RSS thoughts: Categories and Summaries Mar23 '05
Blog categories, already!
I’ve been really trying, lately, to include blog categories, as a feature in my blog section.
Blog categories are simply one or two word subjects that are applied to each entry I write. This not only allows for better organization on my end – it let’s readers know immediately which category each post applies to, which is obviously a much more user–friendly approach.
For example, during your daily web browsing – if you see a new blog entry on this site – and after the headline, it says "In Technology," you may decide that you despise my "tech talk," and turn your attention to other sites or information.
In other words, instead of having to read or skim through my entries – you would know immediately what category each post applies to, and decide if you want to continue reading, based on that.
RSS <category> element
Also today, I learned there is support for categories in RSS – which is the XML file I use to syndicate my content – so it is available to other applications, such as Bloglines:
The support for RSS categories involves an element that simply looks like this:
<category>Technology</category>
Of course, you’d change technology to whatever the category may be.
Then... back in Bloglines, you’ll see your category element in action (I’ll use Mike as an example):
Notice the "In Technology" part, right below the blog headline.
Onto another similar topic...
Types of RSS feeds
Some sites (including this one) offer blog feeds as a full post (where you can read the entire post in your RSS reader), or as summaries, where you see only a brief sentence or two regarding the post.
It all depends on user preference. I prefer to have full posts show up in my RSS reader, so I only have to visit the site to leave feedback.
As a web author – no matter what your preference – it’s good to offer both types of feeds.
In a perfect world, there would be both types of feeds available for every site you visit. However, many sites only offer one type of feed. In other words, you don’t have a choice.
RSS Summaries lose focus?
When I am subscribed to a site that only offers a summary feed, I tend to lose focus of where I left off in the feed reader, to where I pick up at the actual site.
I have been thinking of a way to solve this dilemma.
To make my point more clear, let’s say the following is my summary feed for a new blog entry:
I went to the game today, and man was it great! There were so many fans, and I had to buy two orders of nachos and...
My subscribers would see this in their feed reader.
For those interested in reading further, they would click on the headline (in their feed reader), and be taken to the permalink for that entry at my site.
However, upon arriving at my site – the reader must find the place where they left off, in the entry.
When reading an article or short entry, this can disrupt the flow of reading.
Indicator needed
In order to solve this problem, an indicator would be needed to help the reader’s eye focus on the point where they left off, in the article.
Categories: RSS 
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Interesting ideas, Dale.... I wonder how WordPress does that. Is there just a simple <a id=""> element at the ... Read more.
Personally, I prefer to get only summaries in RSS. I have hundreds of feeds, and very limited time to scan them, so I have to do it fast or I can n ... Read more.
Yeah, that's how it works. <a id="more-271"></a> is one such example, taken from ... Read more.
is published and produced by Matt Thommes - an independent publishing enthusiast, mobile blogger, content creator, informative writer, web developer from Chicago.
Never one to conform, Matt intends to promote the effect the web has on our lives, in an effort to intensify, instruct, and clarify all that is happening around us.
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With my old blog I only did summaries, they weren't even really that. Just the first few words or something. Since I've rewritten I now offe ... Read more.