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

If you’re like the average surfer or computer
user (you’re probably scratching your head) what
the 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 or
html. 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 difference
that makes it such a revolutionary element. It changes
how information is transmitted on the web, it sends
out or syndicates a site’s contents. Don’t come
to us, we will deliver.

Surfers can view the contents of your site without
actually having to go to your site! RSS is usually
associated with Blogs and Blogging because Blogs
use 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 pay
a 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 Computer
Companies gearing up for the coming RSS revolution!
Perhaps, the most significant and revolutionary is
Microsoft’s Longhorn announcement that the next
version of Windows will have RSS integrated not
only into its browser but also into their operating
system.

This will place RSS firmly into the heart of your
computing experience. It will change how you use
the Internet and it will change how you use your
computer. 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 funding
in the developing technology of RSS. What’s a
revolution without fuel!
[http://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 universe
as 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 for
RSS. 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, this
revolution is very easy to join. Here’s a few quick pointers.

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

But blogs are just one area of RSS, make sure you have
Google Sitemaps set up on your site. If you need help
with this procedure click here:
http://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 RSS
on your site: http://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?

Author: Titus Hoskins
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Pressure cooker