Help on RSS...

[Cacatuoides]

Hi guys,

Appreciate if anyone can tell me more about usage of RSS and how I can use it for my blog? Thanks

[vinz]

Basically, RSS is just a URL. When you access the URL, the server at the other end gives you some data usually in the form of XML. You can then display the data on your webpage, like a blog.

Depends on which blog software you are using. Wordpress has built in Widgets that just require you to provide the URL. Blogspot does not and requires you to write (or cut and paste) some code into your blog template. I'm not familiar with the rest, but the instructions are usually in their help files.

Which blogger are you using?

Incidently, AQ does have an RSS feed. It feeds out the latest posts. You can add parameters to the RSS to include or exclude recent posts from specific forums.

[Cacatuoides]

I'm using blogspot.....there's this "add new page element" where I can enter the rss url thats all....does it help in automation?

[vinz]

If they have a specific place for you to add an RSS, then just use that. I assume that is in Blogger BETA? In the old Blogger, a lot of manual work had to be done.

[Cacatuoides]

Yes...its the new blogger beta...I just added in 2 RSS url...lets see what happens, thanks vincent!!

[benny]

What's the blog name? Maybe Vinz can help you look at it.

Cheers,

[Cacatuoides]

cool benny, its http://skinnymuscles.blogspot.com

The bottom 2 are the results of me entering the rss url in the given feature of blogger thanks so much!!

[vinz]

Anyway, a little late, but I just checked it out (yes, I have a secret blog. ). Add Element, choose feeds, type in the URL, and click 'Save Changes'.

If anyone wants to test, you can try AQ's feed (shameless plug).
http://www.aquaticquotient.com/forum/external.php?type=rss2

[Cacatuoides]

Thats means it is the correct one to put in the rss url and it works?

[vinz]

If you are asking if 'Feed' is the correct one, then yes.

[Cacatuoides]

Thanks vincent!! So do we always have to post new articles or it will automate by itself? Sorry, I'm a newbie in this.....please bear with me

Thanks for sharing your knowledge!!

[vinz]

It's automated. Different sites have different strategies to do this. Some follow the timing indicated in the feed, some have their own frequency, some read the feed whenever someone accesses your blog. Blogger should be doing the one of the first two.

The third method is frowned upon as it generates unnecessary traffic on the internet, and excess loads on the feed server and server (blogger in your case) reading the feed.

[Cacatuoides]

In the case of blogger or blogspot? which automation method are they using?

[vinz]

It's automated. Different sites have different strategies to do this. Some follow the timing indicated in the feed, some have their own frequency, some read the feed whenever someone accesses your blog. Blogger should be doing the one of the first two.

...

Blogger will kill themselves if they used the third one.