A couple of people mentioned that my previous post on Google OpenSocial was too long and needed a five sentence elevator pitch style summary. Below is the five sentence summary of my analysis of Google OpenSocial that cuts through the hype and is just the facts.

OpenSocial is billed as a standardized widget platform for the Web, it isn't. OpenSocial is a standard set of REST APIs which social networks can utilize to expose user profiles and relationship data. Everything else required by a widget platform from authentication and authorization to user interface integration and an application directory is unspecified. OpenSocial is to a standardized widget platform as an internal combustion engine is to an airplane. A step in the right direction but still very far from the end goal.

Hope that helps. I have to go rake some leaves and run some puppy related errands so I might be slow in responding to comments over the rest of the day.


 

Sunday, November 4, 2007 8:16:25 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
Raking leaves? I can't believe you got married. You could've been a rich single stud instead of some schmo who does yard work. You're such a little bitch.
Halfa Dollah
Sunday, November 4, 2007 8:37:20 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
Dare,

Touche!

--rj
Monday, November 5, 2007 2:46:51 AM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
I don't think it's fair to summarize, describe what the OpenSocial is yet. It's not even version 1.0 yet, it's 0.5.

Additionally, I don't think it's even a widget platform either. Clearly if you think so, you aren't developing under it so why do you get to decide what it is? I am most certainly creating an application NOT a widget.

Your description is VERY inaccurate.

I will say this, Facebook's platform is far superior but it's not say it will be in the long run. OpenSocial can't be metaphorically described as just a step, it's more of a little boy wandering around soon to grow up to be a corporate genius and literally fuel a lot of the web that is duct taped today.
Monday, November 5, 2007 6:56:04 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
I agree - OpenSocial is just an API pattern. Semantics may vary with vendor.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007 2:13:27 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
I'd love to hear what is and isn't a widget, Suhail. Seems to me that if you are running inside a container on a 3rd party website with other elements not under your control running alongside that what you have created is a widget.

Afterall, a widget is an application. It has logic, persistence, a presentation layer etc. Widgets are getting a bad rap from the ten thousand or so weather/clock/soduko widgets out there. Don't let them taint the idea for you.

And Dare, I'd be interested to read what you think a standardised widget platform requires?
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