#How To Utilize And Read RSS Feeds With An RSS Aggregator
Updated September 2016
RSS or Really Simple Syndication or Rich Site Summary is the latest information management tool that is gradually earning popularity among web users, website owners, and especially with work from home enthusiasts with their own online business.
With RSS technology, it is possible to get your latest postings out onto the internet very quickly But users clicking on your RSS or XML button is not enough to give them access to your feed. An RSS feed or code displayed in a pop-up screen if not on the main page is composed of symbols and words that would only make sense to advanced RSS users and computer programmers and software enthusiasts. Another software tool called an RSS aggregator or reader is needed by whoever wants access.
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An aggregator works by scanning the worldwide web with latest postings based on the RSS code (containing the website’s URL) provided or added by the user. When it finds a new posting, news, or update, it will publish the RSS feed on your home page containing the title of the posting, which also serves as a clickable link to the website source. This RSS feed may or may not contain the whole article, a summary, and photos, depending on what RSS aggregator is being used.
Paid and Unpaid Aggregators
Aggregators come in two types: the downloadable program or desktop-type and the online or web-based type. The desktop aggregator usually charges a certain amount for its services; this would include regular updating in the form of upgrades or patches to the original version. This type of RSS reader allows more customization of RSS feeds as well as page format or design over its on-line counterparts. But of course, price can be a drawback.
On-line or web-based aggregators are free of charge. All you need to do is register an account with them then you can start enjoying their services. Depending on the “brand” of the aggregator, customization is more limited. Some even do not allow you to customize at all.
Product and service advertisers are realizing the potential of RSS aggregators in internet marketing. In fact, several submit RSS codes to several popular web-based aggregators to reach the growing technophile and internet-based market. My Yahoo has been instrumental in popularizing RSS technology to both users and website owners and advertisers.
At present, there are many aggregators to choose from and newer versions of the same aggregator are constantly developed by its programmers.
Below are some of these desktop and online aggregators:
Desktop Aggregators
- AmphetaDesk
Advantages:
free
supports Linux, Mac, and Windows
easy addition of RSS feeds
Disadvantages:
not maximized use of screen display
few options for customizing
- FeedDemon
Advantages:
user friendly
free trial version
contains prepared popular feeds
allows filtering of RSS feeds
configurable “watch list” to manage junk RSS feeds
search channel feature that incorporates other RSS services e.g. Feedster
allows feed storage for future use
tabbed browsers for channel navigation
built-in podcast receiver
Disadvantages:
supports only Internet Explorer (embedded)
paid software ($29.95)
Online Aggregators
- Bloglines
Advantages:
all major browsers supported (e.g. Netscape Navigator, Internet Explorer, Firefox)
user-friendly especially for beginners
free, web-based aggregator
easy registration
no advertisements
contains its own directory of RSS feeds of thousands of websites
personal email account for subscribing to newsletter emails (optional)
allows privacy adjustments for personal blogs
allows saved searches
mobile version available
10 languages supported
Additional add-on tools for automated blogrolls and subscription buttons
- NewsGator
Advantages:
free (consumer-standard version)
provides personalized news channel
allows translation of RSS articles into email format
synchronization of feeds in several devices possible
browse and search feed capabilities save time on surfing
allows keyword filtering
blog headlines
button-click automatic subscription to news feeds
Disadvantage:
Outlook-based thus limited to Windows
- My Yahoo
Advantages:
Free web-based aggregator
user-friendly
customizable home page design
button-click subscription to RSS feeds
built-in directory and search tool for feeds
wide variety of feeds e.g. news (science, technology, local), weather
connects to all Yahoo features and services
Disadvantage
banner advertisements
There are also lightweight RSS aggregator extensions which are actually plug-ins to existing internet browsers. An example of which is Sage aggregator.
Advantages:
free of charge
beginner-friendly
reads both RSS and Atom feeds
allows feed discovery
can be assimilated to Firefox bookmark (storage and live)
allows OPML feed lists imports and exports
customizable style sheets
supports a wide range of locales e.g. Catalan, Italian, Japanese, Spanish, Korean, Polish, Slovenian, etc.
easy installation
Disadvantages:
good for about 12 RSS feeds
limited use to Mozilla-Firefox and Mozilla-Firefox supported browsers
RSS developers promise better features in future versions of their aggregators. Microsoft is planning to include a built-in aggregator in their next Windows version. These developments are definitely something to look forward to by all internet aficionados.
Now that you know what to do to get your website information out there onto the world wide web all you need is a website to put your articles or blogs promoting or selling whatever you want to earn an income from the internet and all from the comfort of your own home.
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If you want to you can leave a comment or use the Contact Me form and I will reply.
Thank you for reading my article and have a nice day.
Robert Allan
hello and thank you for visiting my site and leaving your comment.
Yes please return when I am sure you will find many interesting pieces of information to help you in your own endeavours.
Regards
Robert Allan
Hi Lizzie and thank you for visiting mt site and leaving your comment on my article about RSS Feeds – RSS Aggregators.
Please visit again and perhaps you will get more free meals lol.
Have a ice day.
Robert Allan
An impressive share! I have just forwarded this onto a colleague
who has been conducting a little homework on this. And he in fact bought me dinner simply because I found it for him… So let me reword this…. Thanks for the meal!!
But yeah, thanks for spending time to talk about this topic here
on your site.