CSS & RSS News Ticker: Create a Full Page Display
The Value of Timely News Coverage for Bloggers
For bloggers, remaining current with the most recent developments in their field is paramount. Establishing yourself as an early reporter of noteworthy occurrences enhances credibility – particularly when coverage precedes that of larger, mainstream media outlets.
The need for up-to-the-minute information is especially crucial for those who operate news blogs. My own experience with increased news-related content has underscored the significance of continuous, real-time news monitoring.
Utilizing Dual Monitors for News Streaming
Leveraging a dual-monitor setup with my laptop, I discovered the potential to dedicate one screen entirely to a live news ticker. This allows for constant awareness of breaking stories.
However, existing applications designed for streaming single lines of news, such as Yahoo Widgets or GlowDart, present limitations.
Challenges with Current News Ticker Applications
These applications often display only a limited stream of text, or they lack the customization options needed for a truly full-screen, visually tailored experience.
Finding a solution that balances comprehensive information display with aesthetic control remains a challenge for bloggers seeking to stay ahead of the curve.
Developing a Personalized Real-Time News Dashboard
Recognizing a need for a customized news presentation, I opted to construct a solution independently. Rather than dedicating time to developing a complete application from scratch, I chose to assemble a webpage incorporating embedded RSS feeds. This webpage could then be displayed in full-screen mode within a web browser.
The resources required for this project, and all that's needed to replicate it, include a freely available CSS webpage template – I selected a business template from SliceJack – and a Google account to access Google Web Elements and Google Alerts.
Below is the initial appearance of the SliceJack business template prior to any modifications.
I readily admit this is my preferred approach to webpage creation; I avoid unnecessary duplication of effort. The template already contained the elements I intended to integrate into my final news-streaming webpage.
The top two elements – the primary article and accompanying image – were deemed unnecessary and removed. My focus was on utilizing the three central columns of the page.
Upon downloading the template, the main index.html file is located in the root directory, with associated .css files residing within a 'stylesheets' folder. Examining the index.html file simplifies the identification of sections requiring modification. Initially, I edited the top bar to display "My News" and adjusted the menu links to correspond with additional news categories.
Page sections are typically identified using <div> tags. The "id=" attribute specifies the CSS element governing the formatting. In this instance, I simply removed the entire section defined by "<div id="sub-header">". The process is as straightforward as deleting the relevant section from the HTML code.
Next, I modified the right sidebar column to feature a live news feed from YouTube. Again, I located the section to be replaced using the <div> tags, finding the right sidebar within the "sidebar" div.
The original color of this section was undesirable (gray, which would clash with a white video), necessitating a change to white. I located the primary CSS file and searched for the corresponding ID. Finding "sidebar" within main.css, I altered the background color setting from #FFF to #000.
Integrating Widgets into Your Personalized Page
The exciting stage has arrived. After establishing the desired formatting, you can begin incorporating live streaming feeds into your webpage. Initially, let's focus on embedding the YouTube component from what was formerly available through Google Web Elements.
The process involves selecting your preferred news source and subsequently copying and pasting the provided code. Indeed, it’s possible to construct an entire streaming news page solely with Google Web Elements, leveraging the Google Reader element. However, our aim is to demonstrate the extensive range of sources available for real-time updates. Prior to proceeding, be sure to obtain the Google News Element and integrate its code into your page as well.
FeedWind represents another excellent platform for acquiring news feeds via RSS. Its appeal lies in its simplicity; you simply input the desired feed, customize the settings, and it generates a clean, embeddable widget for your page.
Furthermore, when tracking news within a specific area of interest, monitoring Google search results within that niche is crucial. Within Google Alerts, selecting "Feed" in the "Deliver to" section enables this functionality.
This feed URL can then be utilized in FeedWind to generate a widget displaying your Google Search results. With all these diverse news sources now embedded on the page, the real-time streaming news display is now complete. The top menu facilitates the creation of multiple pages, each featuring widgets that draw from targeted news sources.
Creating additional pages is now straightforward, having established the initial main page. As demonstrated, the CSS template provides a well-formatted page where you can seamlessly insert your various news feeds, resulting in a comprehensive, full-page real-time news display.
This solution surpasses many freely available streaming news ticker applications, and it also grants you the flexibility to tailor it precisely to your requirements – a key advantage of utilizing a webpage instead of a dedicated app.
Were you able to construct your own page following this guide? Did you encounter any difficulties, or perhaps discover other valuable resources for real-time streaming news widgets? Please share your experiences and insights in the comments section below.
Image Credit: ShutterStock
