Document RSS feed creation and customization

Introduction

The Podcast Publisher module allows users to generate RSS feeds for podcasting using Drupal's Views module. This document outlines how the feed is generated, the settings available for adjustment, and how to customize the feed's output according to Drupal's documentation standards.

Generating the RSS Feed Using Views

Prerequisites

Ensure the Podcast Publisher module is installed and enabled.

Verify that the Views module is installed and functional.

Have content types and fields related to podcasts set up in your Drupal site.

Steps to Generate the RSS Feed

Create a New View:

Navigate to Structure > Views.

Click Add view.

Provide a name for the view (e.g., "Podcast RSS Feed").

Choose the relevant content type (e.g., Podcast Episodes).

Select "Provide a page" and set the format to RSS Feed.

Configure Feed Path:

In the view configuration, define the RSS feed path (e.g., /podcasts/rss).

Add Relevant Fields:

Add fields such as title, description, and media URL.

Ensure the fields comply with podcasting standards (e.g., iTunes requirements).

Set Field Format Options:

Click on the settings for each field to customize its output (e.g., use tokens for dynamic values).

Save and Test the View:

Save the view.

Test the RSS feed by accessing the defined path in your browser or feed reader.

Adjusting Feed Settings

RSS Feed Configuration

To customize general RSS feed settings:

Navigate to Configuration > Web Services > RSS Publishing.

Update the global feed settings such as the number of items to display, default feed title, and description.

View-Specific Adjustments

In the view configuration:

Filter Criteria: Use filters to control which podcast episodes appear in the feed (e.g., by publish date or taxonomy term).

Sort Criteria: Define the sorting order for feed items (e.g., newest first).

Feed Style Options:

Adjust title, link, and description fields.

Include additional namespaces (e.g., itunes:) for compatibility with podcast platforms.

Customizing the Feed Output

Custom Fields and Tokens

Add custom fields to the view to include additional metadata (e.g., episode duration, author).

Use the Rewrite Results option to modify field output using tokens.

Theming and Templates

To customize the feed's HTML/XML structure:

Locate the RSS feed template file in your theme (e.g., rss-view-feed.tpl.php).

Override the template by copying it to your theme’s templates directory and modifying it as needed.

Clear the cache to apply changes.

Hook-Based Customization

For advanced modifications, use Drupal hooks:

Implement hook_views_pre_render() to adjust the feed data programmatically.

Use hook_preprocess_views_view() to preprocess data before rendering.

Best Practices

Validate the RSS feed using tools like W3C Feed Validation Service to ensure compatibility.

Follow podcast-specific guidelines, such as those for iTunes and Google Podcasts.

Regularly test the feed to confirm its functionality.

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