RSS Alerts and Subscriptions
The RSS Alerts and Subscriptions page explains how FRELIP uses RSS and OPML technologies to deliver up-to-date information from open access journals and how users will be able to subscribe to tailored alerts.
The RSS Alerts and Subscriptions page explains how FRELIP uses RSS and OPML technologies to deliver up-to-date information from open access journals and how users will be able to subscribe to tailored alerts.
What Are RSS Feeds?
- RSS (Rich Site Syndication) is a standard format that allows websites to publish updates such as new journal articles, issues or news items.
- An RSS reader or compatible interface can automatically collect these updates and present them in one place.
How FRELIP Uses RSS and OPML
• FRELIP harvests RSS feeds from thousands of OA journals and organises them by subject category.
• The Journal Feeds page displays these items with bibliographic details and links to full text.
• OPML (Outline Processor Markup Language) is used to package sets of feeds, making it easier to manage subscriptions across many titles.
FRELIP is developing a subscription layer that will allow users to:
- Subscribe to individual journal feeds – for example, a specific law or engineering journal.
- Subscribe to subject-level feeds – such as Law, Linguistics, Agriculture, Artificial Intelligence or Higher Education.
- Export OPML bundles that can be imported into personal RSS readers.
- (Where implemented) receive email alerts summarising new articles in selected feeds.
Status of the Subscription Service
These subscription tools are FRELIP initiatives that are still in progress. The underlying RSS harvesting is active and powering the Journal Feeds page, but the user-facing subscription management interface is under development and testing.
Using RSS Today
While FRELIP finalises the integrated subscription tools, users can:
- Browse the Journal Feeds page to see the latest articles in major disciplines.
- Where RSS links are provided, copy them into their preferred RSS reader.
- Monitor this page and the Donation and Support page for updates on the subscription roadmap.
Benefits of RSS Alerts
- Timeliness – know as soon as relevant articles are published.
- Efficiency – track many journals and subjects without visiting each site individually.
- Focus – customise alerts to the disciplines and journals that matter most to you.
Connecting Subscriptions with Other FRELIP Services
- Open Access Journal Feeds – RSS alerts will deepen engagement with the feeds interface.
- Discovery Service (in progress) – search results may eventually offer options to subscribe to updates on specific topics.
- Research Guides (in progress) – subject guides can recommend key feeds to follow.
This page sets expectations clearly: RSS-based subject and journal subscriptions are a core part of FRELIP’s vision, but they are still being built. Community support and feedback will help bring them to full implementation.