social computing

TechCrunch reports that Google’s OpenSocial will go live tomorrow. I’ve been waiting for this kind of technology to emerge, and it’s no surprise that it comes from Google.

OpenSocial “is a set of common APIs that application developers can use to create applications that work on any social networks (called “hosts”) that choose to participate.” In effect, that means it’s “an easy way for developers to create an application that works on all social networks.”

More specifically, “OpenSocial is a set of three common APIs, defined by Google with input from partners, that allow developers to access core functions and information at social networks:

• Profile Information (user data)
• Friends Information (social graph)
• Activities (things that happen, News Feed type stuff)

Hosts agree to accept the API calls and return appropriate data. Google won’t try to provide universal API coverage for special use cases, instead focusing on the most common uses. Specialized functions/data can be accessed from the hosts directly via their own APIs.”

Marc Andriesson has a great post on OpenSocial too.

One more thing… it’s a beautiful day here in Lewes DE where I live. I’m about to go for a walk — check out the links above, then maybe you should go for a walk too?