Make changes to static content with response body substitutions
Tweak the HTTP response body with regex substitutions. Apache HTTPD configuration example shows changing the URL tracking parameters in a syndication feed file.
Syndication feeds
Feeds and syndication is an importent component of the open web. I blog about the technology and its adoption, as well as ways to optimize feeds.
Many feed readers don’t handle plain text with XML-entities correctly
Plain text isn’t HTML. Many clients decode it as XML and then strip away the resulting HTML anyway. The spec is clear, but many implementations are buggy.
Combat article theft by delaying RSS feeds
I tried and succeeded in fighting back against RSS content scrapers by slightly delaying RSS feed publication.
Pocket Casts’ desktop apps are okay
I listen to podcasts at my desk, and Pocket Casts’ new desktop apps (based on their web apps) means I don’t need my smartphone to enjoy them comfortably.
New Google Podcasts app: who needs data portability anyway?
The new Google Podcast app doesn’t play well with other podcast apps. It doesn’t support some podcast standards, or importing or exporting subscriptions.
Feed readers can be uniquely fingerprinted
Your list of RSS subscriptions is unique and it can be used to create a trackable and persistent device fingerprint.
Always care for old links after moving domain and reorganizing URLs
Create a URL transition-plan and create redirects for old URLs. Take a few minutes to avoid losing traffic when you move domain names or reorganize your URLs.
Best practices for syndication feed caching
Five best practices to reduce bandwidth requirements for feeds (Atom/RSS). Tips for reader and publisher implementations.
Syndication feed deltas help reduce subscription bandwidth costs
Feed delta updates strip away feed entries that the subscriber has already download and only transmits the update delta consisting of new entries.
Feed Delta Updates plugin for WordPress
Reduce the bandwidth cost of your WordPress RSS feeds using Feed Deltas.
Attack of the AppleNewsBot
A bug in the Apple News crawler caused it to get stuck in a loop sending 100+ requests/second to websites with HTTPS certificates issued by Let’s Encrypt.
Web browsers bring personalized news to their New Tab pages
New tabs in web browsers used to be just blank. Now there’s a rush to bring you news on the new tab.
Sleipnir browser focuses on news with Site Updates on New Tab page
Sleipnir auto-discovers RSS feeds from your most visited websites and curates a personal news feed on its New Tab page.
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Atom feed support in Nikola 7.4
Nikola has already supported RSS feeds. You now also get feature-rich Atom feeds starting with version 7.4.
Make RSS subscriptions more appealing with early-access
Entice and reward RSS feed subscribers with early access to new blog posts before everyone else.
Better presentation of RSS in web browsers
XML stylesheets can help visitors learn about and make better use of your RSS feeds by helping them get set up.