What will I learn?
1. Explore how to use RSS feeds.
2. Explore ways that RSS can be applied.
Watch this
Google Reader In Plain English (1:05)
Add RSS Feeds to Bloglines (1:15)
- CNET Video: RSS – Feel the Need for Feeds (3:32) – a good over view of what RSS is and the benefits to users
Read this
Using RSS, newsreaders and subscriptions
Aggregators reduce the time and effort needed to regularly check websites for updates, creating a unique information space or “personal newspaper.” Once subscribed to a feed, an aggregator is able to check for new content at user-determined intervals and retrieve the update. (from Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/News_aggregator)
Examples of RSS or Feed readers:
- Google Reader
- Bloglines
- List of others (from Wikipedia)
Good introductory videos about Newsreaders and subscriptions include:
- Feed Me: A gentle introduction to Internet feeds - a good tutorial from Palinet, a library cooperative
- Using Bloglines Tutorial (how to keep up with dozens of blogs everyday) – This online tutorial walks you through how to setup a Bloglines account and add newsfeeds. Follow Steps 1 to 3 to set up your Bloglines account. Steps 4 – 9 are optional and cover how to subscribe to different types of feeds (podcasts, Flickr albums, etc)
- Additional Bloglines news feed subcription information (screenshot image)
Explore this
Explore the resources above to learn more about RSS and newsreaders.
Create a free online Bloglines or Google Reader account for yourself and subscribe to at least 10 newsfeeds to your reader.
See Using Bloglines Tutorial steps 1-3 for instructions.Newsfeeds:
- Everyone who created a Blog in ‘Thing 6′ can add the URL to the ‘Comments’ section at the bottow of that page: http://community.zu.ac.ae/blogs/category/06-blogging-at-zu/
- Now others can subscribe to several of your co-workers’ feeds. This is as easy as typing the blog URL into the subscribe field in Bloglines. Try it, it’s easy!
- Then try adding a few other types of news feeds from news sources and other interesting sources:
(Select at least 3 from the list below to subscribe to)
- BBC News - check the very helpful BBC Info section all about how to add feeds from their website
- Reader’s Club new review feeds
- Unshelved - Library cartoon feed
Add any other excellent sources of feeds to the ‘Comments’ section below!
Look at this
RSS has been readily adopted to support library and research services. Libraries have endeavored to meet the information needs of their patrons by using RSS feeds to delivery relevant, important information to their readers. The goal is always the same, to provide information when it is asked for. RSS as a service enables a library to organize and deliver information in a format that is useful to its user. Here are some examples about how RSS is being used by libraries.
1. Finding and Using RSS with Research Resources and in Libraries
Research resources such as journal titles and databases are often now providing RSS feeds for information such as table of contents and publication announcements.
A reader may discover this fact when he or she is in a database and sees the common symbols indicating that an RSS feed is available.
This example from EBSCOHost’s Academic Search Premier (click on image below) shows how the EBSCOHost database environment allows you to create an RSS feed from your favorite search parameters.
Another example from EBSCOHost’s Academic Search premier (click on image below) shows how the EBSCOHost database environment provides RSS feeds for journal table of contents.
In addition to research resources such as journals and database, you will find RSS may support your local research needs such as new acquisition lists from the Library. Talk with your Library liaison to coordinate your needs with what we can provide for you.
Examples of RSS in use in research databases:
2. Using RSS in the Classroom
Student research benefits directly from staying in touch with new information both about the classroom as well as primary research resources. If you had a blog for your class, you could use the blog software’s RSS feed technology to keep everyone in touch with changes to the schedule, due dates for assignments and collaborative initiatives such as updates about group projects and project presentations.
What do I have to do?
1. From your earlier assignment to create a blog (see 07 Create a Blog), explore how your blog provides RSS feeds
2. Take the RSS feed from your blog and add it to your Bloglines or Google Reader account created during 09 What is RSS?.
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