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Web Feeds (Podcasts)
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Web Feeds (Podcasts)
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Web Feeds are a method of broadcasting frequently updated web content (such as web pages, downloads, and ‘Podcasts’) across the Internet in a format that allows users to subscribe to be informed when more content is available.
There are 3 stages to a typical Web Feed:
In order to create a web feed, content must be made available on the Internet with a web address. Once this content has been made available, there are two methods of broadcasting web feeds; RSS and Atom.
A ‘Podcast’ is a term generally given to a web feed that broadcasts downloadable audio or music files. (Originating from broadcasting content to a computer, suitable for Apple’s iPod player)
Subscribing to a ‘Podcast’ web feed will set up your computer ready to either automatically download, or create a link to any new/updated content.
It is possible create, broadcast and subscribe to web feeds that contain almost any file types. For example, if a user subscribes to a newsletter web feed (in Word or .pdf format), when a new newsletter is added to the web feed, the user will be informed by their web feed receiver software.
(Please note: you will need to have the appropriate software to view these files, and the settings for the receiver software will determine whether any new/updated content is downloaded automatically or manually.)
How do I create a cLc Web Feed (Podcast)?
The cLc ‘Web Feeds’ are a method of broadcasting the web address (URL) of a cLc folder of resources across the Internet, enabling users to subscribe to either automatically download, or create a link on their computer to any new or updated resources placed into the cLc web feed folder.
When setting up a cLc folder of resources as a ‘Web Feed’ it is possible to include any type of cLc resource from; Downloads, Custom Pages, Forums, Surveys, Links and Tasks.
Please note: Some web feed receiver software may place restrictions on the type of cLc resource it will allow. (For example Apple’s itunes software currently only allows subscription to specific downloadable file types.).
The cLc Web Feeds are created using the cLc resource folders. Web Feed folders are added in Resources
Once a Web Feed folder has been created, resources can be added to, edited and deleted from the folder in the usual way. How do I add Resources?
Where do the cLc Web Feeds appear within the cLc?
The ‘Web Feed’ Folders are accessible to those cLc users as defined by the resource and group access restrictions. They will appear in the Group Nav bar if they are in a top level folder, or in the folder structure if they are in a subfolder (reached by clicking on the top level folder in the Nav bar).
How do you subscribe to a cLc web feed ?
There are 2 ways to subscribe to Web Feed on the cLc:
1. Via the Web Feed page: this page is reached by clicking on the Web Feed title when accessed via the Web Feeds tab on the user's My Homepage. This method is recommended for users that are not confident with Web Feeds and users that do not have Internet Explorer 7 or Mozilla Firefox (2.0.0.2 and above). This is also the quickest way to subscribe to a feed using iTunes.
2. Directly via the 2 icons next to the Web Feed folder: . This method is recommended for users that are confident with Web Feeds, or are Internet Explorer 7 or Mozilla Firefox (2.0.0.2 and above) users.
Web Feed page route
If you click on the Web Feed name link, you will be taken to a page explaining exactly how to subscribe to the feed.
At the top of the page, you will see the RSS and Atom icons and an iTunes icon. All of theresources that are in the Web Feed folder are listed, and can be accessed directly by clicking on them.
Internet Explorer 7 and Mozilla Firefox (2.0.0.2 and above) both have inbuilt web feed receivers. Simply click on the RSS or Atom icon at the top of this page, and then select the 'Subscribe Now' or 'Subscribe to this Feed' option.
iTunes users can automatically subscribe to this web feed by clicking on the iTunes icon 
.
If you are not using one of the above web browsers, in order for you to subscribe to this web feed you will need to have installed some web feed receiver software (such as iTunes, Juice, or Doppler) onto this computer. Then follow the steps below (also displayed on the Web Feed page)
1. Click on either the RSS or Atom icon at the top of this page.
2. Copy the web address (URL) from the top of your browser.
3. Paste this URL into your web feed receiver software. (The details of how you do this will vary depending on your receiver software but you should look out for buttons or links which say "Add" or "Subscribe" to web feed/Podcast.)
Icon route
Simply click on the RSS or Atom icon. If you are an Internet Explorer 7 and Mozilla Firefox (2.0.0.2 and above) users, you will be taken to the inbuilt web feed receivers where you can then select to subscribe to the feed by clicking on 'Subscribe Now' or Subscribe to this Feed'. If you are not using either of these web browsers, you will need to copy the URL, as described in the steps above.
Alternatively, hover over either the RSS or Atom icons next to the web feed title, use the right click mouse button, and copy shortcut address.
Please note: Atom and RSS feeds are different types of web feeding and can both be used in most web feed receiver software.
What do the cLc Web Feeds look like?
This will depend on how your computer is set-up to receive a web feed. If you are using the following types of web browser then the web feed will automatically store any updated or new content:
Internet Browsers:
Web Feed Receiver Software: