Re: [syndication] advice for syndication novice

["Isofarro" <yahoosyndication@isofarro.uklinux.net>]

> I am a newcomer to the RSS world.

Welcome!

> Any advice on which tool to use to
> a)track feeds on selected topics

Depends largely on what platform you are using (Mac, Windows, Linux), and
whether you prefer an installed application or a web-based interface. Dave
Winer's supplied list should cover all of these.

I've used AmphetaDesk which works on most platforms, but isn't too conducive
to presenting the info from lots of RSS streams. I've recently switched to
NewsGator which works within Outlook - I'm hooked.

> and b)output these feeds to an HTML page (my personal site).

This depends on what you have available on the server for scripting.
I use PHP, and I've found the magpie classes exceptionally useful. Each
scripting language has a decent collection of on-the-fly RSS->HTML
conversion scripts.
If you are out of luck in terms of server side scripting, then that leaves:
Javascript - unfortunately then it only works when your visitor has
javascript enabled.


> What's the state-of-the-art, easy-to-use syndication tool
> that does not required sophisticated programming skills other than
> HTML and simple XML? Many thanks.

Can I phone a friend?


Mike