Terminology and Anatomy of an OpenSocial Application

Ning OpenSocial Application Terminology

This document will use the following terms to describe components included in the Ning OpenSocial implementation.

Anatomy of a Ning OpenSocial Application

An OpenSocial Application on Ning is comprised of the following parts, which combine to form a feature to compliment any of the hundreds of thousands of social networks on Ning. As an Application Developer, here is a checklist of components which should be utilized, as well as an overview of the relationship between these components:

1. Profile View
2. Canvas View
3. About View
4. Latest Activity
5. The Ning Application Directory

Profile View

Like any of our out-of-the-box features, OpenSocial Applications can integrate directly in a member's profile page using the Profile View. The application will be displayed as a module in the center column, and can interact directly with the member. The Profile View helps members customize their profile pages and allow other members to discover and learn more about applications on the network.

Here are the recommended dimensions:
Width: 502px (Any feature less than this width will be centered in the column)
Maximum height:  There is currently no height restriction but will be in a future release.

Canvas View

The Canvas View is the full-page view of an application. You can take advantage of a full page to expose more functionality than can be displayed in the Profile View. The Canvas View can be accessed by clicking the 'View Application' link on the Profile View.

Here are the recommended dimensions:

Width: 737px (Any feature less than this width will be centered in the column)
Maximum height:  There is no height restriction.

About View

The About View is your Application's information page, and allows members of the social network to view the description and screenshot of your application. In a subsequent release, we'll also include information about the developer and number of members using your application, as well as a button to add it to the viewer's profile page.

Here are the recommended dimensions: 

Screenshot width: 502px
Screenshot maximum height: 1000px
Max file size: 150KB, non-transparent .gif/.jpg/.png

If a member has not added the OpenSocial Application, a member can click on the "Add to My Page" button in the upper right hand corner to add the application to their profile page:

Profile Page Sub-Navigation

If a member has installed your application, there will be a link to all applications that have been installed by a member. Clicking on that link shows applications in greater detail.

Latest Activity module

Your Latest Activity module shows all recent activity of members on a social network, and members who add features to their Profile Page will also be reflected as Latest Activity.  As an Application Developer, you also have the ability to add updates in the Latest Activity module on Member Profile pages.

The Ning Application Directory

This is where members of a social network can add an application to their profile page. Along with the applications in the Ning Application Directory, members have a way of directly adding OpenSocial v0.7 Applications by URL.

• Terminology and Anatomy of an Ning OpenSocial Application
• Ning OpenSocial Application Tutorials
• Testing and Submitting Your Ning OpenSocial Application
• OpenSocial Best Practices, Known Issues & Other Resources
• OpenSocial APIs Supported by Ning