Creating RSS Feeds

What is it?

RSS actually can stand for a few different things, but in this context "Real Simple Syndication" makes the most sense, and is the easiest to remember. It means that you're making a file/site that others can subscribe to and subsequently be notified of any additional materials you add to the file/site.

The actual 'file' is an XML file. If that scares you, it really shouldn't... it's a super-tame XML file. If you've ever made a basic HTML page by hand, or even just understand the basics of HTML, you're all set. If you don't fall into the aforementioned category... still no worries, I promise you'll pick it up in no time!

The RSS feed/XML file is just a series of "container" tags. They look like this where the word, in this case "tag" is a "base" for each. The first tag (without the /) says "open" or "start" this container. The second tag (with the /) says "close" or "stop" this container. Got it? Well then, that wasn't so hard was it?

How do I make one?

All you need to know is that there are a few specific containers to use, and you'll be all set. It's more or less like picking the right size tupperware bowl for the left over spaghetti. Because with podcasts you need to use to specific containers to hold specific types of content. Some also have "sub-containers" in them. Think of it like Tupperware with divisions. It's all in the big plastic container, but each thing has it's own little sub-section... so each thing needs it's own container tag. So what are the tags? Here's a list, as they should appear in your RSS feed/XML file.

• <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> - this lets the browser (or rss aggregator) know that the file is xml and uses utf-8 which is a standard to help make the bits and bytes that make up the characters (abc... etc) standard.
• <rss></rss> - this goes around the entire document (except for the xml tag above) to say the contents are all RSS feed materials.
  • <channel></channel> - this goes inside the RSS tag, around everything as well, to say all the contents are part of this channel, who's properties will be defined by the next few tags
    • <ttl></ttl> - (only inside channel tag) stands for time to live, and sets up a refresh rate for your subscribers to be notified of modifications to your RSS feed.
    • <title></title> - (in both the channel and item tag) when it's inside the channel tag, it defines the title of the entire podcast
    • <link></link> - (only inside channel tag) is a link to your web site, if you have one, or general information about the podcast - it has to be on a webserver, so you'll have a link!
    • <language></language> - (only inside channel tag) declares the language you're using (english, french, spanish...)
    • <copyright></copyright> - (only inside channel tag) allows you to add in copyright information.
    • <managingEditor></managingEditor> - (only inside channel tag) allows you to add in an email address for audience members to contact you if need be.
    • <description></description> - when it's inside the channel tag it defines the description for the entire podcast; when it's in the item tag, it defines the description for an episode.
  • <item></item> - allows you to define a subset of tags to describe a particular episode of your podcast
    • <author></author> - (only inside item tag) allows you to add in an email address of the author of the podcast (can include name in parenthesis).
    • <title></title> - (in both the channel and item tag) when it's in the item tag, it defines the title for an episode.
    • <enclosure></enclosure> - (only in the item tag) allows you to associate a media file with the item tag/episode of your podcast.
    • <guid></guid> - (only in the item tag) allows you to associate a link with the item tag (I usually make it the same as the link inside the enclosure tag)
    • <pubDate></pubDate> - (only in the item tag) allows you to associate a date with the particular podcast episode. Must follow the "RFC 822" specifications... which means it must look like this: Mon, 14 Nov 2004 13:09:34 EST - otherwise is can cause errors.

You can see an example of all this code put together (as a graphic) here: RSS code example

There are also a number of tools available online for creating RSS feeds including:

• FeedForAll - Windows and Mac Versions available
• Profcast - Windows and Mac Versions available
  Can also records a ppt or keynote lecture in realtime, and converts it to a podcast.
• RSS Builder - Windows Only
• VodCaster - Mac Only
  Can also record video to make video podcasts (vodcasts)