It’s just data

What should the RSS validator validate?

Ah... Dare noticed the DOCTYPE in my RSS 0.91 feed. It turns out that my 0.91 feed is valid when compared to this 0.91 spec, but not this 0.91 spec. Dare said he modelled his RSS feed off of mine, but since he didn't copy the DOCTYPE, his actually is valid in neither as the Netscape version requires a DOCTYPE.

While on the topic of versions numbers, the RSS 2.0 spec says that in order to conform to that specification, the version attribute must be 2.0 It also says that a a version 0.91 or 0.92 file is also a valid 2.0 file. One of these two statements must be false.

As Dare noted previously, his RSS feed contains a relative URL reference. What is this supposed to be relative to? How does RSS Bandit handle relative URLs? This question is particularly appropriate for his RSS feed which not only has a separate relative path from his diary, but is even on a separate host...

The question as to what the RSS validator should validate is not an easy one to answer.

"It also says that a a version 0.91 or 0.92 file is also a valid 2.0 file. One of these two statements must be false."

If you change the version number.

Posted by Dave Winer at

As Dare noted previously, his RSS feed contains a relative URL reference. What is this supposed to be relative to?

to the <link> for the feed, of course.

Posted by Rodent of Unusual Size at

Again with the relative URLs

Phil Ringnalda: However, the <channel> <link> element is not at all required to be the base URL for relative links. Phil is right.  The specs are silent on this.  In fact, many people believe that relative links should be ...

Pingback from Sam Ruby: Again with the relative URLs

at

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