RSS - What is RSS?
RSS stands for "Really Simple Syndication". RSS
is also some times known as a XML feed because the computer language most
commonly used to publish an RSS feed is XML. This process of distributing web
content makes it "Syndicated".
RSS allows you to select website content you like
and have it delivered directly to your desktop or web browser. You will save
time as you no longer have to visit numerous websites to find and stay abreast
of new content.
How to Use RSS / XML feeds
First, you need an RSS reader. There are two main types
of RSS readers. First are web browser based RSS readers that many of you
already have. Here is a list of the most common:
There are also downloadable applications that also allow
you to display and subscribe to RSS feeds.
Additional links to RSS news readers on
DMOZ,
Yahoo,
Google and
MSN.
Also, if you use a Opera, Firefox or Safari, you are
able to access RSS feeds automatically by using the RSS auto discovery buttons
indicated below:
| FireFox Auto Discovery |
Safari Auto Discovery |
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In most cases, you are probably already able to
subscribe to RSS feeds with one of the above options.
Subscribing to RSS / XML Feeds
Now that you have a RSS news reader available you are
ready to begin subscribing to RSS feeds.
First, browse your favorite website for content of
interest (note: not all websites provide RSS feeds as this is a relatively new
technology).
Search the site for the RSS link, typically an orange
button such as: 
 
but can also be a text link. This is the biggest problem with RSS technology is
that there is no "standard" way to describe it, therefore users are left to
figure it.
Once you have found the RSS feed, it will typically open
up a page of computer XML code which you can disregard as your newsreader will
make sense of this XML code for you.
Simply select the URL of this page then cut and paste
the URL into "Add Feed", "Add Content", "Add URL" or "Add RSS"
window of your RSS reader. Again, every reader is slightly different but you
get the point.
That's it. You will now receive this information
directly in your RSS reader whenever the RSS / XML feed is updated.
Personalized Web Pages and Branded RSS Readers Make it
Even Easier
If you use the personalized browsers it is even easier
as some sites will have special branded icons to automatically include the RSS
feed into your browser. If you see this icons and you use the software, you can
simply click on the icon and confirm your RSS subscription.
Here is a list of the most common automatic RSS
subscription icons:
Here is information to
add RSS to Google Desktop
How to Find RSS Feeds
Now you understand RSS feeds and you want more. Here is
a few simple ways to search for RSS feeds. You search for RSS feeds much like
you search on the web.
Find For Sale by Owner Center's Real Estate RSS
Feeds
Use the search tool bar at the top and bottom of every
page to narrow your real estate search to a city, state or zip code. Once you
have found an area you are interested in learning about the activity, simply
click on the which
will take you to our RSS link page for that particular area. Use either the 1
click options or copy the rss / xml address file to your reader.
RSS and real estate. This new technology is extremely
useful when shopping for real estate. Now instead of checking your favorite
real estate website daily for new listings, the listings are delivered to you
in real-time. For Sale by Owner Center is the first FSBO real estate site
providing RSS / XML feeds of all of our real estate listings organized by city,
state.
 Search
For Sale by
Owner real estate listings for RSS feeds.
Additional RSS / XML Information
For additional information on RSS and its benefits and
uses, please visit the following:
Technology at Harvard Law RSS 2.0 specifications:
http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss
Wikipedia's RSS definition and background information:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RSS_%28protocol%29
O'Reilly XML Guide
http://www.xml.com/pub/a/2002/12/18/dive-into-xml.html
Using For Sale by Owner Center RSS / XML Feeds
For Sale by Owner Center encourages the use of our real
estate RSS feeds as part of a website, subject to our
Terms and Conditions.
However to use our feeds on your site, we do require
that the proper format and attribution is used when For Sale by Owner Center
content appears. The attribution text should read "For Sale by Owner Center" or
"Provide by For Sale by Owner Center". All links within the RSS feed must
by active and passed along via proper "<a href=" format. Any attempt
to remove this will result in prosecution of copyrighted content. You may not
use any For Sale by Owner Center logo or other For Sale by Owner Center
trademark.
We reserve the right to prevent the distribution of For Sale by Owner Center
content at any time and any reason. Please read our
Terms and Conditions for further
instructions.
The For Sale by Owner Center does not accept any liability for its RSS feeds.
Please see the Terms
and Conditions for full details.
If you would like a specialized RSS / XML feed our our
data, please feel free to
contact us to discuss your needs.
Your still reading this... Start searching
For Sale by Owner real estate listings
for RSS feeds
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