Science Fiction and Fantasy

XML Channels

What is a Channel?

For our purposes, a channel is an XML Channel, typically a collection of hyperlinks, text, and graphics described by an XML document. Some sites also call them "content channels", but we prefer to specify the XML. "XML" stands for eXtended Markup Language and is similar to HTML. Some newer Web browsers are "XML-capable", meaning they can read and decode XML documents, thus presenting their information to readers with all the intended formatting. Older Web browsers will simply regard XML documents as raw text files and display all the XML code with the actual information and hyperlinks. You may determine if your browser is XML capable by clicking here and looking at the source file for our Harry Potter Channel. If the page you view is not formatted, then your browser is probably not XML-capable.

Since Xenite.Org began offering XML Channels, blogs have become popular. Blogs use the RSS standard (now redefined as "Really Simple Syndication" although it originally meant "Rich Site Summary") to publish feeds containing abstracts or entire posts. There are now many Web sites and tools that allow you to aggregate blog feeds for easy browsing. An XML Channel is very similar to a blog feed, except that the content is meant to be more static or longer-lasting than a blog feed.

XML Channels of this type have traditionally been used by so-called "start page" services such as My Userland to present specially formatted windows as part of a larger HTML document or page presented to the user (usually called a "start page"). Figure 1 (see left margin) provides an example of how a channel might appear as an embedded block of content in a Web page.

Depending on the service providing the channels, graphics and special controls for minimizing, removing, and compressing (removing the descriptions) or expanding (restoring the descriptions) the contents of the channels may be included in the actual presentation. Netscape introduced the first XML channel server service in the spring of 1999 (ironically, they discontinued the service in 2001). Theirs is presently the de facto standard for RSS file definitions, and at least one web tool for creating RSS files has been renamed in recognition of this standard.

The channel servers retrieve Rich Site Summary files, files named with the extension of .rss and composed in XML, and compile them into the specialized HTML code required for inclusion in their users' start pages. The service may or may provide its own channels. Some services, such as Web portals and search engines, may provide channels which are composed solely by their own employees.

Xenite.Org Channels

The Xenite.Org Channel
Award-winning science fiction and fantasy Web sites including essays, directories, posters, forums, and more. Xenite.Org has been entertaining and informing science fiction and fantasy fans since March 14, 1997. The RSS file is http://www.xenite.org/channels/rss/xenite-org.rss if you want to add it to a customizable page at MSN, Yahoo!, or elsewhere.

The Harry Potter Channel
Resources for fans of J.K. Rowlings' Harry Potter books and the "Harry Potter" movies based on the books. The RSS file is http://www.xenite.org/channels/rss/harry-potter.rss if you want to add it to a customizble page at MSN, Yahoo!, or elsewhere.

The Fringe Channel
Resources for fans of J.J. Abrams' television show Fringe. The RSS file is http://www.xenite.org/channels/rss/fringer.rss if you want to add it to a customizable page at MSN, Yahoo!, or elsewhere.

The Dark Angel Channel
Resources for fans of James Cameron's Dark Angel. The RSS file is http://www.xenite.org/channels/rss/dark-angel.rss if you want to add it to a customizable page at MSN, Yahoo!, or elsewhere.

The Electronic Publishing Channel
Resources about the electronic publishing industry. The RSS file is http://www.xenite.org/channels/rss/electronic-publishing.rss if you want to add it to a customizable page at MSN, Yahoo!, or elsewhere.

The Lord of the Rings Channel
News and information about The Lord of the Rings and related topics. Links are provided as a courtesy and do not imply or convey any affiliation or contract or representation between the Lord of the Rings Channel and other entities. The Lord of the Rings channel is a service provided gratis by Xenite.Org. The RSS file is http://www.xenite.org/channels/rss/lordoftherings.rss if you want to add it to a customizable page at MSN, Yahoo!, or elsewhere.

The Search Engine Channel
Resources for search engine optimization and Web site promotion. The RSS file is http://www.xenite.org/channels/rss/search-engine.rss if you want to add it to a customizable page at MSN, Yahoo!, or elsewhere.

The Spider-man Channel
Resources for fans of the Sam Raimi Spider-man movies. The RSS file is http://www.xenite.org/channels/rss/spider-man.rss if you want to add it to a customizable page at MSN, Yahoo!, or elsewhere.

The Xena Channel Web sites and resources of interest to fans of Xena: Warrior Princess. The RSS file is http://www.xenite.org/channels/rss/xena.rss if you want to add it to a customizable page at MSN, Yahoo!, or elsewhere.

The Andromeda Channel
Resources for fans of Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda. The RSS file is http://www.xenite.org/channels/rss/andromeda.rss if you want to add it to a customizable page at MSN, Yahoo!, or elsewhere.

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