Put RSS On Your Page

This is a very simple procedure. Even more so if you already have it set up on a Block Built page. The first part of this quick guide applies to those who are starting their rss from scratch. For those who already have it set up on a BB page, skip the first section of this page.

Since this was written, SBI has released a new module, called RSSIT. Quick and simple to use, you just put ***RSSIT*** onto your pages, and that's it....all done (once you have actually setup your rss look in Site Central, that is). However, if you want to do any SUBSTANTIAL customizing, you can't use that tag. So you will need to follow the procedure below.

What's substantial customizing? Well, suppose you want to use a fading background graphic behind the buttons. Or perhaps use diffent icons altogether. Or....maybe you want the buttons to be placed horizontally along the bottom of your header.

RSS from scratch

This help page will give you the URL needed to link with your XML feed. You can also copy and paste the other feed images into your image-files folder, and link those as well. You will see a link on this help page that goes to ANOTHER help page. And it is this one that gives you the URLs needed to link the yahoo, google MSN, and bloglines buttons. Look for the link that says click here for instructions on adding the above four buttons

If you are looking for a good selection of RSS icons, then I recommend this site. Dozens of free ones to choose from.

RSS without using the ***RSSIT*** tag

This is very easy. Take a look at the source code for your block builder page that has the rss info on it. The image on the left is the text box or table that holds the links, and graphics that you need to transfer to your new page.

So, view the source of the page, and find the rss code.Wher you find it, depends on where you put it when you originally built the page. It may well be below the navbar links. Just copy and paste that code straight into the new page, where you want to see it appear. So if you want it to be below you navigation, just paste it into the left column, directly below the ***navigation.shtml*** tag.
don't forget to add the class="jumplink" or border="0" to the image tags of your rss, to remove the background color on hover. You can read more about that on the jumplink tutorial page.

The "what's an rss feed?" link

One final point. You see that link for "what's an rss feed?" That takes you to a default page that explains rss. It's fine to just leave it as it is. But for those that want to, it's possible to put up your own custom page.

The file name of the page is what-is-rss.html, so if you create your own, and upload it, that is what you need to call it. Otherwise the link will break: alternatively, you can manually alter the link in the rss info, to point to your own page.Personally I find the default page to be just fine.