. Maybe you've seen it on a webpage or on a blog you read. Maybe it's even on your blog.Ever wonder what it means? It's the symbol for an RSS/XML feed of content from that site. Really Simple Syndication (RSS) is an eXtensible Markup Language (XML) formatted document. There's a lot of technical jargon associated with the format, but what it means for you is that you can get/publish a regularly updated list of the latest content from a site or blog.
It's free content for your readers without you ever lifting a finger. Your blog instantly becomes a fresher, more frequently updated source of information.
RSS for the Reader
If you use a reader such as Google Reader, you use RSS to subscribe to a blog or website. This lets you watch all of your favorites in one place and see what's new without having to go to each one of them. It's a timesaver if you read several blogs.
Most blogs, including this one, automatically make your posts available to readers. If you aren't using an RSS reader to follow your favorite blogs, then definitely try it out.
Using RSS to Publish New Content
Now, here's the cool part for garden bloggers. Some publishers make content available for your blog through RSS feed. You simply post it and forget about it. When they update their content, you automatically get it for your blog without having to do any work.
How It Works
To teach you how it works, I'm going to use the feed I know the most about. Look to the right of the blog for the calendar. This is a simple RSS feed from the events calendar on Landscapedia.
Someone goes online and posts a new event at a botanical garden. Landscapedia takes that event and writes it to an xml file in the RSS format. On a pretty regular basis, Feedburner asks Landscapedia, "Hey buddy, can I get the latest events from you?"
Landscapedia tells Feedburner, "I have this xml file available for you. Go forth and spread the good word." Feedburner takes that file, performs some voodoo on it behind the scenes and makes it ready for any subscribers.
When you visited this blog, it told Feedburner, "Hey dude, I got a live one here. I need that info pronto."
Feedburner said, "Here's the latest. I hope you like it." The blog took that feed, formatted it, then posted it up.
Bam! You got the latest public garden events while I did nothing but sit on my lazy . . . well, you get the point.
How to Use It
Almost every blog has a layout/customize link for the blogger. Somewhere in there you can add a widget, gadget or other such nonsensical term. Look for one that says "RSS" or "XML" in the title. These let you put in the link to the feed. Once you've done that, then you are set. Every piece of new information gets posted automatically to your blog.
Can I Use Any RSS Feed
Absolutely Not! Some content is made available freely (such as the Public Garden Events from Landscapedia), but other content is only available for private consumption. You wouldn't want someone else posting your blogs on their site without your permission would you? It's the same for RSS.
If in doubt, contact the content owner!
If you have a favorite RSS feed that you use on your blog, let me know.
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