- Posted by jfarrar on August 19, 2008
Well I've been pretty busy with getting things ready for the Xtended Contest. Let's just say there are going to be some pretty cool apps entered into it.The above picture shows a little bit of the latest application I have been working on for the contest. Anyone know what it is?
You'll find out soon :).
Stay tuned.
JoeDeveloper
0 comments
- Posted by jfarrar on July 8, 2008
Let me just start out by saying that today is a great day because of this contest. The reason for this cannot be better illustrated then by going to one of my first blogs on the site here. If you don't have time to read that I'll give you a quick rundown:
Broadsoft didn't used to have an easy way for any third-party developer to work with their platform.
No longer is this the case which is why I'm very happy.
I had already said that I think it makes complete sense to allow third-party developers to build against your platform. Granted we haven't seen the greatest success with sites like Facebook or MySpace and their third party developer network. However, before I get attacked for the blasphemy that I just spoke, things ARE getting better. Don't get me wrong there are plenty of good applications on Facebook and MySpace. However, by opening up your platform you do have to watch for the bad applications.
There surely are obstacles to launching an open platform, from the logistics to the legal to the implementation. However, regardless of all of these things Broadsoft has done it and done it well. Their platform is open to any developer who registers and requests a sandbox account. Additionally, there is now added incentive for the developer.
Here's the thing making applications is fun once you finish them, even fun while you are developing them. I'm definitely going to enter a few applications into the contest. I mean who doesn't want cash for what they do. Not only, do you get cash though, you get to be at Broadsoft's annual event called Connections. I've never been to it, but from what I have heard it's a blast. Additionally, it's a great way to network and show you product to potential buyers (carriers, customers etc).
In the short period that I've used Broadsoft Xtended I have been approached by several large service providers. Don't forget that Broadsoft's platform is in places like Cox, Verizon, Sprint; or as they put it:
"BroadSoft provides VoIP applications to 7 of the top 10 and 13 of the top 25 largest carriers worldwide, as measured by recent annual revenue, including Korea Telecom, KPN, SingTel, Sprint, Telefonica de Espana, Telstra, T-Systems, and Verizon"
Additionally, you (developers) don't have to know VoIP or telephony to benefit from this opportunity. Now granted, knowing some terms and how things work is important, but don't worry all of that information is accessible here.
You have until September 2nd, so get to it. Additionally, if you need any help post a question to forums on developer.broadsoft.com. The forums are very active and there are alot of knowledgeable Broadsoft engineers and developers on them answering questions real quick. I'm always interested in a cool web app, so I am looking forward to see what comes of this.
0 comments
- Posted by jfarrar on July 6, 2008
It's funny how we always used to call Win 3.1, Win 95 & 98 and even XP the BSOD (Blue Screen Of Death). Vista has improved, now they even call it the blue screen error lol (picture after the jump). However, you don't see the blue screen, or at least I haven't seen it yet, it just restarts and tells you it was the blue screen. Oooo "the BSOD was here".
Gotta love windows.
0 comments
- Posted by jfarrar on July 3, 2008
On a side note today was the second time that IE7 freaked out when I was on myspace. I closed one of my tabs on a myspace page and myspace (or some ads) started creating numerous tabs. So much so that my memory spiked and left me with the only option of ending the process (see image below). Take notice to the iexplore.exe process peaking my memory.
Still not sure why this happened, but it's definitely annoying and it's only happened on myspace.
Click image to view larger
4 comments
- Posted by jfarrar on June 26, 2008
Today, or I should say Yesterday, was a really cool day. Broadsoft officially launched their Xtended Platform, which includes their new RESTful API's called XSI. In my mind this is really awesome for a couple different reasons. From what I know, and what I have researched, there is NO ONE and I mean no one that is doing this in the telecom space. Especially not on the same level and caliber as Broadsoft.
Here you have a carrier-grade VoIP software platform provider who provides VoIP applications to seven of the top 10 and 13 of the top 25 largest carriers worldwide. This was measured by recent annual revenue, including Korea Telecom, KPN, SingTel, Sprint, Telefonica de Espana, Telstra, T-Systems, and Verizon.
Now any developer can access their API platform by going to here and creating an account. What will you have access to? Everything a normal Broadsoft user will have access to, however including the ability to program against their API layer.
What kind's of things can you do with this? Well you can do some simple stuff, for instance turn on or off Do-Not-Disturb. On top of that you have the full ability to build applications around the rest of the some 50+ base function calls.
What kind if things could you build?
-
A service configuration portal.
-
A call control virtual office.
-
A click-to-dial appointment system.
-
etc.
