|
Grab This 
*****************************************
|
"Everybody's Talking About RSS"
By http://MCPromotionsPress.com
No matter if you call it "Really Simple Syndication"
or "Rich Site Summary," RSS is definitely all the
rage right now online. With email filtering, IP
blocking and the newest "Can Spam Act," everyone's
scampering for a better way to get their messages
across to their subscribers.
With RSS, the customers don't have to come to your
website or open their inboxes to get your latest news
and updates. Once they subscribe to your "feed,"
the
news comes to them automatically. But wait; I'm
getting ahead of myself here. Let's get back to the
basics.
RSS is an XML based format that originated with
Netscape. To use RSS, you must first create what's
called a "feed." This is basically a file which
you
upload to your server. RSS feeds end with .rss
rdf or .xml extensions and can be created by hand.
An RSS file needs to include the headlines, links,
and summaries of the content you want to distribute.
Once a feed has been created, other computers can
subscribe to your "channel" and read your updates
using what's called an "Aggregator" or "news
reader."
Most feeds consist of a link with a short summary
to click on to read the entire article. To let
people know your site offers an RSS feed, you place
an orange XML icon on your site linked to the url
of your feed. You'll also want to list your feed
with various RSS search engines that exist just
for the purpose of collecting a database of feeds.
So what kinds of things can you turn into feeds?
I thought you'd never ask. Any area of your site
that changes on a regular basis is a good candidate.
Things like newsletters, news announcements, site
updates, anything that you update regularly.
If you have no idea how to create a feed, this
site will do it for you: http://MyRSS.com
.
Just type in the HTML page you wish to make a feed
from and it converts it to RSS for you automatically.
Another great tool that will create a RSS feed
for you is http://feedster.com/builder.php?next=cfintro
.
This works especially well if you need a feed of
your third party hosted Blog, for example Blogger.
There's also a script that will convert any HTML
doc into RSS -- Go to http://kalsey.com/tools/blogfeed/
.
If you'd like to validate your feed, you can do
so at http://feedvalidator.org
.
A News Reader is simply a software program that
brings what's new straight to you in an organized,
easy to read format.
Let's take a look at some of your options when
it comes to readers and what's available to you.
1) RSSReader: http://RssReader.com
Free; it collects news in the background and warns
you with a popup in your system tray when there's
new information available.
2) Ampheta Desk: http://AmphetaDesk.com
Free, cross platform aggregator.
3) WildGrape: http://WildGrape.net
For Windows; reads headlines from thousands of
sources. Free.
4) Sharp Reader: http://SharpReader.net
Free reader for the .Net Framework created by
Luke Hutteman
5) Newz Crawler: http://NewzCrawler.com
Web News Reader and browser. There's a two week
free trial. You can purchase it
for only $24.95.
6) Feed Demon: http://FeedDemon.com
Download a free trial or purchase for only $29.
Written by Nick Bradbury, creator of Top Style
and Hoesite. Feed Demon is loaded with great
features.
7) Feed Reader: http://FeedReader.com
Freeware; Windows app that supports all RSS
feeds and formats.
8) Blog Lines: http://Bloglines.com
A web based blog and newsfeed reader. No
software to install to read your feeds; just
visit the site and log into your account.
9) Awasu: http://Awasu.com
Free Windows news reader that integrates with
Internet Explorer.
10) Feed Readers: http://FeedReaders.com
Lockergnome's offering in the news reader field.
Seven day free trial. Two versions available: pro
or standard with pricing ranging from $5.00 to
$15.00.
If these options aren't enough, you'll want
to check out the full list of readers over at
http://www.lights.com/weblogs/rss.html
If you'd
like to have feeds sent directly to your inbox
instead of downloading a reader, check out
http://rss.blogstreet.com/asp-rssbin/auth_rss
Once you download a reader you need feeds to
subscribe to. Check out http://Syndic8.com
for
thousands of choices.
So now that you understand the technology, what are
the advantages and disadvantages of RSS? Here's a
big one: your subscribers don't have to give up their
email addresses, which is great for those with privacy
concerns. RSS puts control of subscriptions directly
in the hands of your users. When they wish to unsub-
scribe they just delete the feed from their reader.
It also reduces the risk of Spam accusations. If
you're an ezine publisher and you don't have to
worry about getting your messages past all of the
filters in place by users and ISP's.
