What is all this? The answer is quite simple: All the terms revolve around technology that allows information you want to be delivered electronically to your fingertips when you want it. But, let's take it one step at a time starting at the beginning.
The continued expansion of the Internet translates into an ever-increasing number of sources for information. Visiting multiple website to gather information can become cumbersome, tedious and a huge time drain. In steps RSS and XML. The technology allows information you've selected and want to receive to be pulled directly into your aggregator (news reader). Accessing your aggregator provides one stop access to new information and content located across the web. RSS, XML and aggregators simplify the task of surfing the web to gather information.
1. What feeds can I subscribe to on lawyers.com?
2. How do I add lawyers.com's XML to my aggregator?
3. Where can I get an aggregator or news reader?
4. What does syndication mean?
5. What is an aggregator or news feed reader?
6. What does is mean when I see an XML button?
7. What is RSS?
1. What feeds can I subscribe to on lawyers.com?
Bankruptcy Law: http://www.lawyers.com/lawyers/rss/rss_bankruptcy.php
Business Law: http://www.lawyers.com/lawyers/rss/rss_business.php
Criminal Law: http://www.lawyers.com/lawyers/rss/rss_criminal.php
Current Events: http://www.lawyers.com/lawyers/rss/rss_current_events.php
Family Law: http://www.lawyers.com/lawyers/rss/rss_family.php
Immigration Law: http://www.lawyers.com/lawyers/rss/rss_immigration.php
Labor and Employment Law: http://www.lawyers.com/lawyers/rss/rss_labor_and_employment.php
Click on the XML button -
Copy the Web "address" or URL of that page and plug it into your news feed reader or aggregator.3. Where can I get an aggregator or news reader?
There are many free web based programs as well as software you can purchase and installed on your computer. Check out allrss.com for applications http://allrss.com/rssreaders.html/
4. What does syndication mean?
Syndication is often used in association with RSS and news feeds. Syndication is the process by which an author/publisher allows content to be picked-up and displayed in locations other than the publisher's primary location. Access to some syndicated content comes at a price (think newspaper columns or cartoon strips), and some, like most RSS feeds, is free.
5. What is an aggregator or news feed reader?
A news aggregator, or news feed reader, is web based or desktop software. A news aggregator can be compared to an email program. Rather than pulling in and allowing you to read email, the aggregator pulls in and displays RSS feeds from the sites your have subscribed to. The software allows you to access and read the new content from the RSS feeds.
6. What does it mean when I see an XML button?
Most XML buttons are small and orange
XML is coding which, when copied into an aggregator, also known as a news feed reader, allows the RSS feed of a site to be displayed in an aggregator or news reader.7. What is RSS?
RSS has two common acronyms:
Real Simple Syndication or
Rich Site Summary
Regardless of which definition you use, RSS allows sites to easily share information with users and for users to track information which has changed. An RSS feed, also called a news feed, contains a headline, summary and a link which takes a user back to the webpage where the information resides. It is also significant to note that RSS does not require providing your email address before you can receive information.