Comments on: Do We Need a Simpler RSS? http://www.librarystuff.net/2008/12/08/do-we-need-a-simpler-rss/ The library weblog dedicated to resources for keeping current and professional development Sun, 12 Feb 2012 05:33:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Brad Spry http://www.librarystuff.net/2008/12/08/do-we-need-a-simpler-rss/comment-page-1/#comment-26433 Brad Spry Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:53:53 +0000 http://www.librarystuff.net/2008/12/08/do-we-need-a-simpler-rss/#comment-26433 The integration of RSS capibilities into existing, familiar clients like e-mail and web browsers is a step in the right direction. Web sites should automatically prompt users as they are leaving, asking if they would like to be notified of updates. Then you would need an effective alerting mechanism within the browser, "live bookmarks" isn't it. Maybe a return of the scrolling marquees of the past, I don't know, but there is much improvement to be had all around. The term "RSS" and "feeds" is pure jargon. It must get beyond that point. E-mailing updates is quite possibly the killer app, but e-mail clients really need to be able to filter such updates into folders. "Have updates e-mailed to you" sounds a million times more friendly than download this software, or use this new software, learning something new, click on this icon, etc. People already know how to use e-mail. The integration of RSS capibilities into existing, familiar clients like e-mail and web browsers is a step in the right direction. Web sites should automatically prompt users as they are leaving, asking if they would like to be notified of updates. Then you would need an effective alerting mechanism within the browser, “live bookmarks” isn’t it. Maybe a return of the scrolling marquees of the past, I don’t know, but there is much improvement to be had all around.

The term “RSS” and “feeds” is pure jargon. It must get beyond that point.

E-mailing updates is quite possibly the killer app, but e-mail clients really need to be able to filter such updates into folders.

“Have updates e-mailed to you” sounds a million times more friendly than download this software, or use this new software, learning something new, click on this icon, etc. People already know how to use e-mail.

]]> By: Connie Crosby http://www.librarystuff.net/2008/12/08/do-we-need-a-simpler-rss/comment-page-1/#comment-26432 Connie Crosby Mon, 08 Dec 2008 17:05:21 +0000 http://www.librarystuff.net/2008/12/08/do-we-need-a-simpler-rss/#comment-26432 Point well taken--I agree most people are using it without realizing it. And most may not need to be able to set things up. As librarians, I see our role as curators of content, so we should be able to work with feeds (admittedly, I am still learning how to mix and filter feeds myself). Most of us have a long way to go before we are at that proficient. There was a really good suggestion on my blog just now--a feed could be an icon dropped onto your desktop, that you could then move to add where you want.I'm thinking that's a great idea. :-) Point well taken–I agree most people are using it without realizing it. And most may not need to be able to set things up. As librarians, I see our role as curators of content, so we should be able to work with feeds (admittedly, I am still learning how to mix and filter feeds myself). Most of us have a long way to go before we are at that proficient.

There was a really good suggestion on my blog just now–a feed could be an icon dropped onto your desktop, that you could then move to add where you want.I’m thinking that’s a great idea. :-)

]]> By: Steven http://www.librarystuff.net/2008/12/08/do-we-need-a-simpler-rss/comment-page-1/#comment-26431 Steven Mon, 08 Dec 2008 17:01:01 +0000 http://www.librarystuff.net/2008/12/08/do-we-need-a-simpler-rss/#comment-26431 For many people, they are using RSS and don't even know it. I'd love to see figures that discuss adoptions numbers. Also, maybe not everyone "needs" to use RSS? For many people, they are using RSS and don’t even know it. I’d love to see figures that discuss adoptions numbers. Also, maybe not everyone “needs” to use RSS?

]]> By: Connie Crosby http://www.librarystuff.net/2008/12/08/do-we-need-a-simpler-rss/comment-page-1/#comment-26430 Connie Crosby Mon, 08 Dec 2008 16:42:10 +0000 http://www.librarystuff.net/2008/12/08/do-we-need-a-simpler-rss/#comment-26430 Why, then, are not more people using it? I agree, it can be explained fairly readily (heck, just the Common Craft video alone does the trick) but I'm thinking we still have a long way to go with adoption. Cheers! Connie Why, then, are not more people using it? I agree, it can be explained fairly readily (heck, just the Common Craft video alone does the trick) but I’m thinking we still have a long way to go with adoption.

Cheers!
Connie

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