The disadvantages are that you cannot include
personalization, and you have no way of knowing how
many people are subscribing to your feed. Also, at
this time, RSS may seem a bit complicated to the
novice user and it has not become widely adopted by
Web users.
If you haven't looked into RSS, now's the time to
consider this technology as another avenue for
reaching out to your website visitors, and keeping
them informed.
**********************************************
Merle http://www.EzineAdAuction.com
"Where some of the BEST Deals in Ezine Advertising are
Made"
Buy & Sell Ezine Ads in a live auction setting!
Publishers sell off your excess inventory and Buyers
pick up some Fantastic bargains. Free E-book on how to
write "glowing" ezine ads.....Download Now at
http://www.ezineadauction.com/ebooks/greatezineads.pdf
************************************************
Go Back Up
*****************************************
|
Dreamweaver FAQ
"DreamweaverFAQ.com offers a variety of tutorials,
answers to frequently asked questions, and is dedicated
to serving the Dreamweaver Community. Authors of
tutorials found on this site are all regular partic-
ipants of the Macromedia Dreamweaver Newsgroup."
http://www.dwfaq.com/
--------
FeedRoll
If you've been looking for some fr.e news feeds for
your site and have been coming up short you might
want to consider adding RSS feeds. This site let's
you paste in a RSS feed and even customize it
a bit then it spits out the Javascript code to paste
onto your website. Nice.
http://www.FeedRoll.com
---------
Easy Style
"EasyStyle is a custom application developed to aid
users in developing advanced Cascading Stylesheets
for their Html and ASP web sites quickly and Easily.
EasyStyle supports many advanced features for devel-
oping css files including quick stylesheet preview."
http://www.easyasp.org/about_easystyle.html
--------
CSS Help
"CSS (cascading stylesheets) is a simple mechanism for
controlling the style of a Web document without com-
promising its structure. By separating visual design
elements (fonts, colors, margins, and so on) from the
structural logic of a Web page, CSS give Web designers
the control they crave without sacrificing the integrity
of the data - thus maintaining its usability in multiple
environments."Learn everything you need to know about
CSS with WebMonkey.
Go Back Up
***********************************
Useful Tips
***********************************
Think you need to know CGI to get a form emailed
to you from your Website? Think again. This code
will send any form directly to your inbox.
.<form method="post" action=mailto:you@yourdomain.com
enctype="text/plain">
It might not be the prettiest but you should be
able to read it.
Domain Surfer
"DomainSurfer is the fastest domain name search engine
in the world.Its wild-card and drill-down search
mechanisms add unmatched flexibility and make Domain
Surfer a unique and powerful tool. It's a great resource
for those who are about to register a new domain for
themselves. Its ability to match partial names virtually
instantaneously make it an ideal brainstorming tool."
----------
Extreme Web Stats
Need to track your website visitors? If you
can't afford to pay for a high priced stats
service why not use this free one. Invisible
to your guests, no buttons or banners will
appear on your site and it's 100% fr&e.
---------
Banners & Covers
If you have a website sooner or later you're going
to need banners or ebook covers or maybe even a
software box cover. It's easier to sell intangible
items if you present something that looks like a
real product. Trust me on this. If you sell an ebook
you need a nice cover, use something bad looking
and watch your sales die a slow death. This site
does it all and their work looks excellent.
http://www.bannersandcovers.com/index2.php
Go Back Up
*****************************************
|
If you'd like to swap ads with this ezine please send your
requests to mailto:adswap@merlesworld.com
Please include
your ezine name and the number of subscribers.
-------------------
ATTENTION: Small Online Biz Owners!
If you're trying to market your Website and are not
sure where to turn, subscribe to MC Promotions Press
Newsletter and get the information you need to be a
success online. Sure-Fire Promotion/Marketing Tips.
Sites that will help you. Little known advertising
tricks.....and much more. Start increasing traffic
to your site Now http://www.MCPromotionsPress.com
Go Back Up
*****************************************
|
Action Verbs
When it comes to your resume and cover letter you
need to use plenty of action verbs. If you cut that
class or need some assistance in that department
you'll find a nice list you can pick from at this
site. Keep this for when it comes time to updating
and finding a new job.
http://writeexpress.com/action-verbs.html
---------
Internet Addiction
I just cant stop. Think you may be addicted to the
Internet? Take a test and find out. There's help
out there for you buddy, just keep on clicking.
