Please post a comment here only if it pertains to the article on this page, about e-mailing press releases. Thanks!

But if the term ‘webfeed’ was going to replace ‘RSS’, it would have done so by now. All its continued use does is to muddy the waters.

I think the extraordinary adoption of RSS feeds qua RSS feeds demonstrates that the name is not, in fact, an impediment.

It was bad enough when RSS forked to create two versions. It was bad enough when the differently named Atom came onto the scene. But at least they were distinct; there was something to them.

The term ‘webfeed’ is just marketing, and marketing of the worst sort, as it does not respect the user, it talks down to them.

I have introduced RSS to thousands of people over the years. The name has never been a problem. Indeed, it has a history and has a value. It has meaning and a hard-earned respect.

I think we lose that when we try to market RSS as though it were just some Madison Avenue creation. We turn it into, well, pablum. The whole point of RSS is that people are more than just consumers - and when we change the language, we turn our backs on that.

p.s. I’ve never heard of them referred to as ‘PC Cards’ - perhaps it’s a regional thing.

p.p.s. I’m glad you like my website. Thanks. (Oh, and I also wish the processor would leave my original : ) intact - I think people can understand that, too)

It frequently turns out that the adoption of a name such as “webfeed” corresponds to greater adoption. I’m glad we now call PCMCIA cards “PC Cards.” And, in 1980 no one knew what an IBM 5150 was — but everyone knows what an IBM Personal Computer is.

Cliff

I’m not trying to force anyone to adopt the term “webfeed.” I just held a contest to offer another option. I fully admit it’s not a perfect solution. No argument there.

If you or anyone doesn’t like it, then don’t use it. All I know is that yet-another-geeky-acronym like “RSS” is an obstacle to an awful lot of nontechnical people who otherwise would probably enjoy this new medium and reap considerable benefits from it.

But if you don’t like it, no biggie. I still like your blog, Stephen.

- Amy Gahran

It bugs me every time I hear the word. But they are not webfeeds. They are RSS feeds.

You say ‘RSS’ is tough for people to learn. Really? The same people who managed just fine with ‘aplitude modulation’ (AM) and frequency modulation (FM)? The people who are fine with RADAR and LASER? The people who can handle ‘HTML file’ or ‘JPEG image’?

You say they are webfeeds. But many - nay, most - RSS feeds are not even read on the web. They are distributed through ‘RSS readers’ - a client that does not need to touch the web at all. Calling them webfeeds misrepresents what they are and how they’re viewed.

You don’t want to confuse people? What about all those people out there who have finally caught on to the concept of RSS feeds - now you’re going to change the name?

Oh, I know, you want to promote a word. But I can’t support it, and every time I see it I want to be increasingly vocal about it.

p.s. agree with the comments about emailing press releases.