100 Uses of RSS Feeds
Many equate RSS with blogs and little else. However,
we have found that RSS is multi-faceted and has
a scope far beyond blogs. Take a look at these
100 ways that RSS is being used in real world
situations:
1. Homework Assignments
Schools and universities can use
RSS to communicate assignments.
Example: Class Homework - http://cms.dsusd.k12.ca.us/education/components/board/default.php
2. Coupons and Deals
To find discounted products and
coupons using RSS, certain websites allow you
toenter your zip code so that a custom feed will
be generated for your area.
Example: Zixxo - https://www.zixxo.com
3. Calender Updates
RSS allows you to create a business
or personal calendar and keep track of deadlines
with ease.
Example: Calendar Hub - http://www.calendarhub.com/
4. Birth Notices
You may monitor birth notices using
RSS feeds.
Example: http://announcements.telegraph.co.uk/births
5. Recipes
You can follow new recipes with
ease using RSS feeds.
Example: Better Homes and Gardens
Recipe of the Day - http://recipes.bhg.com/recipes/rss.jsp
6. Word of the Day
You may view a word of the day
courtesy of an RSS feed.
Example: Word Smith - http://wordsmith.org/awad/rss.html
7. Sports Scores
Whenever a game ends, the final
score can be automatically downloaded to your
computer, cellphone, or other RSS reader.
Example: Totally Scored - http://www.totallyscored.com/
8. Track Shipments
You can interface with the UPS,
FedEx, and USPS systems, making it easier to get
the tracking information you are looking for.
Simply enter your UPS, FedEx, or USPS tracking
number and you will be given a link to an RSS
feed containing the tracking information gathered
from the UPS, FedEx, and USPS systems.
Example: Simple Tracking - http://www.simpletracking.com/
9. Demo Music
Up-and-coming indie artists can
increase exposure by offering music demos via
RSS feeds.
Example: http://www.feedforall.com/musicians-should-podcast.htm
10. Sex Offender Alerts
You can receive notification when
a sex offender moves into a specified neighborhood.
Example: http://www.sexualoffenders.com/newsfeeds.php
11. Virus Alerts
RSS can deliver new virus alerts,
reports of the most prevalent viruses and hoaxes,
and product advisories straight to your computer.
Example: Sophos Virus Alerts - http://www.sophos.com/feeds/
12. Informational Alerts
Public safety departments can use
RSS to act as an information portal for the general
public. These sites are not intended to supplant
the community notification process, but to allow
the criminal justice community to promote public
awareness of any potential threats and to make
information regarding alerts easily and conveniently
accessible.
Example: Alabama Dept of Public
Safety - http://community.dps.state.al.us/
13. Weather Reports
RSS feeds can allow you to monitor
weather reports and alerts using RSS feeds.
Example: Weather.com - http://www.weather.com/weather/rss/subscription
14. News Headlines
You can follow the latest news headlines
by subscribing to topical news feeds.
Example: CNN - http://www.cnn.com/services/rss/?iref=rssmorenews
15. Ego Monitoring
Creating keyword search feeds allows
you to monitor mentions of a brand, individual,
or product. Example:
Ego Search Feeds - http://www.rss-tools.com/ego-search-feeds.htm
16. Sharing Bookmarks as Educational Resources
You may share educational or scholarly
resources with classmates or peers using social
bookmarking and RSS.
Example: Citeulike - http://www.citeulike.org/
17. Mortgage Rates
RSS can allow you to receive daily
story feeds and personalized rate information.
Example: Bank Rate - http://www.bankrate.com/brm/rss/entrypage1.asp
18. Obituaries
You may monitor death notices by
subscribing to the appropriate RSS feeds.
Example: NY Times Obituaries - http://www.nytimes.com/services/xml/rss/
19. New Logos
RSS allows you to receive updates
each time a new logo is added to the logo directory.
Example: http://www.logo-search.com/rss-feeds.htm
20. Search Engine Listings
Each time a new listing is added
to a specific category or under a specific keyword,
you can use RSS to receive a notification and
monitor search engine listings.
Example: Ego Search Feeds - http://www.rss-tools.com/ego-search-feeds.htm
21. Web Page Changes
You can monitor and receive instant
notification of website changes via RSS feed.
