RSS Subscription is a term you'll hear often in the blogging world. So for all you novice bloggers, I am going to provide the definition of RSS and tell you what purpose it serves and how it can benefit you.

RSS - n any of various XML file formats suitable for disseminating real-time information via subscription on the Internet; Rich Site Summary or Really Simple Syndication

I like the term Really Simple Syndication best. That is a clearer example of what RSS is, in my opinion. Basically, an RSS is a tool that allows readers to subscribe to your blog, and in doing so, they will get emails every time you publish a new post to your blog. So if people "Subscribe Via RSS", they must really enjoy reading what you have to say. In addition to receiving emails, some people might have a Feed Reader. Microsoft Vista, for example, provides a feed reader, and you can constantly get updates via the feed reader. It keeps track of your subscriptions and posts a link to each new entry on each blog to which you are subscribed. It makes it easy to keep track of all your reading material in one place.

Now if you are the owner of a blog, you'll need an RSS Subscription tool on your blog page. It should be part of the side bar, and it should be prominently displayed on every page of the blog, so people don't have to look for it. People like to subscribe, since it simplifies their lives, and they don't want to have to look for the subscription tool. So be sure to have the tool on your blog, and make sure it's visible. Usually the RSS tool is recognized by the color orange, and a little logo, which I have attached in this blog post.

If you are a blog reader, you'll also like RSS. I, myself, am both a blog writer and a blog reader, and of course I have favorite blogs that I like to read. I'm not telling what they are though. But I do enjoy having the option of receiving emails with links to the new posts, rather than having to track them down myself. It saves time when you get an email, because the email tells you the name of the post, and usually gives you the first few lines of the post, so you can determine if you even want to read it. That way, you don't have to waste time visiting each of your favorite sites to see if and what they have posted lately, or whether you'll even want to read it.

In each of these "Dictionary" posts, I am going to provide useful links that will further your knowledge on the topic. So here they are:

Wikipedia's RSS Definition

Tech-y info on RSS

More definitions are coming to you, so if you have a special request for a term or word that flabergasts you, email it to me. You can remain anonymous in case you feel silly asking.

Labels: Blog Dictionary, Real Estate Blog, Website Tools