Free Website Content - Interesting RSS Use and Tools
Interesting RSS Tools and Use
The core use for RSS is generally considered
news headlines and blog syndication, but innovative businesses
are learning to use RSS in different ways. Consider RSS
as a communication channel that can provide current, targeted
information as it appears within a very targeted audience.
Monitoring Newsgroups/Usenet
Google Groups is a free online community and discussion
group service that offers the Web's most comprehensive archive
of Usenet postings. Google Groups can be monitored using
RSS feeds. In order to monitor a specific newsgroup simply
add "/feed/msgs.xml" to the end of the Google Group URL.
Add the new URL to a newsgroup reader and receive updates
each time a new post is added to the newsgroup.
Example Feed: http://groups.google.com/group/alt.comp.shareware.authors/feed/msgs.xml
Calendars
Build a calendar for public or private use and receive calendar
updates via an RSS feed. Calendars can be created for personal
reminders to pay bills or attend social functions. Calendars
can also be used for specific groups like schools, sporting
events, or industry events. The calendar can be syndicated
and shared using RSS feeds.
CalendarHub - http://www.calendarhub.com
Example Feed - http://www.calendarhub.com/rss/21882/month
Weather
Enter a zip code and obtain the weather information in a
specific region. Click the orange RSS icon and add the feed
to your reader. Each morning you will receive local and
regional weather reports as they are made available. RSS
feeds can be customized to include current local conditions,
local Doppler radar, pollen trends, regional video forecasts
with expert commentary, and extended forecast details.
Weather.com - http://www.weather.com
or RSS Weather - http://www.rssweather.com
Classifieds (Homes/Jobs)
Curious about the availability of specific employment opportunities
in a specific industry? Receive notification when positions
are made available. RSS feeds can be created for regions,
salary ranges, or positions.
RSSJobs - http://www.rssjobs.com
or Craigslist Example Feed - http://www.craigslist.com/sof/index.rss
Ego Searches
Ego searches are free and simple searches designed to
monitor blogs and news portals for mentions of your company,
product, competitors, or other specific keywords. Conducting
ego searches, not only allows you to stay informed, but
also allows you to maintain a strategic advantage over competing
companies. A number of new Internet services are freely
available that make these 'ego searches' painless and easy.
Many of the services allow you to create a
keyword based feed. Each time new information containing
the keyword appears in the searched resources, the RSS feed
updates.
More on Ego Searches: http://www.small-business-software.net/ego-searches.htm
Shipments
Receive notification via RSS feeds when packages are delivered.
Custom RSS feeds can be created to monitor delivery progress.
Track the status of packages shipped via US Postal Service,
USP, DHL or Federal Express.
Simple Tracking - http://www.simpletracking.com/
Site Checks
Initially used by search engines to indicate new websites
with top ranking for specific keywords. Many webmasters
provide RSS feeds to let visitors know when web content
changes occur.
Coupons or Specials
Everyone loves a bargain, RSS feeds that promote time sensitive
discounts or offers are becoming increasingly popular. Restaurants
convey lunch specials while travel companies convey last
minute deals to prospective travelers using RSS Feeds.
Sample Restaurants Feed - http://www.bestrestaurants.com.au/xml/feed/dining-specials-australia.xml
or
Sample Travel Feed - http://www.orbitz.com/rss/flightdeals.rss.xml
Auction Monitoring
Items on eBay are time sensitive, few individuals have time
to make daily auction checks of new auctions for specific
products. Create an RSS feed using keywords to monitor products
as they become available for auction.
Bidding Tools - http://www.freebiddingtools.com
Example Feeds - http://www.freebiddingtools.com/rss/feeds/47459
RSS is still very young. Both publishers and
consumers are actively seeking ways to exploit this communication
medium. Additional uses of RSS feeds are popping up daily.
Consider how your business might use this new communication
medium to increase sales, increase productivity, and reach
new customers.
About the Author:
Sharon Housley manages marketing for FeedForAll http://www.feedforall.com
software for creating, editing, publishing RSS feeds and
podcasts. In addition Sharon manages marketing for NotePage
http://www.notepage.net
a wireless text messaging software company.
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appreciated send an email to sharon@notepage.net
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