RSS2 feed contribution support

[Woodymon]

FYI, you can see the mod history notes by viewing the header comments in rss2.php in the latest version of Andrew's RSS2 mod (v.1.57 released 12-15-06) (not in the readme):

Ver 1.5.4:
1. Add Google Base namespace (http://www.google.com/base/help/rss_...tml?hl=en_US);

Ver 1.5.5:
1. Add price & currency tags (http://base.google.com/base/help/attributes.html);

Ver 1.5.6:
1. Add cPath parameter to 'categories' feed;
2. Some code optimization;
3. Fix link bug;

Ver 1.5.7:
1. Use $_SESSION["currency"] and $_SESSION["languages_code"];
2. Some code optimization;
3. Fix '&language=' bug;

Woody

[NamSingh]

Yes, I've had a look at his latest version of the contrib now and he has put in Google Base switch. Enabled by default. From what I remember he put in a switch last time to generate the required rss.xml file. You then had to download it and put in the root of your server. I had a quick scan through his new rss2.php but can't see any switch.

Here's the code near the bottom

function rss_feed_out() {
header('Last-Modified: ' . gmdate("r") . ' GMT');
header('Expires: ' . gmdate("r", (time()+600)) . ' GMT');
header("Content-Type: " . $this->content_type . "; charset=" . $this->encoding);
header("Content-disposition: inline; filename=rss.xml");

Andrew if you read this!! Explain your new features please

[a_berezin]

2Woody,
You see the history notes and what? What conclusions?

2NamSingh
What "new" features to explain?

[NamSingh]

Hi Andrew,

ok. How do we produce the rss.xml file. Have you put in a switch in the code??

and how can we specify it ready for GoogleBase using their format/structure?

[Woodymon]

2Woody,
You see the history notes and what? What conclusions?

I was making a FYI to those who may have missed obsering the history info, as it was not in the readme. I have yet to come to any conclusions ;-)

2NamSingh
What "new" features to explain?

I think Nam, just like others have, was inquiring on how to apply/utilize/comprehend the various "features" and/or code updates you've introduced in the last few versions. From my perspective there is not too much info available to go on.

Woody

[a_berezin]

Hi NamSingh,
ok

How do we produce the rss.xml file. Have you put in a switch in the code??

Now in any way.

and how can we specify it ready for GoogleBase using their format/structure?

The GoogleBase service is not interesting to me, therefore I don't plan to do its support in rss2. But I use GoogleBase name space so it allows to add in rss2 some additional useful fields.

[a_berezin]

Hi Woody,

I was making a FYI to those who may have missed obsering the history info, as it was not in the readme. I have yet to come to any conclusions ;-)

I think Nam, just like others have, was inquiring on how to apply/utilize/comprehend the various "features" and/or code updates you've introduced in the last few versions. From my perspective there is not too much info available to go on.

Sorry. Yes, this is not a release or release candidate version and so empty readme and no description The basic reason - complete absence of interest to rss2. Probably because of misunderstanding importance of this marketing tool.
Everyone think that most important is sefu, but actually most important - most complete and various representation of the information.

[Woodymon]

Hi Woody,

Sorry. Yes, this is not a release or release candidate version and so empty readme and no description The basic reason - complete absence of interest to rss2. Probably because of misunderstanding importance of this marketing tool. Everyone think that most important is sefu, but actually most important - most complete and various representation of the information.

I completely understand. Your RSS mod is targeted at developers who already understand RSS/XML.

I agree, RSS/XML content feeds are now very important "marketing tools". And I do think there is much interest in RSS from shopowners. Many just do not know how to harness the power of RSS/XML technology and do not understand the benefits.

We see many hits coming from other affiliated websites where we display different variants of the shopping cart feeds generated by your RSS mod. And also we have a blog linked to the shop which receives many visits due to links to RSS feeds.

I'm wishing for advancement of your mod in several areas, in regards to integration into Zen Cart, the understanding of various applications of RSS2 from a shop owners perspective (export RSS/XML for both internal and external uses including GoogleBase and tips on how to access/display that info both internall on the shop pages and externally), and in the area of documentation (how to set-up/edit/validate/publish/submit a working feed).

I've learned a lot about RSS from the user side but I need to gain more knowledge on the developer side before I can be much assistance in such an effort. But I would like to help out in anyway I can, e.g. in areas of documentation etc.

As a review, RSS is a standard for expressing feeds as XML. For those new to RSS feeds start playing and see how other web-based content publishers (including shopowners) are applying RSS technology. An easy way to gain understanding of RSS basics is to sign up for Google RSS Reader service (web-based reader) or employ a desktop reader (like FeedDemon, npt free) or other "news aggregator" or "feed reader" and other RSS feed tools. Some popular RSS feed reader add-on's for Firefox include Sage, Wizz, Info RSS, etc. (Personally I'm not very fond of Live Bookmarks). IE7 now has new RSS search features, etc, And Firefox3 is suppose to integrate RSS reading at a much higher level than previous. For some info about publishing visit the Feedburner site. And be sure to learn about linking to Technorati, Digg and del.icio.us.

Resources:
https://addons.update.mozilla.org/se...=E&app=firefox
http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/feed101
http://labnol.##########################/2006/07/f...d-new-rss.html
http://www.google.com/reader

Woody

[NamSingh]

Woody, I would also like to assist in any way I can. I have a few good ideas for making a more complete and user freindly mod. E.g. customisations. I will have a good think and update this thread with my thoughts and start on googlebase as my first task. I would like a mod that links straight into their feed. Andrew has done a top notch job on producing a full RSS feed ;)

[gsh]

rss2.php returns 1000 zen catalog items for me in Windows IE ?

Is this an rss2.php paramter , or IE?

thanks - GARRY