Open standards everyone uses is the key to developing popular applications. So, if you want to reach more than 500 users with your social application, the OpenSocial standard should be your choice. The OpenSocial API (Application Programming Interface) will allow you to build applications to work with MySpace, Orkut, Ning, Hi5, LinkedIn and many more. It uses the google gadget and with google behind the code, you know it’s solid.
If you build web applications, the development software you use is crucial. Aptana Studio has loads of features for web developers. It has ruby on rails, Ajax and Adobe Air built-in. Instead of focussing on HTML it uses Javascript, which allows you to build rich Internet applications. Jennifer Kyrnin gives it a 3-star rating. And as it’s open source software, it’s free, and has a thriving developer support community.
As users we all know how much of a joy it is when a website loads and reacts quickly, and as designers and developers we are all drilled in how we must develop fast-loading pages, especially images. But how? Google understood the need for speed with it’s home page design. There are ways to speed things up and Bryan Eisenberg shares some of his tips with us.
But if you’re not yet an accomplished developer, and just starting out, the easy start tutorials are the best. Here is a simple tutorial on how your pages should be laid out by Curtiss. I like this article as he explains it all so clearly. It’s worth a read if you want to ensure your site works properly for both visitors and search engines.
Developing web applications, or commissioning others to develop them for you, is an exciting place to be right now. I’ve never seen so many new programs, especially ones that use the social web. True interaction is the future of the Internet. MySpace, Facebook and lots of other start-up enterprises have figured this out already.
When are you going to join them?
