSS aggregator, with web-based options being more user-friendly for new users . The process involves scanning target websites for the RSS or XML button to obtain the necessary RSS code . This code is then pasted into the aggregator, allowing the user to view RSS feeds as soon as new articles are posted . An aggregator is essential, and beginners may prefer free web-based options over paid downloadable programs .

RSS feeds facilitate targeted online marketing by allowing users to subscribe only to feeds that interest them, thus ensuring that marketing efforts reach a specific and interested audience . This contrasts with conventional advertising, which often follows a hit-and-miss approach, reaching a broader, less targeted audience who may not be interested in the advertised products or services . By linking with various platforms such as email providers and networking websites, marketers can efficiently reach users who are likely to benefit from their products and services .

RSS feeds reduce clutter by eliminating the need for updates to be sent via email, which can fill an inbox quickly, and enhance privacy by not requiring a user to provide their email address to receive updates . This separation also ensures that users are not targets for spam mail, a common issue with email-based subscriptions where user emails are at risk of being harvested for unsolicited spam . The ability to freely manage subscriptions without cumbersome confirmation processes further simplifies and secures the user experience .

The ability for users to customize RSS feeds to receive real-time notifications on products and services they are interested in was an unforeseen development . This innovation transformed RSS into a tool for highly specific and efficient marketing, connecting businesses with genuinely interested consumers without excessive or irrelevant advertising . This development has expanded RSS’s role in marketing, prompting businesses to integrate RSS feeds with various platforms to maximize reach and engagement with targeted audiences .

Beginners often prefer web-based RSS aggregators because they are generally easier to use and do not require any software installation, making them more accessible to users unfamiliar with technical setups . Web-based aggregators are typically free and only require simple account registration, which contrasts with downloadable aggregators that may require purchase and offer more complex customization options suited to experienced users . Moreover, web-based aggregators can be accessed from any device with internet connectivity, offering more flexibility than desktop solutions tied to a single computer .

RSS feeds offer several advantages over traditional email updates, including providing the latest updates in real time and saving time by offering summaries of articles . Unlike email updates, RSS feeds are spam-free, do not clutter the inbox, and subscribing or unsubscribing is hassle-free . Moreover, users can choose which websites to subscribe to without revealing their email addresses, maintaining their privacy .

One of the main challenges is that publishers cannot easily track the number of subscribers to their feeds or gather reasons for unsubscribes, which limits their ability to tailor content and improve their marketing strategies based on user feedback . Furthermore, as graphics and photos are often not included in RSS feeds, the visual appeal of content could be diminished, affecting engagement . The confusion about the source's identity due to missing URLs can also disrupt users' understanding of the content's origin, potentially affecting how they perceive and interact with advertisements .

The lack of universal support for RSS limits its effectiveness as a widespread content delivery technology because users may find many of their preferred sites do not provide RSS feeds, thereby reducing the overall utility of RSS aggregators in consolidating all desired content updates in one place . This incomplete adoption can make RSS less appealing compared to more universally supported technologies like email subscriptions, potentially slowing its growth and integration into newer web services .

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