ToddSampson.com - Latest Comments in Succeeding with API-as-Product-Launch

Re: Succeeding with API-as-Product-Launch

Todd Sampson — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 20:02:11 -0000

Thanks for the comment Ben. There is a small amount of tongue-in-cheek in the post, but mainly just the last bullet point and following paragraph.

I do feel the API launch is a smart way to start a service or even, in some cases, a full product. I believe that we will see more of these types of releases very soon.

- Todd

Re: Succeeding with API-as-Product-Launch

Ben Metcalfe — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 14:01:19 -0000

Clearly there's a tongue-in-cheek tone to your post, but launching a product with a strong API from the beginning is very important - and I agree with most of the points you raise as being important factors into that.

Personally, something like the Google Social Graph API is not _product_ per se, but a service. Products are used by (normal) people, and the API on its own holds very little value unless it's integrated into something that the end customer can use.

To me, launching an API with your new product not only gives it geek cred and allows new kinds of sideways usage of your product to occur, but also shows you (probably/should have) built the product on top of the API anyway.... and API driven application development is where it is at.

Re: Succeeding with API-as-Product-Launch

Todd Sampson — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 04:30:51 -0000

Hey Chris... Glad you liked it.

As I was reminded in a meeting with some guys at Digg today, it is easy to get cynical about the ability to get data portability working. But it is really important for users and businesses alike. And as such, it is worth the fight.

So again, keep trying to heard the cats. I really hope you can pull it off.

Re: Succeeding with API-as-Product-Launch

Chris Saad — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 02:16:08 -0000

Wow Todd - I got a whole paragraph about me - why would I want to be in the bulleted list? :)

Well done on your API work - loving it.

Re: Succeeding with API-as-Product-Launch

Jon Henshaw — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 02:07:55 -0000

I like the idea of offering developers and incentive to get involved. That could be in the form of a contest, publicity or whatever.