RSS (Really Simple Syndication) does not appear to be widely used, but it is a useful and efficient option when conducting regular searches for information online. This post discusses RSS from the user’s perspective.

Thanks to the volume of information available online, the Internet is a key resource for many of us who must keep up to date on new developments in our areas of interest. However, this wealth of information can make information gathering extremely time consuming. We might need to visit numerous websites, sometimes daily, or several times a week, to ensure that we are up to date on any new developments that have occurred. However, are we aware of that using RSS could make that job considerably easier?

What is RSS?

Most popular feed icon

“RSS” which officially means RDF (Research Description Framework) Site Summary, but is more commonly referred to Really Simple Syndication or Rich Site Summary, is a format for sharing frequently updated work or web content, such as that generated by blogs and news-related sites. Although other formats do exist, such as Atom, RSS is the most widely used.  The document generated by RSS, which is called a feed or channel, usually provides either an excerpt or the full version of the initially published text, along with some basic information, such as the author and publication date.

To read an RSS feed, software – an RSS reader or aggregator ­– is required. RSS readers tend to be automatically included in mail software, such as Microsoft Outlook, Eudora and Mac Mail. However, for those who use webmail, free aggregators are available. There are numerous readers and aggregators to choose from, but some of the most popular ones are:

Note: It is important to select a reputable reader or aggregator, as it is indeed possible for those programmes to contain spyware or other malicious code.

When should RSS be used?

It makes sense for users to subscribe for RSS feeds for websites they should (or would like to) visit on regularly. The ultimate point of RSS is to receive timely updates and to save the user from having to do the search-and-collate-work. Further, depending on the reader or aggregator used (particularly desktop, as opposed to online readers) all feed items will be listed, stored and available for viewing at time convenient to the user.

So what’s in it for me?

For the user, RSS offered a number of advantages:

  • Saves time. One of the most distinct benefits of using an RSS reader or aggregator is that it regularly checks all subscribed feeds and collates all updates. As a result, the user does not have to visit each website of interest and manually search for new content.
  • Provides spam-free content. RSS does not support spam, and neither can it carry viruses or trojans. It therefore is a safer option than newsletters or emails for receiving updates. Additionally, the user does not have to provide any personal information – not even an email address – to subscribe for a particular feed.
  • Increases productivity. This benefit is a natural consequence of not having to manually visit a site and search for updates. Additionally, depending on the reader or aggregator that is used, it may be possible to apply filters to the content collected, which further optimises the search and improves productivity.
  • Easy to subscribe and unsubscribe. Regardless of the reader or aggregator, subscribing for an RSS feed is straightforward. Similarly, it is easy to unsubscribe from receiving a particular feed.
  • Provides timely updates. RSS readers and aggregators regularly check for new posts on the subscribed feeds and automatically update themselves. As a result, subscribers receive information in a more timely fashion.

Possible disadvantages?

For the user, there are not necessarily many drawbacks from using RSS to collate information online. The most significant concern might be the fact that not all websites include an RSS facility, so it might still be necessary for users to visit those sites and conduct a manual search for new information, especially if other acceptable forms of notification are unavailable.

Additionally, since RSS feeds facilitate syndication, their contents can be easily copied or reproduced. Hence for persons who might need to provide references or citations for information used, e.g. in reports or other documentation, it can be difficult to discern the original source of an item delivered by RSS feed.

Final remarks

It is highlighted that through social media applications, such as Facebook and Twitter, users can receive real-time updates from their favourite websites. However, with both facilities (e.g.), there are no guarantees that all updates will be included in the user’s Facebook or Twitter newsfeed, where they can readily be seen. More importantly, since those feeds are constantly being updated, unless they are being checked frequently throughout the day (and night), it is possible that some notifications will be missed.

Finally, it is important to note that although RSS is indeed a time saving and extremely helpful resource, the user still has to read and/or sift through all of the information delivered by all of the feeds to which he/she is subscribed. As a result, a considerable amount of time can be spent reading updates. However, RSS does brings a wealth of information to the user’s fingertips, which in this day and age – in our information-driven business, societies and lives – can be a good thing.

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