--------
TaxAct
Want to do your taxes the easy way? Prepare & print
your federal tax return for free with TaxACT
Online Standard! You only pay $7.95 if you choose
to e-file. Plus, state returns only $7.95 to print
and/or e-file.
--------
Mike Crowe Soft versus Microsoft
If you haven't heard of this case where have you been?
It appears MS has filed a lawsuit against a 17 year
old kid for owning a domain name that sounds like
their trademarked name. It's pretty funny when you
think about it but can a High School kid win against
a Corp. giant like Microsoft? Only time will tell as
this kid refuses to hand over anything after MS
demanded the domain name be released to them. Check
it out at
http://www.mikerowesoft.com/
Go Back Up
*****************************************
|
Do You Write Articles?
If so why not submit them to one of the largest article
databases online today. Imagine Free exposure of your
work, as it's reprinted in ezines and websites across
the Internet. Be seen by thousands by submitting your
writings now to...
------
Ezine Ad Profits
Get the E-book that will tell you the absolute
best ezines to advertise in.
Go Back Up
HTML Kit
"HTML-Kit is a full-featured editor designed to help
HTML, XHTML and XML authors to edit, format, lookup
help, validate,preview and publish web pages. Despite
its name and the light download size, HTML-Kit is a
multi-purpose tool that has support for several
scripting and programming languages. "
Fr.e to download.
http://www.chami.com/html-kit/features/
--------
QuickSub
Download this fr.e script that turns XML feed buttons
into more informative creatures. When someone rolls
over your feed button a drop down list appears of
Aggregators/ News Readers.
http://methodize.org/quicksub/
-------
Crimson Editor
"Crimson Editor is a professional source editor for
Windows.
This program is not only fast in loading time, but also
small in size (so small that it can be copied in one
floppy disk). While it can serve as a good replacement
for Notepad, it also offers many powerful features for
programming languages such as HTML, C/C++, Perl and
Java."- Fr.e to download and distribute.
Go Back Up
*****************************************
|
Well, that wraps it up,once again thanks for joining me.
If you have any comments please send them to comments@merlesworld.com
or visit the site.
For advertising rates for this ezine send...mailto:advertising@merlesworld.com
Current subscriber base is over 4,200- My list is clean as
all email addresses are removed the very first time they bounce.
Back issues can be reviewed here...http://www.MerlesMission.com
If you are not a subscriber and would like to be send mailto:subscribe@merlesworld.com
For great web hosting or if you're in need of a programmer
contact mailto:DavidBlack@SiteDesignandHosting.com
.He's wonderful and an expert at what he does. Tell him
"Merle" sent ya.
P.S. I am currently in need of testimonials for this ezine.If
you enjoy it please let me know. Send to mailto:testimonials@MerlesWorld.com
«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»
If you haven't yet filled in the subscriber survey, get your free gifts by doing it now..and be entered into a drawing for a free ad in this ezine. Winner pulled twice a month. You'll find the survey at:http://www.advancedsurvey.com/ when there put 8243 into the survey number box at the right hand side to take the survey.
I'm now offering my articles for syndication on your website All you have to do is paste SOME code where you want the article to appear and every 10 to 14 days when I update it on my end it will display a fresh article on web design/ maintenance on your site. Easy to do and gives you fresh content without any work whatsoever. For more info and to get to the code Click Here.
Thanks for being a subscriber and I'll see you next time!
If you enjoy this ezine and would like to make a small donation
please go to http://tinyurl.com/21se
Disclaimer: Merle's World does not accept any responsibility
for any liabilities as resulting from any claims in this newsletter
or by the advertisers in it. This newsletter is for informational
purposes only. We respect your privacy and do not share our
mailing list with anyone. All content provided "as is"
without warranty of any kind. Comments in this ezine are strictly
the opinion of the publisher. Merle does not endorse, and
is not responsible for, the above ads. Please use your own
discretion when responding to ads in this ezine. Copyright
2001-2004 All Rights Reserved. View our Privacy
Policy and our...Site
Disclaimer
Go Back Up
| -
Back Issues |
|
|
|
Biz News
|
|
|