Why RSS May be the Email Killer - Part 2
Author: Peter Lenkefi
In the first part of this article we discussed the three compelling features of RSS that will lure the mases of content seekers.
Namely, embedded video, 100% deliverability and spam-free information management.
But, before any of us permanently trades in our email account for an RSS Reader, a few things need to happen.
Until then, we will be doing double-duty... checking both our Inbox and our latest feeds.
WHAT RSS NEEDS BEFORE IT KILLS EMAIL
1. RSS Content Clients (like Outlook for RSS) As it stands, messages which are sent via RSS are usually composed inside some sort of blog or other similar content management system and published to the world. All the folks who have requested the RSS "feed" then receive that message into the RSS reader they check whenever it is convenient for them. Generally speaking, the entire group of subscribers gets every message.
Now, imagine a software application that works like an email client such as Outlook that allows you to create a message, format it, add video and audio and then send it to just one (or a selected group) of subscribers via RSS... All without having to publish that content to the world.
This would be the silver bullet solution to all the woes of email.
2. RSS to One or Selected Groups One of the current appeals of RSS at present is the fact that one can subscribe to an RSS feed anonymously. They are ensured of receiving only messages from that person or website (which is hopefully run by a person) and nothing else. Neither the website owner or the RSS service knows anything about the subscriber. This is a good thing and something that will continue to make RSS valuable.
However, at some point, a more personal RSS option should appear which allows the subscriber a choice. In the future, when someone chooses to subscribe to an RSS feed, they will have the option of sharing personal information with the publisher, perhaps just their name and a few selected interests.
They will be glad to do this for two reasons.
1. It will allow the publisher to send only content that matches their desired interests. (this is actually already possible but very few take advantage of it)
2. It will allow for private RSS communication between individuals and groups with all 3 benefits listed above - embedded media, 100% deliverability, spam-free.
WHAT KILLER-RSS WILL LOOK LIKE
In this new more advanced world, you will have our own personal RSS address. Not connected to a business or blog content, just to you personally. Yes, you may be thinking... "just like my email address".
When someone wants to hear from you, they will go to some fancy Web 2.0 service and subscribe to your personal RSS feed. They will sign-up for their own personal RSS feed and then subscribe to yours, providing you with their name (if they are a friend) and perhaps their interests if they are a business contact.
When you want to send them, and only them a message, you'll open up the fancy wysiwyg editor provided by the cool Web 2.0 service mentioned above, create a message and publish it.
Sounds like email right? Exactly...
The difference is, you publish the message not to your public blog but to a private space on the net and to your friend's RSS reader.
So, your friend checks their RSS reader, sees your name on their list of subscriptions, notices that you have published a message to them (and maybe a few other friends) and either reads the message in their reader or in the private space online.
So, as this shift occurs, what we are calling Killer-RSS will be viewed as an upgrade to typical email services with the added benefits mentioned above.
What do you think, will RSS be the email killer. If not, how do you see the RSS - email relationship working out? Visit Web2Center.com to join the dialogue.
