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Technology Information:

Reading RSS Feeds With An RSS Aggregator

More Information About RSS Feeds

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 you are using.

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:
  1. Desktop Aggregators:

    1. AmphetaDesk
      1. Advantages:
        1. free
        2. supports Linux, Mac, and Windows
        3. easy addition of RSS feeds
      2. Disadvantages:
        1. not maximized use of screen display
        2. few options for customizing
    2. FeedDemon
      1. Advantages:
        1. user friendly
        2. free trial version
        3. contains prepared popular feeds
        4. allows filtering of RSS feeds
        5. configurable "watch list" to manage junk RSS feeds
        6. search channel feature that incorporates other RSS services e.g. Feedster
        7. allows feed storage for future use
        8. tabbed browsers for channel navigation
        9. built-in podcast receiver
      2. Disadvantages:
        1. supports only Internet Explorer (embedded)
        2. paid software ($29.95)

  2. Online Aggregators:

    1. Bloglines
      1. Advantages:
        1. all major browsers supported (e.g. Netscape Navigator, Internet Explorer, Firefox)
        2. user-friendly especially for beginners
        3. free, web-based aggregator
        4. easy registration
        5. no advertisements
        6. contains its own directory of RSS feeds of thousands of websites
        7. personal email account for subscribing to newsletter emails (optional)
        8. allows privacy adjustments for personal blogs
        9. allows saved searches
        10. mobile version available
        11. 10 languages supported
        12. Additional add-on tools for automated blogrolls and subscription buttons
    2. NewsGator
      1. Advantages:
        1. free (consumer-standard version)
        2. provides personalized news channel
        3. allows translation of RSS articles into email format
        4. synchronization of feeds in several devices possible
        5. browse and search feed capabilities save time on surfing
        6. allows keyword filtering
        7. blog headlines
        8. button-click automatic subscription to news feeds
      2. Disadvantages:
        1. Outlook-based thus limited to Windows
    3. MyYahoo
      1. Advantages:
        1. Free web-based aggregator
        2. user-friendly
        3. customizable home page design
        4. button-click subscription to RSS feeds
        5. built-in directory and search tool for feeds
        6. wide variety of feeds e.g. news (science, technology, local), weather
        7. connects to all Yahoo features and services
      2. Disadvantages:
        1. banner advertisements

  3. Browser-Based Aggregators:

    4. (There are also lightweight RSS aggregator extensions which are plug-ins for existing internet browsers.)
    1. Sage Aggregator
      1. Advantages:
        1. free of charge
        2. beginner-friendly
        3. reeds both RSS and Atom feeds
        4. allows feed discovery
        5. can be assimilated to Firefox bookmark (storage and live)
        6. allows OPML feed lists imports and exports
        7. customizable style sheets
        8. supports a wide range of locales e.g. Catalan, Italian, Japanese, Spanish, Korean, Polish, Slovenian, etc.
        9. easy installation
      2. Disadvantages:
        1. good for about 12 RSS feeds
        2. 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.

Jeremiah Patton

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Suggested Reading:
The Hundred-Year Lie: How to Protect Yourself from the Chemicals That Are Destroying Your Health
by Randall Fitzgerald
The Hundred-Year Lie: How to Protect Yourself from the Chemicals That Are Destroying Your HealthIn the tradition of Silent Spring and Fast Food Nation, investigative journalist Randall Fitzgerald warns how thousands of man-made chemicals in our food, water, medicine, and environment are making humans the most polluted species on the planet. A century ago in 1906, when Congress enacted the Pure Food and Drug Act, Americans were promised "better living through chemistry." Fitzgerald provides overwhelming evidence to shatter this myth, and many others perpetrated by the chemical, pharmaceutical, and processed foods industries.

Plume (June 26, 2007)
Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.2 x 0.7 inches
Paperback: 304 pages
Consider This:
  • The average American carries a "body burden" of 700 synthetic chemicals
  • Chemicals in tap water can cause reproductive abnormalities and hermaphroditic birth
  • A 2005 study of lactating women in eighteen U.S. states found perchlorate (a toxic component of rocket fuel) in practically every mother's breast milk
  • Lab tests have found that four common food additives-aspartame, MSG, and two coloring chemicals-interact synergistically to produce nerve damage. These additives are commonly found in junk food marketed to children.
  • In the past few decades male sperm counts fell by 50 percent, women's tubal pregnancies increased by 400 percent, and girls eight years old and younger began experiencing puberty. Chemicals are redefining what is "normal"
Editorial Review:

In 1906, Congress passed the US Food and Drug Act and, according to the author, this has led to the "Hundred-Year Lie" that our food and drugs have been investigated and are safe and that the additives and chemicals put in them may actually make them better than the organic, natural variety. As an investigative reporter, Fitzgerald is expert at using scientific documents, articles in science and environmental journals and expert interviews to support his case. He concludes that we cannot rely on the government, science or manufacturers to either protect us or predict the effects of the products we ingest. As a test, Fitzgerald had his own blood analyzed for toxins and, in spite of living in an area of California known for its pure water and air and careful eating habits, he was shocked to find many toxic chemicals in his blood. While many readers will not agree with his conclusion that "Merely by choosing a diet of pure foods and a lifestyle free of synthetics, we can detoxify ourselves and initiate the healing of many degenerative illnesses and diseases," this book will cause any reader to think about the effect of our own voluntary actions on the health of our bodies. His suggestions for practical steps one can take may prove useful as well, although in the paperback afterword, he fears that denial will prevent most people or governments from taking any significant action.
Reviewer: Nola Theiss (Vol. 42, No. 1)

©2004 - 2010




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