rss, podcasting and extending blogging

Monday October 26

3:00 PM Saskatchewan4:00 PM Central 5:00 PM Eastern

Web 2.0 Tools:

RSS, Podcasting and Extending Blogging

RSS, Podcasting and Extending Blogging

What is RSS ?

What is Podcasting ?

Extending the Blogging Experience

What is RSS ?

Have you seen this icon/image anywhere ?

Let’s have a look...

RSS

RSS

So...what does this icon mean ?

RSS

It means RSS

• Rich Site Summary

• Really Simple Syndication

RSS

RSS is a format for delivering regularly changing web content, such as...

• News stories

• Blog postings

• Wikis

RSS

Web feeds benefit publishers by letting them syndicate content automatically.

RSS

Web feeds benefit readers who want to subscribe to timely updates from favoured websites or to aggregate feeds from many sites into one place.

RSS

How does it work ?

•A standardized file format (xml*) of the information is published by the creator as a link. This is the RSS feed. *Extensible Markup Language

http://rss.cbc.ca/lineup/topstories.xml

RSS

How does it work ?

•RSS feeds can be read using software called a RSS reader, feed reader, or aggregator, which can be web-based, desktop-based, or mobile-device-based

RSS

How does it work ?

•The user subscribes to a particular RSS feed by entering into the reader the feed's URL or more commonly now, by clicking an RSS icon in a browser that initiates the subscription process.

RSS

How does it work ?

•The RSS reader checks the user's subscribed feeds regularly for new work, downloads any updates that it finds, and provides a convenient way to monitor and read the feeds.

RSS

How can you do it ?

•Check your Internet browser. Newest versions have built in readers.

FirefoxInternet ExplorerSafari

RSS

How can you do it ?

•OR Use a web-based news reader.

Google Reader http://reader.google.comBloglines http://www.bloglines.com/

RSS

How can you do it ?

•Once you've got a feed reader established, you'll want to find sites to which you wish to subscribe.

RSS

How can you do it ?

•Keep your eyes open for links that say XML or RSS or Syndication, or for that orange button up above, and add the feeds you find interesting.

Podcasting

What is it ?

A podcast is one (or a series of) digital media file(s) (either audio or video) released episodically and downloaded through web syndication.

A blend of words "Pod" - derived from iPod - and "broadcasting“.

Podcasting

What is it ?

It is not necessary to use an iPod (or any other form of portable media player) to access podcasts.

The content can be accessed using any computer capable of playing media files.

Podcasting

 http://secondgrade.podomatic.com/

http://www.epnweb.org/index.php

http://www.thewritingsite.org/resources/technology/podcast.asp

Podcasting

How can you subscribe ?

•To get started, install podcasting software. The podcasting software will automatically check for updates and download the files to your computer..

Podcasting

How can you subscribe ?

Examples of software

• iTunes •Juice • iPodder • iPodderX

Podcasting

How can you subscribe ?

•Once the software is installed, add the podcast feed. The podcasting software will automatically check for updates and download the files to your computer.

Podcasting

How can you subscribe ?

•Podcasts can be found in many places. I have created a file that you can use to search for podcasts.

Podcasting

How can you create a podcast ?

•Create an audio (or video) file.

Tools•Audacity http://audacity.sourceforge.net/about/ •Read Aloud 3 http://vedasri.com/read_aloud•Windows Sound Recorder

Podcasting

How can you do it ?

•Save it as (or convert it to) mp3 format Audacity can do this well.

*To work correctly, ensure that you have the LAME mp3 encoder downloaded and installed on your computer. Follow the instructions at the link given above.

Podcasting

How can you do it ?

•Use a site such as Gcast http://www.gcast.com/ to upload the podcast that you created.

•Post the podcast on a website, blog or wiki.

Podcasting

Vodcast (Video Pod Casts)

Also known as ‘vidcasts’ or ‘vodcasts’, video podcasts are very similar to podcasts.

A video podcast is delivered on demand to the subscriber’s personal computer or portable media player just like a podcast.

Extending Blogging

• Add links • Add audio and video• Add podcasts

RSS, Podcasting and Extending Blogging

Why use RSS feeds and Blogs and Podcasts ?