You basically have free reign to decide what you want to build. This is really going to open up the floodgate of web based voice 2.0 applications.
On another note it seems that there are skeptics out there regarding whether or not it will be successful. It also appears that the author is partial to Sylantro. Unfortunately, I can't say I had a great experience with Sylantro. Additionally, their developer program never caught traction. However, Broadsoft has already starting showcasing third-party solutions inside their marketplace.
I shouldn't even be linking to this negative article but here goes. Enough with all of the negativity. Do you homework as a blogger/editor and actually read about what's going on. I mean this guy Rich says "So-Called RESTful API".
So-called? What the heck do you mean so-called? It either is or it isn't there is not such thing called "So-Called". And I can tell you personally that it's not so-called. IT IS RESTful. Do your homework. Believe me when I say that there will be some mass market applications as time goes on the produce quite a bit of revenue. There will always be naysayers regarding whether or not something will be successful.
I for one am a developer that takes action and knows something good when I see it. Broadsoft has something good going on, don't miss out.
Go to: http://developer.broadsoft.com/ to signup for a developer account
or
Go to: http://marketplace.broadsoft.com/ to learn about applications already built.
UPDATE: Found this cool polling system called slantly, you can check it out above
0 comments
- Posted by jfarrar on May 11, 2008
I've been looking around the last couple of days at all of the announcements regarding the latest buzz word "Data Portability". It is interesting to see all of the major social players moving into the realm of data availability. This is much different then data portability, and should not be confused. Somehow it's been interpreted as the same thing. To most people it would just seem semantical, but it's really quite different.
Anyhow, it's interesting to see the competition and collaboration going on between Facebook, Plaxo, Myspace and Google in this area. You can read about facebook's platform "Facebook Connect" here. Myspace announced their platform Myspace Data Availability here. Google is planning on coming out with "Friend Connect" for OpenSocial, detailed here.
On a related note, it's ironic to see LinkedIn falling further behind the times in terms of their platform. I've really wanted to play around with their API, but it's completely closed to people that don't work for big companies. Right now they are only interested in PR. While they keep posting blogs and videos about their various integrations in to big named companies, I still have yet to see them announce (or even say for that matter) when they will open this up to developers as a whole. They have a ridiculous note at the bottom of each of these API posts that says if you are interested to contact them. However, when you do, there isn't even a generic reply sent back and I never got a reply back from a person. Logic would dictate that you have a few people dedicated to this email account, however it appears that only their lead guy gets them.
This is all well and good and I'm happy for LinkedIn. Really though, when will they learn that opening up something like this to all developers will begin to push them back into competition with the other social sites out there. Facebook has already started stealing LinkedIn users based on what I have read. Anyhow I guess this is turning into a rant so I will stop. It just frustrates me to no end when I read about an API, but it's all about PR and not really allowing developers access to use it.
On another side note. I looked around at the different LinkedIn implementations on the web. The javascript version could easily be put on any site. I tested it out from some websites I have and it worked great. They probably also have a server side API that is used by some of their partners.
Once again!
The Real JoeDeveloper
0 comments
- Posted by jfarrar on May 8, 2008
So I guess it makes sense to consume your own service and find out how it works. So I have added the click2message application to the right side of the blog. Try it out, it will actually call me (JoeDeveloper) and you can see for yourself how simple and powerful this service can be. We are underway with development to provide users the ability to manage their account on www.click2message.com and post the click2message flash application to alot of different social networking and blog sites.
Also we have updated the blog to be a little more colorful. Stay tuned for more information. We have some cool stuff on the way.
Thanks!
Joseph Farrar
The real JoeDeveloper
0 comments
- Posted by joedeveloper on April 23, 2008
It's official, we have launched the Click2Message application into beta. We have made some stability changes to the application and are continuing to make sure everything is running smoothly. If anyone needs help or has problems please don't hesitate to add a comment or send an email to click2message@joedeveloper.net.
Keep checking in for updates to the Click2Message application. Shortly we will be unveiling the website. This will allow you to manage your account as well as distribute the application to different social networking sites or even your own website. Additionally we have quite a few new features that we will be rolling out soon. Once again if you have any feedback or want to know more feel free to email us.
There has been some really great press regarding the application lately so please check it out:
http://www.broadsoft.com/Newsroom/Press2008/voip-application-on-facebook.htm
http://biz.yahoo.com/iw/080422/0389268.html
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24255832/
http://www.fiercevoip.com/story/broadsoft-and-joedeveloper-net-mashup-facebook/2008-04-22
Also don't forget that Broadsoft is at Web 2.0 in San Francisco.
