Microsoft is expected to announce today its proposal for an extension to Really Simple Syndication (RSS) that would allow the information-distribution standard to better support ordered lists, CNET writes. Currently, RSS feeds are ordered by time sent, but Microsoft wants to add ordering information so that feeds can handle items of information ordered in some other fashion, not by the date of their creation. For example, feeds could be issued according to a project timetable, rather than the date stamp of when entries for such a schedule were created.

The idea is to expand the use of RSS, which is now used mostly by bloggers, other publishers, and podcasters that new content is available. A formal announcement of the effort is expected Friday at the Gnomedex conference in Seattle. Microsoft admitted that it is backing the effort for ordered lists but would not provide details.

Apparently, RSS is being fully integrated into Microsoft's Internet Explorer, with an entire team at the company devoted to RSS-related efforts.