Example: Montastic - http://www.montastic.com/
22. Restaraunt Specials
For Australian restaurants, RSS
feeds that will show you the latest restaurants,
restaurant specials, and featured specials are
available.
Example: Best Restaurants - http://www.bestrestaurants.com.au/xml/rss/
23. Monitor Stocks
RSS allows you to monitor changes
in stocks and investments, which are updated in
the appropriate feed.
Example: Finance Investing - http://www.finance-investing.com/
24. Currency Exchange Rates
You may use RSS feeds to access
accurate currency exchange rates.
Example: http://themoneyconverter.com/RSSFeeds.aspx
25. Clinical Trials of New Medications
RSS allows you to follow clinical
trials of emerging medications and experimental
treatments.
Example: Clinical Trial Feeds -
http://clinicaltrialsfeeds.org/
26. Classifieds
You can monitor classified listings
for specific items with RSS.
Example: Classified Listings - http://www.classifiedsmississauga.com/allRss.php
27. Employment Opportunities
RSS feeds let you view and follow
employment opportunities.
Example: Job Feeds - http://www.feedforall.com/job-feeds.htm
28. Houses for Sale
RSS feeds allow you to view and
monitor listings of houses available for sale.
Example: Realty Feeds - http://www.realty-feeds.net
29. Bible Study
The systematic teaching of the Bible
is also possible with the use of RSS feeds.
Example: Bible Study - http://www.biblestudy.net/podcast.xml
30. New Forum Posts
You can stay current on the latest
forum posts using RSS feeds.
Example: FeedForAll Forum - http://www.feedforall.com/forum
31. Internal Corporate Communications
Within a business organization,
RSS is instrumental in corporate communications.
32. Press Releases
You may monitor press releases in
specific categories using RSS feeds.
Example: PR9 - http://www.pr9.net/rss/
33. Votes of Politicians
RSS feeds allow you to check the
voting records of your favorite (or least favorite)
political constituents.
Example: http://www.government-central.com
34. Court Rulings
Court decisions are accessible online
via RSS feed.
Example: Cornell University - http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/subscribe.html
35. Auction Items
RSS feeds allow you to monitor listings
on eBay, notifying you each time a new item that
uses the keyword you are monitoring is listed.
Example: eBay - http://www.ebay.com
36. User Group Meeting Minutes
User group meeting minutes can be
made easily accessible via RSS feed.
Example: Chicago Cocoa & WebObjects
User Group - https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/cawug
37. Dating Classifieds
RSS feeds offer you another means
of viewing the dating classifieds of your local
paper, with new listings automatically being added.
Example: NY Post - http://www.nypost.com/rss/dating.xml
38. Public Service Announcements
PSAs are available via RSS feeds.
Example: CDC - http://www.bt.cdc.gov/rss/hurricanepsas.xml
39. Photographs
Microstock and stock photo websites
provide new listings and categories via RSS feeds,
allowing you to receive notification when new
photos are listed.
Example: Stock Photos - http://www.photo-wizard.net/rss-feeds.htm
40. Notification of Price Changes
RSS allows you to receive instant
notification of price changes.
Example: RSStalker - http://www.rsstalker.com
41. Show Times
You can eceive notification of
movie and theatre times via RSS feed.
Example: Yahoo Movies - http://movies.yahoo.com/rss
42. Association Meeting Minutes
Large organization and association
meeting minutes can be made available via RSS
feed.
Example: Boston Vegan - http://bostonvegan.org/index.php
43. Statistical Polls
RSS feeds allow you to monitor statistical
polls.
Example: Gallup - http://www.gallup.com/poll/104512/RSS-Feeds.aspx
44. Online Training
An RSS feed or podcast can deliver
online training. New lessons are added on a regular
basis and can become progressively more difficult.
Example: CareerStep - http://www.careerstep.com/career-training-programs
45. Tutorials
Tutorials can be delivered using
RSS feeds.
Example: http://www.feedforall.com/tutorials/
46. Cartoons
Cartoons can be made more easily
available by RSS feeds.
Example: http://www.andertoons.com/free/cartoons/rss/
47. Joke of the Day
Daily jokes can be delivered via
an RSS feed.
Example: http://www.starjokes.com/
48. High Scores
High scores on video games and
players' standings can be distributed to players
using RSS.
