Episode 3: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about RSS Feeds

Show Notes

Episode 3 of Libsyn Live covers two major topics.

The MLB and Copyright/Trademark Infringement

There was a ruckus caused across the podcasting community as show after show was taken down or warned for running a podcast based on the MLB or one of the MLB's clubs. The reason? Copyright and trademark infringements.

Moral of the story, don't use anyone elses content, images, or copyright material, including material in the likeness of. If you are hosting a show specific to a club (this is true whether it is Baseball, or any other topic), make sure to say 'Unofficial' in your titles, descriptions, and even when you speak during your show.

Everything You Want to Know about RSS Feeds

Question #1: What, exactly, is an RSS feed?

Question #2: What does it mean to have a 'valid' feed?

Question #3: Do I have to code a feed myself, or are there services available that will do this for me?

Question #4: What about the Google Service, Feedburner? How does it work and why should or shouldn't I use it?

Question #5: I run a CMS such as Wordpress, Joomla, or Drupal. My CMS automatically generates my RSS feeds from my posts. Can I just use that?

Question #6: If I use a podcast host, they probably generate a feed for me. Should I use that feed? Are there questions I should ask before determining if I should use them as a host or to handle my feed as well?

Question #7: I heard some producers say they host their files with Libsyn, but recommend not using Libsyn's feed. Why is that?

Question #8: I've heard there are some really popular Wordpress plugins that will handle my feed and podcasting needs for me. Is there any reason why I shouldn't just use that?

Question #9: If I am using a plugin in Wordpress, how do I switch to using my Libsyn feed?

Question #10: Are you then recommending that the only true way to have a great podcast is to only use LIbsyn for every service (Feed, hosting, stats, blog, player)?