RSS - or what is now known as “Really Simple Syndication” - is a file format that is incorporated by Internet users in their websites to allow for ‘web syndication’, making their web content available in a format that can be universally understood by other people.

In essence, RSS is a ‘mini database’ that contains headlines and descriptions (a summary or a line or two of the full article) of your web content, including hyperlinks that enable users to link back to the full article of their choice.

RSS websites - that is, websites that contain RSS ‘feeds’ (articles or postings) - typically have colorful graphics to indicate to users that the specific web content is available through RSS feeds. These graphics are usually depicted by orange rectangles that are usually marked with ‘RSS’ or ‘XML’.

With its increased popularity, RSS is now being adopted and used by more website owners or publishers. Today, numerous resources are now available that aid Internet surfers (and even beginners as well) on how to set up and use RSS.

Setting up RSS feeds and adding them to your website can be a simple process that does not involve a lot of time or any money. Listed below are some simple and basic steps that you might want to follow:

1. Have your web content and/or news in an RSS feed format, such as XML (appropriate and ‘ready-made’ feeds are also available from other sources).

2. Click the orange graphic - this is the RSS feed icon. Take note of the URL of the RSS feed; this will be displayed in the address bar (for Internet Explorer).

3. Input the feed URL on your RSS feed creation program.

4. Click on the “Generate Feed” button. This will generate the RSS code for your web content.

5. Enter the RSS code in the appropriate place on your own website.

Having created an RSS feed for your website, next comes the task of publishing your web content and news and having them displayed on other sites and headline viewers. This is made possible with the use of RSS readers or aggregators.

RSS readers or news aggregators are used to view particular web contents. RSS readers contain the collection of ‘feeds’ or RSS files from content providers, and they are generally classified into 3 types:

·    Desktop RSS readers - also known as standalone desktop application, they generally ‘run’ in the background and are similar to an e-mail client, collecting the feeds and refreshing items automatically as they are updated.

·    Web-based aggregators - these are online services that enable users to personalize web pages, refreshing them each time the page is accessed or each time a person logs in to the service.

·    Plug-in aggregators/readers - these make use of either web browsers or e-mail clients, which allow users to view RSS feeds while inside an existing program.

Having an RSS-enabled website provides Internet users (especially those who are website owners) with the following benefits:

·    Allows users to generate up-to-date news and postings, as information and content in the RSS readers or aggregators are automatically updated each time the RSS feed is ‘refreshed’.

·    Allows users to have control over the information that they wish to view or receive, as they can remove a feed of their choosing any time they want to.

Aside from these benefits, RSS websites are also useful for people who conduct their business in the Internet, particularly in Internet or Online Marketing. RSS can be an effective marketing tool for your website, especially in the following fields:

·    E-mail marketing and publishing
·    Search engine marketing and optimization
·    Business blogging
·    Internet advertising
·    Digital public relations
·    Branding and e-commerce

In addition, RSS can ‘power’ your website, providing you with the following:

·    Valuable, updated, and relevant resources for site visitors and potential clients - RSS is ideal for websites that contain (and syndicate) a lot of information that has to be changed or updated regularly.

·    Search engine optimization for the website.

·    Increased traffic for the website - your website can ‘harvest’ and display information from other sites, driving more traffic to your own website.

·    A wide selection of ‘channels’ for content distribution, such as PDA’s, cellular phones, voice mails, and email ticklers.

·    A reliable way to have your web content delivered to Internet users and potential clients - RSS ensures that your site is viewed by the people who are interested in them, without having them blocked and ‘cleaned’ by ISPs or Spam filters.

These are just some of the advantages that RSS can give your website (and your business). The possibilities are endless, as more and more comes up almost everyday. Do not be left behind - take the advantage of the marketing and publishing power 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.

If you’re on the Internet, you need protection. Viruses and spyware can destroy/steal data and destroy your machine. You have to keep your machine in tip-top condition and Webroot can help do that.

Webroot’s Desktop Firewall provides proactive, multi-layer protection against unauthorized attempts to access your computer and personal data. This powerful two-way protection “learns” what should and should not be allowed based on your normal activity – which means less effort for you to maximize your protection. Based on your profile, it blocks any unusual attempts to access your computer or run programs without your knowledge. Users can also customize their security with rules to restrict or allow any program.

 The crew over at ThinkSecret is banging the drums, sounding the alarm…is it an attack? Nope, its a touchscreen I-pod. Maybe

*The new iPod will feature similar dimensions to Apple’s iPhone with which it will share the same display, but sources except the iPod to continue to sport a hard drive in place of Flash memory. Solid state media commands a roughly 15-fold price premium per gigabyte over a 1.8-inch hard drive, which is now available in substantial quantities at capacities up to 120GB*

Don’t get too excited yet, according to Thinksecret.com the official information will be out tomorrow on this new addition to the I-pod family

     Printing is just about take a whole new meaning. Imagine downloading plans for a toy, maybe even something like a StarWars figure to your computer, pressing ‘print’ and instead of a sheet of paper with a picture coming out, the actual object is made right there for you. Sounds pretty cool huh? Well thats what the idea with the Desktop Factory printer. The Desktop Factory (made by Desktop Factory Inc) printer melts small pieces of plastic, nylon and alumunim to create objects. The list price on this little number is $4995.

The technology is new, but this is the first time is being offered to the general public
http://www.desktopfactory.com/

Google gPhone rumours quashed

Tim Ferguson, Silicon.com

10 September 2007 07:55 AM

Industry observers have questioned both the probability of Google launching a mobile device and the evidence behind the rumours.

Google is unlikely to launch a ‘Gphone’ mobile device because it doesn’t fit in with its business model, according to industry watchers.