Example: http://external.cyberscore.net/latest-records.rss
49. TV Recaps
Televsion show recaps can also
be made available through an RSS feed, offering
an easy solution to missing an episode by allowing
you simply to subscribe to the feed.
Example: http://uk.popsugar.com/tag/TV+Recap
50. Quote of the Day
You may recieve a quote of the day
using an RSS feed.
Example: http://www.quotationspage.com/qotd.html
51. Flight Deals
RSS feeds allow you to monitor travel
deals from major airlines, allowing you simply
to enter the city from which you normally depart
to receive notification of any flight deals.
Example: http://travel.travelocity.com/feeds/Subscription.do
52. Available Apartments
You can receive notification of
apartments for rent or lease using RSS feeds.
Example: http://www.apartments.com/PressRoom/rss.htm
53. Notification of Events
RSS feeds allow you to receive notification
of upcoming events for your location or region.
Example: Eventful - http://www.eventful.com
54. Corporate News
Companies often provide corporate
news using an RSS feed.
Example: http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/index.wss
55. Press Releases
Press releases are available through
an RSS feed.
Example: http://www.notepage.net/press.htm
56. Software Release Notes
Software release notes can be distributed
using RSS feeds, allowing you to receive instant
notification of software updates.
Example: http://www.jivesoftware.com/jivespace/thread/41010
57. Legislative Activity
Legistlative bills and laws are
accessible via an RSS feed.
Example: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/MyTLO/RSS/rssFeeds.aspx
58. Health Alerts
An RSS feed can deliver findings
from clinical trials, and other such health alerts.
Example - National Institute of
Health - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/databases/alerts/clinical_alerts.html
59. Bankruptcy Filings
Records of bankruptcy filings are
accessible through RSS.
Example: http://www.pacer.gov/findcase.html
60. Home Foreclosures
RSS feeds can also offer alerts
regarding home foreclosures in your area.
Example: http://www.bankforeclosureslisting.com/bank-foreclosure-homes/
61. Auction Alerts
RSS feeds can deliver auction alerts,
notifying you of any new listings under a certain
keyword.
Example: http://www.auctionzip.com/alertsLanding.html
62. Deal of the Day
An RSS feed can notify you of a
"deal of the day."
Example: http://softwaredod.com/softwaredod.php
63. Museum Tours
Museum tours are also available
via RSS feeds.
Example: http://www.brooklynmuseum.org/calendar/index.php?event_type=Talks%20and%20Tours
64. Reports of Animal Abuse
RSS feeds can alert you to animal
or pet abuse reports.
Example: http://www.pet-abuse.com/pages/cruelty_database/results.php
65. Travel Guide
You can use an RSS feed to access
travel information such as travel deals and discounts.
Example: http://www.orbitz.com/App/ViewRSSHelpPage
66. Allergy Reports
An RSS feed can deliver allergy
alerts.
Example: http://www.eastbourne.gov.uk/health/food/allergy-alerts/
67. Flight Schedules
You may monitor airport flight delays
using RSS feeds.
Example: http://www.flightstats.com/go/Syndication/widgets.do#RSS
68. Diet and Nutrition
Advice An RSS feed can make advice
regarding diet and nutrition easily accessible.
Example: http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/rss.html
69. Astrology - Fortunes
Daily horoscope feeds allow a feed
to deliver your daily sun sign horoscope to you.
Example: Astrocenter - http://www.astrocenter.com/us/RSS.aspx
70. Search Craigslist
RSS search tools can allows you
to search cragslists RSS feeds and locate items
based on keywords.
Example: Craigslist - http://www.craigslist.org
71. Concert Notifications
You may receive notifications of
upcoming concerts in your area via RSS. Example:
SongKick - http://www.songkick.com
72. Restaurant Reviews
You may view reviews of restaurants
in different areas using RSS feeds.
Example: Vancouver Restaurant Reviews
- http://www.vaneats.com/reviews/restaurants/
73. Fashion Advice
You can access fashion tips more
conveniently using an RSS feed.
Example: http://www.askmen.com/fashion/fashiontip/
74. Consumer Reports
Consumer reports are available via
RSS.
Example: http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/customer-service/rss-feeds/
75. Racing Results
You may access racing results more
easily with an RSS feed.
