I'm not sure the souffle analogy quite holds... OpenSocial is a bridge between a JavaScript widget and a social networking site. The social networking site exposes certain data and methods via a standard spec (OpenSocial), and any JavaScript widget that interacts using that spec can then run on the site. Granted, that's an oversimplification, but I think it's bringing more than just chocolate. Still, I agree that Google's motives weren't exactly altruistic.
I think the main problem with OpenSocial is marketing. The hype prior to launch led many people (including me) to think it was something other than it actually was. It fills a gap and I'm sure it will be useful to many developers, but it falls far short of what many were expecting and doesn't seem to theorized "open social networking" at all.
west
· 2 years ago
I'm happy to see that I can now create social applications for Ning, Hi5, and Orkut.. (ok in their sandbox at least) and have done so already..
So how is OpenSocial BS based on this key point? OK its technically not too complicated but it got social sites moving quickly and thats a big plus in my opinion.
In my opninion none of this stuff is very hard technically (Facebook is easy sneezy as well really)..its the adoption of this new type of platform that is the key for me.. and Google seems to be knocking that out of the park..
Jesse
· 2 years ago
west,
I agree that adoption/distribution is the key problem for OpenSocial to solve if they want to really attract mindshare, but I don't think they're done it yet.
That's a good point. Google isn't doing this out of the kindness of their heart. I think it's really funny that everyone floats the line about how Facebook could step in at any second and change the rules of the game, compete with apps, etc., but here is Google setting itself up to be in the same position.
Everyone just has "Google does no evil" intoxication, I think. They have their business interests, Facebook has theirs. That's the best perspective to analyze the situation from.
E Dewhirst
· 2 years ago
Call it the way you see it my man! Nice post and I love the way you cut to the chase on the noise going on around town.
What's that FB is going somewhere - quick run interference - button hook button hook - someone go deep for the hail mary!
I love it Nick
Cheers - Eric
Hashim Warren
· 2 years ago
OpenSocial is in version .5 right now.
FaceWeek.com
· 2 years ago
I don't know if its complete nonsense i think it was launched to showcase that google is on top of this industry and aware of its potential - hence in the process of developing for it.
Mark
· 2 years ago
I prefer the term "sucks", but "nonsense" will do!
Steven
· 2 years ago
You're saying this because you're a Facebook fanboy. Give Google's OpenSocial a chance dude.
Jesse
· 2 years ago
"Version 0.5", "in the process"
I call it a big load of "whatever." Put up or shut up. If you're getting the press you need to be able to take the criticism.
Evert
· 2 years ago
While the actual implementation might not be that interesting, what it means is much more..
E-mail has been standardized in the 80's, before that you could only email people who are on the same network as you. The same will happen for social networks at some point and this might be a first step in that direction..
It's a good thing for everybody.. Lets hope the privacy issues are solved before everything is open and standard.
bernie
· 2 years ago
"While Google’s current actions may be altruistic, I would argue that the reasoning behind Google’s actions are not."
This is an unnecessary comment. Google is a company that need to pursue its business goals. The fact that Google has wrapped its business model around openness, usability, and free stuff puts it head and shoulders above most companies in terms of overall positive impact.
You can't blame them for advancing their business, and I think you should actually applaud them for aligning their business goals with the interests of people who have no stake in the success business--the internet community at large.
OpenSocial will blow Facebook platform out of the water in a year or so. That's how I call it. Facebook got too arrogant too early. They challenged and angered the biggest businesses on the web, the developers on the platform have no loyalty to them, and users are starting to become wary of the privacy implications of features like Beacon. No one wants to be locked into a platform, and locking users in is Facebook's only weapon. You should consider changing the name of your blog to something more general.
All Comments
I think the main problem with OpenSocial is marketing. The hype prior to launch led many people (including me) to think it was something other than it actually was. It fills a gap and I'm sure it will be useful to many developers, but it falls far short of what many were expecting and doesn't seem to theorized "open social networking" at all.
So how is OpenSocial BS based on this key point? OK its technically not too complicated but it got social sites moving quickly and thats a big plus in my opinion.
In my opninion none of this stuff is very hard technically (Facebook is easy sneezy as well really)..its the adoption of this new type of platform that is the key for me.. and Google seems to be knocking that out of the park..
I agree that adoption/distribution is the key problem for OpenSocial to solve if they want to really attract mindshare, but I don't think they're done it yet.
See my article here about just that point: http://20bits.com/2007/11/07/memo-to-opensocial...
And Nick,
That's a good point. Google isn't doing this out of the kindness of their heart. I think it's really funny that everyone floats the line about how Facebook could step in at any second and change the rules of the game, compete with apps, etc., but here is Google setting itself up to be in the same position.
Everyone just has "Google does no evil" intoxication, I think. They have their business interests, Facebook has theirs. That's the best perspective to analyze the situation from.
What's that FB is going somewhere - quick run interference - button hook button hook - someone go deep for the hail mary!
I love it Nick
Cheers - Eric
I call it a big load of "whatever." Put up or shut up. If you're getting the press you need to be able to take the criticism.
E-mail has been standardized in the 80's, before that you could only email people who are on the same network as you. The same will happen for social networks at some point and this might be a first step in that direction..
It's a good thing for everybody.. Lets hope the privacy issues are solved before everything is open and standard.
This is an unnecessary comment. Google is a company that need to pursue its business goals. The fact that Google has wrapped its business model around openness, usability, and free stuff puts it head and shoulders above most companies in terms of overall positive impact.
You can't blame them for advancing their business, and I think you should actually applaud them for aligning their business goals with the interests of people who have no stake in the success business--the internet community at large.
OpenSocial will blow Facebook platform out of the water in a year or so. That's how I call it. Facebook got too arrogant too early. They challenged and angered the biggest businesses on the web, the developers on the platform have no loyalty to them, and users are starting to become wary of the privacy implications of features like Beacon. No one wants to be locked into a platform, and locking users in is Facebook's only weapon. You should consider changing the name of your blog to something more general.