1. 08:59 6th Sep 2010

    notes: 19

    comments:

    reblogged from: mcdavis

    mcdavis: Random Programming Notes: This is a screenshot from Firebug’s timer for AJAX calls.  Each call is calling an internal PHP page that pulls an API from one of three different services (Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr).  Notice two are almost identical in response time (this happens nearly every time).   The one call that is different of the three (responding over 9 seconds after the call is originally made) is Tumblr. I’m glad Tumblr has an API at all, but it’s really quite lackluster. I know they could do better if they wanted to. Which brings up an interesting point: when you introduce an API, you are deciding to create a second type of customer - the developer. And that customer should be treated with equal respect as any other customer, even if there are fewer of them. Too often companies will release an API because they can or because they should, and then leave it to rot. If you’re going to do it, do it all the way.

    mcdavis:

    Random Programming Notes: This is a screenshot from Firebug’s timer for AJAX calls.  Each call is calling an internal PHP page that pulls an API from one of three different services (Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr).  Notice two are almost identical in response time (this happens nearly every time).  

    The one call that is different of the three (responding over 9 seconds after the call is originally made) is Tumblr.

    I’m glad Tumblr has an API at all, but it’s really quite lackluster. I know they could do better if they wanted to. Which brings up an interesting point: when you introduce an API, you are deciding to create a second type of customer - the developer. And that customer should be treated with equal respect as any other customer, even if there are fewer of them. Too often companies will release an API because they can or because they should, and then leave it to rot. If you’re going to do it, do it all the way.

     
    1. bussefn reblogged this from stoweboyd and added:
      I’ve dealt with...least one company who put out...bragged...
    2. stoweboyd reblogged this from caterpillarcowboy
    3. mcdavis reblogged this from j2d2 and added:
      The better the API, the better the possible experiences through the service/platform. Let Twitter serve as a great...
    4. j2d2 reblogged this from whitneymcn and added:
      Though I generally agree, I think there are reasons to do some things part of the way, instead of the full way....
    5. whitneymcn reblogged this from caterpillarcowboy and added:
      I had a conversation a couple of months ago with a wise and sage gentleman who casually tossed out the idea that APIs...
    6. caterpillarcowboy reblogged this from mcdavis and added:
      I’m glad Tumblr has...at all, but it’s really quite lackluster. I know they could do...
    7. polaroidnotes said: what does this mmeeaann????
    8. mcdavis posted this
     
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