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PC Knowledge Base - Sub Channel Elements

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There are various sub-elements in the channel element - specifically the "image" element. Crtitical Point - None of these are required EXCEPT for the command line of:

<CHANNEL></CHANNEL>

However it's a good idea to include some of them. The purpose is to create an RSS feed template that you can use, and what is known as a "well formed XML document" which will pass validation with flying colors.

Possibilities within a Channel element are all meant to actually "publicise" the information for the entire web site. Every bit of information you can get into your RSS template may help. Additionally, it is simply good practice to include some of these elements as the more RSS spreads the more they will be used.
First let the three sub-elements that are almost NEVER foundin an RSS template.

&diams Cloud sub-Element - This sub-element which will appear as follows:
<cloud></cloud>
Its purpose is to allow a processes to register with a cloud to be notified of updates to the channel. In other words the Cloud acts as a farm to feed out RSS feeds to "computers" connected to it. Sort of like a buffer.
&diams textinput sub-element - This sub-element is strange in that I have yet to find a use or clear description of what it is supposed to do. Mostly ignored by all.
&diams ttl sub-element - This sub-element announces announces its ttl = "Time To Live" to the aggregators before they should refresh the information from the source.
An example of this would be:
<ttl>180</ttl>
Which tells aggregator that it has 180 minutes before it must return to refresh the information from the source.

Now we are ready for Channel sub-element of image. The image defined here is the image usually asscociated with your RSS feed or your web page. In other words usually it is your LOGO.
Since the LOGO is of critical importance, as most people are visual and they do associate pictures with names, (as the Internet proves over and over again), you should take the time to get this into your RSS template. It is fairly simple so follow these four options within the sub-element of image.

. First we continue the list
<image>
Next we have the "Title" command. In here usually goes the name of the business, for example "Randy Pandy's Perfumery" . That is easy enough.
<title>Randy Pandy's Perfumery</title>
This next one is optional but good practice. This tells the parser how big your logo is, by width and height. If you don't know, just call up in a directory and run your mouse over the file or ask for its properties by right-click. It will tell you the height and width. Remember this is an RSS file, so make the logo a small size and keep its weight down. Good practice is no bigger than 250(w) X 150(h) (and that is huge) and no heavier than 20k.
<width>142</width><height>99</height>
Now you tell the parser in the "Link" command just where your web site is.
<link>http://www.randpandy.com</link>
And finally in the "URL" you tell the Parser through your RSS file just where the LOGO can be found on your web site.
<url>http://www.randpandy.com/images/randylogo.jpg</url>
And finally we close off the "image" tag.

The rss.xml file which will make our RSS feed now looks like

<CHANNEL>

<TITLE>Randy Pandy's Perfumery</TITLE>

<DESCRIPTION>RSS Feed for The Great Perfume Products Sold At Randy's Pandy's

Perfumery</DESCRIPTION>

<link>http://www.randypandy.com</link>

<language>en-us</language>

<managingEditor>randypandy@randypandy.com (Randy Pandy)</managingEditor>

<webMaster>webmaster@randypandy.com (Pandy Randy)</webMaster>

<category>Ecommerce</category>

<pubdate>Mon, 5 Dec 2005 23:00:00 GMT</pubdate>

<lastBuildDate>Sun, 4 Dec 2005 23:00:00 GMT</lastBuildDate>

<IMAGE>

<title>Randy Pandy's Perfumery</TITLE>

<WIDTH>142</WIDTH><HEIGHT>99</HEIGHT>

<LINK>http://www.randpandy.com</LINK>

<URL>http://www.randpandy.com/images/randylogo.jpg</URL>

</IMAGE>

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