Example: http://www.stockcarracing.com/rss/index.html
76. Political Polls
RSS feeds can make the results of
political polls easily accessible.
Example: http://www.pollingreport.com/
77. Political Debates
You may follow debates regarding
local and state political concerns using an RSS
feed.
Example: http://www.debate.org/rss/
78. Businesses for Sale
You can learn about new businesses available for
sale using RSS feeds.
Example: http://www.acquireo.com/Services/RSS/BusinessForSaleCategories.aspx
79. Cars for Sale
RSS can allow you to view cars
for sale with greater ease.
Example: http://www.vprojectcar.com/rss_feed.php
80. Reminders
You may recieve simple reminders
for one-time or recurring events using RSS.
Example: ReminderFeed - http://www.reminderfeed.com
81. Track Hotel Deals
You can track discounts and deals
on hotels and travel destinations using RSS feeds.
Example: http://www.lowtels.com/Hotel_Deals/Hotel_Deals.cfm
82. Product Recalls
An RSS feed can deliver alerts of
product recalls.
Example: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/rss.html
83. New Web Templates
Notification of newly posted web
templates are posted to web template directories
using RSS feeds.
Example: http://www.webmaster-templates.net/rss-feeds.htm
84. Sports Team News
You can get the latest sports news
on your favorite teams via RSS feeds.
Example: Sports Feeds - http://www.sports-feeds.com
85. Conference Schedule Updates
Updates to conference schedules
may be accessible via an RSS feed.
Example: http://developers.sun.com/rss/javaone.xml
86. PowerPoint Templates
RSS feeds of new powerpoint templates
are available.
Example: http://www.ppt-templates.net/rss-feeds.htm
87. Community Service
You can use RSS to track volunteer opportunities
in your area.
Example: USA Service - http://www.usaservice.org/page/content/eventsearch
88. eBay Search Feeds
You may create custom eBay auction
search feeds and and receive notification when
new products are available for sale.
Example: eBay - http://pages.ebay.com/affiliates/tools/rssgenerator/index.html
89. eBook Chapters
RSS feeds for many books are available
online.
Example: iChapters - http://www.ebooks.com/rss.asp
90. Audio Books
RSS can also make audio books more
easily accessible.
Example: Librivox - http://librivox.org/podcast.xml
91. Website Updates
RSS feeds allow you to keep track
of news and events posted on websites.
Example: Piermont Library - http://piermontlibrary.org/services/tracking-site-updates/
92. Track Downtime
You may track the downtime of a
website and receive notification of any problems
it encounters via RSS feed.
Example: Site 24X7 - http://site24x7.com/index.html
93. Trivia RSS feeds can be used
to deliver daily trivia and brain teasers to you.
Example: Braingle - http://www.braingle.com/feed.php
Example: Disney Trivia - http://www.disneyworldtrivia.com/rss.php
94. Museum Exhibit Schedule
Museum exhibit announcements and
schedule changes can be delivered through RSS
feeds.
Example: Portland Museum - http://portlandartmuseum.org/about/news/releases/Portland-Art-Museum-Announces-Exhibition-Schedule/
95. Consumer Report Recalls
You can use RSS to monitor consumer
report recalls and receive instant notification
of recalls in specific categories.
Example: Consumer Reports - http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/subscription
97. WikiPages Updates
RSS may be used to monitor changes
to WikiPages, in particular to track specific
pages for any content changes or edits.
Example: http://www.wikipages.com/index.php/Home
98. Tide Schedule
You may follow changes in the tide
using RSS feeds.
Example: Local Marine Weather Tides
- http://www.fwicki.com/rss/AdamGloucester78/Local-marine-weather-tides-and-wave-forecasts
99. Train Schedule
RSS and TXT feeds of subway outages
are available.
Example: http://itapinfo.com/id203.html#.UdHTLfm1GSI
100. Flight Delays
You can use RSS feeds to learn about
flight delays through either airline-specific
feeds or general flight delay feeds.
Example: Airline News Today - http://airlines.einnews.com/news/flight-delays
About the Author:
Sharon Housley manages marketing for FeedForAll
http://www.feedforall.com
software for creating, editing, publishing RSS
feeds and podcasts. In addition Sharon manages
marketing for RecordForAll http://www.recordforall.com
audio recording and editing software.
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