More Information on OpenSocial Applications and Gadgets
In a couple of weeks we'll be implementing something called Applications - it's a way for application developers to create features for a social network using the OpenSocial platform. There are big advantages in using OpenSocial to develop your Applications: As an application developer, you'll be able to access member profile information, friends lists, and even save persistent data across sessions, giving you the ability to create powerful applications without the need to dive into Ning's source code. And because OpenSocial has been widely adopted by other social networks such as Orkut, Hi5 and MySpace; OpenSocial Applications you write for Ning should be easily portable to other social networks.
Because we're fully committed to helping application developers use the OpenSocial platform to its fullest potential, we'll be offering a selected number of developers sandbox environments to make sure that Features on Ning work correctly. We'll also be making some changes to the Developer Network; changing the look and feel of the website, changing some of our forum categories, and adding an Applications Directory where members can grab and rate the best submitted Features. We're looking forward to making the new Developer Network THE resource where developers can learn about new Features for their social network as well as learn how to build their own features.
A: Ning Gadgets previously supported v0.5 of the OpenSocial. Ning Features will support OpenSocial v0.7 and offer access to additional social network information and more detailed documentation. Ning Features will also more closely follow the OpenSocial technical specifications, and can only be installed on a member's My Page page (vs. the network's Main Page, which will come later in October).
Q: What is OpenSocial?
A: OpenSocial is a set of common APIs standards - mostly based on XML and Javascript - for social networks. It was initially developed by Google but has been embraced by the wider social networking and application developer community.
Q: I'm an individual OpenSocial Application Developer or a company actively working on an OpenSocial Application that I would like to port to Ning. Can I get access to the application developer sandbox?
A: Yes! Please fill out the form. If you are chosen for the beta program, we will follow up with additional instructions via e-mail.
Q: What happens if I get accepted into the OpenSocial beta program?
A: If selected for the OpenSocial beta program, we will give you a social network sandbox with OpenSocial v0.7 implemented. The purpose of this social network is for you, the developer, to be able to develop and test your OpenSocial Applications with Ning. Editorially-selected applications will be featured as part of our new directory when the Developer Network is redesigned in September.
Q:What will happen to the old documents and tutorials that were previously on the Developer Network?
A: The URLs of tutorials and technical documents that currently exist on the Developer Network will still exist after the redesign.
Q: What will happen with Ning Gadgets?
A: Ning Gadgets will be discontinued once OpenSocial Features are implemented. Gadgets installed by members of your social network will be removed.
Q: I have a development question that isn't directly related to OpenSocial. Does this mean I no longer receive support?
A: Absolutely not! We still expect the Developer Network to be targeted at those who work with the PHP, APIs and CSS/Javascript that powers their social network.
Because we're fully committed to helping application developers use the OpenSocial platform to its fullest potential, we'll be offering a selected number of developers sandbox environments to make sure that Features on Ning work correctly. We'll also be making some changes to the Developer Network; changing the look and feel of the website, changing some of our forum categories, and adding an Applications Directory where members can grab and rate the best submitted Features. We're looking forward to making the new Developer Network THE resource where developers can learn about new Features for their social network as well as learn how to build their own features.
FAQ
Q: Didn't you do this with Gadgets? What are the differences between Gadgets and Features?A: Ning Gadgets previously supported v0.5 of the OpenSocial. Ning Features will support OpenSocial v0.7 and offer access to additional social network information and more detailed documentation. Ning Features will also more closely follow the OpenSocial technical specifications, and can only be installed on a member's My Page page (vs. the network's Main Page, which will come later in October).
Q: What is OpenSocial?
A: OpenSocial is a set of common APIs standards - mostly based on XML and Javascript - for social networks. It was initially developed by Google but has been embraced by the wider social networking and application developer community.
Q: I'm an individual OpenSocial Application Developer or a company actively working on an OpenSocial Application that I would like to port to Ning. Can I get access to the application developer sandbox?
A: Yes! Please fill out the form. If you are chosen for the beta program, we will follow up with additional instructions via e-mail.
Q: What happens if I get accepted into the OpenSocial beta program?
A: If selected for the OpenSocial beta program, we will give you a social network sandbox with OpenSocial v0.7 implemented. The purpose of this social network is for you, the developer, to be able to develop and test your OpenSocial Applications with Ning. Editorially-selected applications will be featured as part of our new directory when the Developer Network is redesigned in September.
Q:What will happen to the old documents and tutorials that were previously on the Developer Network?
A: The URLs of tutorials and technical documents that currently exist on the Developer Network will still exist after the redesign.
Q: What will happen with Ning Gadgets?
A: Ning Gadgets will be discontinued once OpenSocial Features are implemented. Gadgets installed by members of your social network will be removed.
Q: I have a development question that isn't directly related to OpenSocial. Does this mean I no longer receive support?
A: Absolutely not! We still expect the Developer Network to be targeted at those who work with the PHP, APIs and CSS/Javascript that powers their social network.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by anandan on -
You please Pass me the url
for OpenSocail 0.7, and the resources to develop Ning Applications. Please! I am eager to develop Ning Applicatons, Still I havent get the resources...
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Permalink Reply by Oliver on -
Is there a already a (fixed) date available for this new feature?
Thanks
Oliver
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