Article printed from SiteProNews: http://www.sitepronews.com
  HTML version available at: http://www.sitepronews.com/archives.html

Is Your Site Ready For The Coming RSS Revolution? 
By Titus Hoskins (c) 2005

Recently, there have been many developments in the RSS arena.
Changes that will make RSS a major force on the web and a
dominant contributing factor to your computing experience.
Online marketers should pay special attention to the RSS
wildcard in any future marketing ventures.

If you're like the average surfer or computer user - you're
probably scratching your head - what the heck is RSS? Never
heard of it?

'RSS' stand for 'Really Simple Syndication' and its original
acronym stood for 'Rich Site Summary'. RSS is basically just a
simple code like xml or html. Truth be told, many surfers who
use the web every day probably never heard of html either.

However, there is one very important distinction you should
realize about RSS - one fundamental difference that makes it
such a revolutionary element. It changes how information is
transmitted on the web, it sends out or syndicates a site's
contents. Don't come to us, we will deliver.

Surfers can view the contents of your site without actually
having to go to your site! RSS is usually associated with Blogs
and Blogging because Blogs use RSS Feeds to syndicate their
contents.

Why all the fuss? Why is RSS so revolutionary?

Basically, in a very simple and practical way, RSS changes 'HOW'
information is exchanged on the web. It changes how content is
accessed, instead of the surfer visiting websites and getting
the information; with RSS a site's information is sent or
syndicated to all interested parties.

RSS has the potential to change every website on the net into
its own mini-broadcasting system. Sending out videos
(broadcatching) and audio feeds (podcasting) to those you have
subscribed to receive this information.

Websites can now go from being a 'static' force, just sitting
there waiting for visitors to come pay a visit; to a more
pro-active broadcasting force, sending out content, news and
information. The implications may be enormous and far reaching.

Already, we see some major Internet and Computer Companies
gearing up for the coming RSS revolution! Perhaps, the most
significant and revolutionary is Microsoft's Longhorn
announcement that the next version of Windows will have RSS
integrated not only into its browser but also into their
operating system.

This will place RSS firmly into the heart of your computing
experience. It will change how you use the Internet and it will
change how you use your computer. If that wasn't enough,
Microsoft's new list extensions to the RSS standard will be
under the 'Creative Commons License'.

There is even a group offering $100 million in RSS venture
capital funding. Based in Cambridge, Massachusetts - RSS
Investors will offer funding in the developing technology of
RSS. What's a revolution without fuel!
http://www.news.zdnet.com/2100-9588_22-5778367.html

Another Internet company you may have stumbled upon while
surfing, is also gearing up for RSS. Google is already using an
xml powered sitemaps system to help it index the whole Internet.
Webmasters, can use xml to keep their websites constantly
updated in Google.

A while back, Google also bought Blogger.com which is an online
blogging system (Personal web logs or journals where people give
their take on the state of the universe as they see it!) that
also takes advantage of syndicated feeds to distribute its
content.

Google is already going 'head-to-head' with Microsoft in the
'desktop battleground' with the release of Google Desktop 2.
Google is also finally accepting the RSS standard by placing it
in the Sidebar feature - users can personalize this sidebar with
their own RSS and Atom Feeds. In the past, the Atom syndication
standard was favored and promoted by Google.

These are just two companies that are gearing up for RSS. There
are millions more who are starting to use RSS feeds to broadcast
their message, product or content. RSS is a marketer's dream.
The opportunities to advertise, promote and sell your products
with RSS are endless. More and more businesses are just
realizing the enormous potential of RSS. Real estate, insurance,
tourist industry...

So what about you? Do you run a website? Are you geared up for
RSS? Are you taking advantage of RSS?

If you haven't joined the RSS bandwagon, don't worry, this
revolution is very easy to join. Here's a few quick pointers.

First, set up a blog and RSS feed for your site. This can be
done within a few minutes with a no-cost system like Blogger.com
which is owned by Google. You can even host this blog on your
own site. Another system that offers more options is the free
'wordpress' blogging system. Find more out about it here:
http://www.wordpress.org

But blogs are just one area of RSS. Make sure you have Google
Sitemaps set up on your site. If you need help with this
procedure click here:
http://www.bizwaremagic.com/Google_Sitemaps_Explained.htm

There are other simple and easy ways to use RSS on your site.
Tags, content feeds, RSS search... Click here for further help
on the different ways you can use RSS on your site:
http://www.ezinearticles.com/?id=14366

Get your site ready, don't delay. The RSS revolution is already
started.

Microsoft and Google are just two companies that are taking
advantage of RSS. You should follow their lead and start gearing
up your site for RSS if you haven't already. The benefits are
enormous and the consequences of not having or using RSS could
be crippling to any online concern. With or without you, RSS
will change the web and the way we use our personal computers.
However, this is one revolution you definitely should consider
joining. The stakes are just too high and besides, what's a
revolution without you?

Editorial Note: For additional information on RSS, read these
articles:

Everybody's Talking About RSS
(http://www.sitepronews.com/archives/2004/feb/9.html)

15 Ways To Read An RSS Feed
(http://www.sitepronews.com/archives/2004/jul/23.html)

Steps to Creating and Promoting RSS Feeds
(http://www.sitepronews.com/archives/2005/apr/15.html)

The RSS Promise for Internet Users
(http://www.sitepronews.com/archives/2005/july/13.html)

================================================================
To Put RSS On Your Site Within Minutes - Visit the: RSS and
Blogging Guide (http://www.bizwaremagic.com/RSS/Lead_Capture_Page.htm)
Copyright © 2005 Titus Hoskins. This article may be freely
distributed if this resource box stays attached. Get a Free
Desktop Calendar & Planner
(http://www.bizwaremagic.com/Free_Desktop_Calendar.htm)
compliments of the Author and DATEwise.
================================================================

Copyright © 2005 Jayde Online, Inc.  All Rights Reserved.

SiteProNews is a registered service mark of Jayde Online, Inc.