Is Your Site Ready For The Coming RSS Revolution?


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

If you're like the average surfer or computeruser (you're probably scratching your head) whatthe 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 orhtml. 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 differencethat makes it such a revolutionary element. It changes how information is transmitted on the web, it sendsout or syndicates a site's contents. Don't cometo us, we will deliver.

Surfers can view the contents of your site withoutactually having to go to your site! RSS is usually associated with Blogs and Blogging because Blogsuse RSS Feeds to syndicate its 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 paya 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 ComputerCompanies gearing up for the coming RSS revolution!Perhaps, the most significant and revolutionary isMicrosoft's Longhorn announcement that the nextversion of Windows will have RSS integrated notonly into its browser but also into their operatingsystem.

This will place RSS firmly into the heart of yourcomputing experience. It will change how you usethe Internet and it will change how you use yourcomputer. 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 fundingin the developing technology of RSS. What's arevolution without fuel!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 universeas 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 forRSS. 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, thisrevolution is very easy to join. Here's a few quick pointers.

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

But blogs are just one area of RSS, make sure you haveGoogle Sitemaps set up on your site. If you need helpwith this procedure click here: 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 RSSon your site: 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?

To Put RSS On Your Site Within Minutes - Visit This Link:
RSS and Blogging Guide

Copyright © 2005 Titus Hoskins
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