The rumour mill went into overdrive after it was revealed Google had submitted a patent in the US for a mobile payment system — dubbed “Gpay”.

But Vincent Poulbere, principal analyst at Ovum, warned against making assumptions about a direct link between the two. “I do not see a direct relationship between mobile payment and the Google phone. For me there is no link between Gphone and Gpay,” he said.

Poulbere said the mobile-payment patent submission is more likely to be an extension of Google’s online payment service, Google Checkout, than a mobile phone.

He added: “I think it’s a tough move for Google to go into the device market.”

Thomas Husson, analyst at JupiterResearch, agreed. “I don’t think the two issues [Gpay and Gphone] are directly related,” he said.

Husson said that, because Google is essentially an advertising company, the extent to which a mobile phone would fit into its business model is questionable. “[Google's] interest today is to have its applications embedded on as many phones as possible. Google is really a platform company,” he said.

But Husson suggested “it wouldn’t be much of a surprise” if a Google phone emerged, particularly as the company has expressed interest in acquiring radio spectrum in the US that could be used for a mobile network.

In a statement regarding the “Gpay” mobile-payment patent, Google said: “We file patent applications on a variety of ideas that our employees come up with. Some of those ideas later mature into real products or services, some don’t. Prospective product announcements should not necessarily be inferred from our patent applications.”

Google declined to comment on the speculation around the Gphone.

From ZdnetAustralia

     This doesnt really have anything to do with SEO or building income with a website as the rest of this site is directed. But this is just damn cool. Soon companies that want to join the space race, will have a terminal to launch thier space busses, sending private citizens on a tour of Earth, and the stars. In 2008, in Las Cruces N.M. construction will begin on Spaceport America.

     A U.S.-British team consisting of URS Corp and Foster + Partners have revealed plans for a 100,000 sq. ft. hanger that will be part of the world’s first port built specifically for commercial space travel

If you want to check out their site, click here

     Like the I-Phone could get any better? Yes, it can. The hard working hackers of the world have come up with an NES emulator for your I-Phone. What does that mean to you? NES games on your I-Phone (such as Mario). Here’s a quick Youtube video so you can enjoy all that I-Phone Goodness!

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has decided to abandon net neutrality and allow telecoms companies to charge websites for access.

The FTC said in a report that, despite popular support for net neutrality, it was minded to let the market sort out the issue.

This means that the organisation will not stand in the way of companies using differential pricing to make sure that some websites can be viewed more quickly than others. The report also counsels against net neutrality legislation.

“This report recommends that policy makers proceed with caution in the evolving dynamic industry of broadband internet access, which is generally moving towards more, not less, competition,” FTC chairman Deborah Platt Majoras wrote.

“In the absence of significant market failure, or demonstrated consumer harm, policy makers should be particularly hesitant to enact new regulation in this area.”

The report has caused outrage in the online community. Many are worried that any abandonment of net neutrality will harm competition, since it will allow big companies to outspend start-ups.

“Mostly the FTC suggests ways that the telephone and cable companies could have new ways to make money from content and applications providers,” said Art Brodsky, of internet advocacy group Public Knowledge.

“Or lower-income subscribers could be charged lower prices, subsidised by ‘prioritization revenues’ much as supported email services now provide free email accounts. Nowhere is there discussion of what the consumer gets out of the deal.”

      Now, if you havent been paying attention, Net Neutrality was/is an issue about access. With Net Neutrality in place, everyone has equal access to the Internet and the information on the Internet. With the FTC dropping its support of Net Neutrality, now the ‘big wheels’ on the internet, such as Google, Yahoo, AOL, will have the opportunity to basically pay so that their content gets to you faster than the average mom and pop website. The heavy hitters will have the ability to pay to make sure that their content is given priority through your ISP to get to you. So your gaming, your bit-torrents, your file downloads will have their bandwith somewhat throttled back so that you can get those fresh new ads from AOL, or so your Yahoo Toolbar will be able to make its oh so important conections back to their content servers to bring you all those bright and shiny buttons on your toolbar that you probably dont use anyway, if you even have it installed at all.

     In short, this is not a good thing for the consumer. Be prepared for a ruckus on the Internet, when people realize that their Internet enjoyment is now being choked down so that the admakers of the world can have better access to shove their shit down your throat, people will not be happy. I hope that people DO wake up and not just stick their head back in WoW and hope it all goes away or that someone else does the work for them.

If you need to do a little reading to catch up, here ya go:
Wikipedia on Net Neturality
Hands Off

Iphone Iphone Iphone. It’s all people are talking about. The IPhone is released today and like the release of any other must have electronic, lines formed last night to get one.

     Lines formed as early as late Thursday night at the Apple store in New York, with the first in line there a full 109 hours before the actual release, to be sure to secure his place in cellphone history.

     To illustrate the ripple effect of this product:

• Searches for information on the IPhone on the Internet have caused a noticeable spike in search engine traffic providing a boost of 6.9 million queries on the Iphone this year
• 274 thousand searches per week in 2007.
• In the week after Jobs unveiled the iPhone at the Macworld Expo, 1.1 million searches for information on the device were performed.
• That week was second only to the week of 24 June, when iPhone madness sparked more than 1.2 million searches.
• The searches also generated more than 7.8 million click-throughs. Some 2.3 million of these went to Apple, while gadget sites Engadget and Gizmodo each enjoyed more than 270,000 click-throughs from iPhone related searches. 
• Among the most popular terms for the search were ‘iPhone price’ and ‘iPhone release date’.
• Profiteers offer $1000 to stand in line for people to purchase an iPhone
• Playboy.com has already launched the iPlayboy channel just for the iPhone.
• Phishing sites have already become fully opertional sending out emails to get people to register for their ‘Free iphone’

God I love the smell of capitalism in the morning.