Comments on: LinkedIn Launches OpenSocial Apps

By: business directory

business directory — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 12:08:06 +0000

One lacking feature I need is the ability to see what apps I have installed, e.g. a My Applications section. Sure, there aren’t many now, but I still want to see what I have installed.

By: Jake

Jake — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 08:45:50 +0000

Maybe Chris can get you in the door. He's all things to all people on this post

By: topperge

topperge — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 06:37:41 +0000

LinkedIn doesn't have a developer community site (at least its not public). The only way to get access to their APIs / container is to email them at developers@linkedin.com and wait for them to get back to you. I asked to be part of their beta a while ago and haven't heard a thing. I even emailed the guys in charge of the program directly. I know they're trying to make sure they aren't facebook slinging sheep, but you'd think an @oracle.com email address would warrant a reply. Heres to hoping!

By: Jake

Jake — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 04:39:46 +0000

I saw your Wiki announcement right after I published this, definitely a busy week.

Thanks for clarifying the details on cross-container apps. Knowing those will be critical as containers launch.

What about the availability of the LinkedIn apps, e.g. SlideShare, outside of LinkedIn? I suppose it's up to the developer, but inquiring minds want to know.

By: Chris Schalk

Chris Schalk — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 04:19:29 +0000

Hey Jake,
Nice write up!
Yes, regarding apps being installed on multiple containers, this is largely the responsibility of the developer to get his/her app into other containers, and yes there are some differences between containers. These differences, or extra-spec extensions can arise when individual containers provide their own value-add features, often specific to their own userbase, or theme.
The idea of improving cross container development to handle these issues is gaining traction though. So for example the new OpenSocial Wiki (wiki.opensocial.org) has a nice starting document describing cross container dev issues. See: http://wiki.opensocial.org/index.php?title=Cros…
We're hoping to get all the major containers to have content. We also need to add a LinkedIn entry now that they're live.
-Chris

By: Jake

Jake — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 03:01:54 +0000

Yeah, I was wondering about that. Maybe they're holding off on exposing that until the app directory launches. Theoretically, they should work on other containers, but I'm told by Anthony and Rich that this isn't as smooth as it sounds.

Aside from that, I would wonder about terms, etc. I'm guessing this will come in time; doubtful that Google would participate in a OS container that's closed, with non-reusable apps.

Never know though. Someone should ask Chris.

By: mcannonbrookes

mcannonbrookes — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 02:24:31 +0000

Jake - good review, pretty much paralleled my experience.

The one thing I couldn't find out (which I'm guessing both you and I have an interest in!) is whether these applications are available _outside_ LinkedIn? Where is the URL to Slideshare's OpenSocial app? Shouldn't it work on Connect?

m