Visit the BroadSoft Xtended booth (#220) at Web 2.0 Expo from April 23 to 25 for a live demo of the Click2Message Facebook application.
Thanks!
JoeDeveloper.NET
P.S.
Congratulations to Joseph and his Wife who just had their second child Micah.
0 comments
- Posted by jfarrar on March 25, 2008
Exciting news! Click2Message is now in beta. It's really actually is Alpha but who cares. When you have a team of a few developers it really all works out to be the same thing. So what is this all about and what the heck is Click2Message?
Click2Message is focused on enabling voice communication in the social networking space. It allows you to put a little "widget" on your social profile. This widget allows someone to put in their cell phone or any other phone number and click call. What happens is some cool magic with the Broadsoft platform. Immediately you will get connected to the person who put the widget on their page. This allows you to talk to them without needing to know their number.
Perfect examples are long lost friends, colleagues and more. Currently Click2Message is in Beta so that means there are a lot of things that aren't quite there yet. However, I feel it's better for this application to be shaped by the users and not by the company. Yes, while it ultimately has to be adopted into the application, I believe in user interaction and feedback to make it what you want and have what you want.
So what is there to look forward to in the next couple of months?
Shhh... don't tell anyone just yet:
-
Visual Voicemail (meaning you can read your voicemails instead of listening to them. All thanks to
simulscribe. this feature will cost... sorry)
-
Outbound calling (low cost outbound calling, meaning you can call out from the application)
-
Remind me (get pre-scheduled calls to your phone to alert you of an appointment or anything you choose it to be)
-
Blast a message (post out a audio file that your friends can listen to)
At least that's the general idea. There's actually a ton more ideas and cool features on the way.
So if this doesn't do the application justice then check it out on facebook.com!
It's currently in a private beta so once you install it you will need to go to http://www.click2message.com and put in a invitation code. The beta is open only to a limited amount of users doing this current phase, so don't wait to sign up. Invitation code is: BETAC2M
In case you are interested in any of the PR that's out there:
http://www.broadsoft.com/xtendedpr/
http://blogs.wsj.com/biztech/2008/03/18/business-software-gets-a-voice-makeover/
http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/17/broadsoft-going-up-against-ribbit-with-voip-platform-for-web-apps/
I'm excited to see this appliciation move forward. Its been awhile coming.
Until next time,
Joseph
4 comments
- Posted by jfarrar on February 14, 2008
After spending the last 10 days working off and on against the Myspace Developer Platform (MDP), I have released an initial version of a toolkit (class library) that integrates into the platform. It specifically integrates into the REST API's exposed by myspace. Eventually, I seeing the toolkit evolving with the platform and providing much of the same functionality that the facebook toolkits have provided. As long as there is a similar method by which myspace will allow developers to host pages on an external site and then setup a callback url everything will run well.
Some of the things that I wanted to get done with this library was the basic framework for posting the variables to the MDP API endpoint. It currently has not exposed a highly abstracted layer which would make calls to this request layer. I will be implementing this so that it is quite easy for any developer to access the data needed.
Some of the challenges that I faced while developing this toolkit resided with the authentication method that myspace is using. They are using the OAuth routine which is fairly new to authentication schemes. The general purpose behind it is that you can authenticate users without needing a username or password. You would need to use another piece of data to authenticate them other then a username or password. Then based on a some variables most importantly consumerKey, consumerSecret, Timestamp and then the method to generate a unique signature, you would be able to verify on the serverside that the request is valid based off of this unique hash using (HMAC-SHA1) and converting the result to a Base64 string.
I utilized an existing .NET class library (http://eran.sandler.co.il/ & http://oauth.googlecode.com/svn/code/csharp/OAuthBase.cs) that followed the spec to what I believe is exact. However, the class didn't seem to produce a valid signature and web address according to responses I was getting from the MDP API. You can read about all of my issues here. Needless to say after a few days and many forum posts and plenty of breakpoints I found all of the issues.
It mostly had to do with the way in which the query strings were being URL encoded as well as how the signature was being encoded. Once that was resolved making calls to the Myspace API was a breeze. Now, I'm looking at cleaning up the toolkit to provide that abstract layer in the form of a class called MyspaceClient. This would allow a developer for instance to make a call like:
MyspaceClient mc = new MyspaceClient(String apiKey, String consumerSecret, ... etc);
Datatable dt = mc.GetFriends();
I'm thinking of making it deserialize JSON if that's what is selected to be sent back, otherwise it would be deserializing and serializng of the XML.
Feel free to comment and send me your questions. Additionally, if you would like to join this project just shoot me your contact information to joe [at] joedeveloper [dot] net
Thanks!
Joseph Farrar
2 comments