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Here are some simple instructions for using the RSS-xpress service.
Remember that an RSS channel is just an XML file that is made available at a
URL on
a Web server somewhere. These instructions tell you how to create, update and
register a channel (an XML file).
Creating a new channel
- Go to the RSS-xpress home page.
- Select the 'New' button.
- Type the URL of the location of the channel that you are creating into the 'RSS URL' field.
The 'RSS URL' is the URL of the location, typically on your Web server, where you
are going to put the RSS channel (the XML file)
that you are creating.
-
Enter the channel title, link, description, copyright statement, administrator email address and language into the 'Channel Summary' fields.
The 'Channel Link' is typically the URL of the Web site that is associated
with your channel.
- If your channel has a logo associated with it, enter the title, URL and
link into the 'Channel Image' fields. The 'Image Link' is the URL of the page
that will be loaded if someone clicks on the logo.
- If your channel has a Web search function associated with it, enter the
title, name, link and description into the 'Text Input' fields.
The 'Input Link' is the URL of the CGI script that will be called to
perform the search. The 'Input Name' is the name of the text input
area on the form.
- For each item in the new channel, enter the title, URL and description
of the item into the 'Item' fields.
- Scroll the window back to the top of the page and select the
'Save' button. You will be prompted to save a copy of the XML for your new
RSS channel. The default filename will be 'rss.xml' - you may change this if you
wish.
Save the XML file somewhere on your system and then move it to the location
on your Web server corresponding to the 'RSS URL' that you entered at the beginning.
- Your new channel is now live.
Viewing an existing channel
- Go to the RSS-xpress home page.
- Enter the URL of your channel (the 'RSS URL' that you provided when
you first created the channel) into the 'RSS URL' field.
- Select the 'View' button.
- A view of the channel will be displayed.
- Alternatively, if your channel has been registered, scroll the page
to find your channel in the 'Channel Directory' and select the '[view]' link.
Updating an existing channel
- Go to the RSS-xpress home page.
- Enter the URL of your channel (the 'RSS URL' that you provided when
you first created the channel) into the 'RSS URL' field.
- Select the 'Edit' button.
- Alternatively, if your channel has been registered, scroll the page
to find your channel in the 'Channel Directory' and select the '[edit]' link.
- Modify any of the fields that need updating.
- Use the 'Delete' and 'Insert' buttons to remove and add items from/to the
channel. Note that if your channel already has 15 items in it when you select the
'Insert' button, the last item will be removed.
- Scroll the window back to the top of the page and select the
'Save' button. You will be prompted to save a copy of the XML for your new
RSS channel. The default filename will be 'rss.xml' - you may change this if you
wish.
Save the XML file somewhere on your system and then move it to the same location
on your Web server that you used when you first created the channel.
- Your channel has now been updated.
Registering a channel
- Go to the RSS-xpress home page.
- Enter the URL of your channel (the 'RSS URL' that you provided when
you first created the channel) into the 'RSS URL' field.
- Select the 'Register' button.
- Complete all the fields in the registration form.
- Important: Make sure that you correctly set the 'Category'.
Please only register UK channels using this form.
- Select the 'Confirm' button.
- Your channel is now registered.
Note: To remove a registered channel, either remove the channel XML file
from your Web server
(in which case the channel will be removed from RSS-xpress automatically after two weeks)
or email rss-xpress@ukoln.ac.uk.