MXit API - is MyBroadband going to cover it?

Rouxenator

Rouxenator

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Having been involved with the company that started MXit long before GPRS was even available in SA, I was invited to attend the launch of their new API on Friday in Stellenbosch. There was quite a bit of press and even Arthur Goldstruck attended. Did anyone from MyBroandband attend and are you going to give it some coverage?

Basically they are trying to get an app store going and their API as well as process to get started is really easy and straightforward.
 
This is great news, c'mon myBB say something :D

Rouxenator , you should do an article :)
 
I hear the API is a big letdown. It's basically just a .NET C# library, which rules out most app developers.
 
What? .NET C# is the pinnacle of development, else it would not have been chosen. Only a fool thinks its not.
 
Rouxenator said:
What? .NET C# is the pinnacle of development, else it would not have been chosen. Only a fool thinks its not.
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Rubbish. Qbasic is the pinnacle of development. Pfff.. and if you really wanna be fancy add some cobol.
 
Rouxenator said:
What? .NET C# is the pinnacle of development, else it would not have been chosen. Only a fool thinks its not.
Click to expand...

When I think of an online API, I think of something like Twitter where everything is available through a REST interface.

Now, with C#, you can't build any Java apps (no Google AppEngine), no iPhone or iPad Apps, no Android apps, no anything that doesn't support .NET. And from some reports online, you can't even hack this thing to work in Mono, which basically means you're stuck using Windows machines and servers.

I was very excited when I heard about this and instantly thought of an awesome app for Google AppEngine. But now I can't make it.
 
w1z4rd said:
Rubbish. Qbasic is the pinnacle of development. Pfff.. and if you really wanna be fancy add some cobol.
Click to expand...

I have developed in all of those an a lot more - C# is best.

EtienneK said:
When I think of an online API, I think of something like Twitter where everything is available through a REST interface.

Now, with C#, you can't build any Java apps (no Google AppEngine), no iPhone or iPad Apps, no Android apps, no anything that doesn't support .NET. And from some reports online, you can't even hack this thing to work in Mono, which basically means you're stuck using Windows machines and servers.

I was very excited when I heard about this and instantly thought of an awesome app for Google AppEngine. But now I can't make it.
Click to expand...

Uhm, you really have no idea what this API is for then. It is not to build external apps for MXit, it is to build bots and services inside MXit.

This something I have done before and it is really very easy. You can easily build a Windows Service that does what you want. Remember, most of MXit is still text based so you are not going to use very complex code.

Windows Servers are cheaper in the long run and the reason the MXit API is a Wcf .NET library is because that is what they use internally, so performance it also not a problem.
 
Rouxenator said:
I have developed in all of those an a lot more - C# is best.



Uhm, you really have no idea what this API is for then. It is not to build external apps for MXit, it is to build bots and services inside MXit.

This something I have done before and it is really very easy. You can easily build a Windows Service that does what you want. Remember, most of MXit is still text based so you are not going to use very complex code.

Windows Servers are cheaper in the long run and the reason the MXit API is a Wcf .NET library is because that is what they use internally, so performance it also not a problem.
Click to expand...

I still believe they've missed the boat here. If they really want to open it up for developers, well then they have to make it more.... well... open?
 
Unfortunately nothing comes close to WCF.NET so those with an open source fetish will have to make some sacrifices.
 
Rouxenator said:
Unfortunately nothing comes close to WCF.NET so those with an open source fetish will have to make some sacrifices.
Click to expand...

*sigh*

No use having this debate with you. You are the textbook definition of a fanboy and you border on a troll. Aren't you also the guy that defends Symbian with rigorous zeal?

The point is that their decision in using .NET has narrowed their dev market to a very tiny percentage. I really do hope they roll out some more libraries for other languages later, though.
 
dequadin said:
Have you seen the Mono Project? I don't think it will help you with the Google AppEngine, but you can develop for iPad/iPhone (MonoTouch). I also believe there is a beta of Mono running on Android available.
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Read my reply again and you will see that I did address the Mono issue...
 
EtienneK said:
The point is that their decision in using .NET has narrowed their dev market to a very tiny percentage. I really do hope they roll out some more libraries for other languages later, though.
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Their decision in using .NET has narrowed their dev market by a very tiny percentage. If you don't/can't use .NET then I am not sure what you are doing but its wrong.
So what libraries / languages would you like to have support for ?
 
Rouxenator said:
Their decision in using .NET has narrowed their dev market by a very tiny percentage. If you don't/can't use .NET then I am not sure what you are doing but its wrong.
So what libraries / languages would you like to have support for ?
Click to expand...

HTTP REST would have been nice.

By using .NET, they are completely missing they hobbyist market.
 
HTTP is not as efficient as WCF.NET and how are you going to do bi-direction events with HTTP and its request/response design? Are you going to be doing a crapload of polling?

If your definition of hobbyist is people that do not know .NET then I think you should rethink your definition.
 
MXit Apps development
http://mybroadband.co.za/news/cellular/16271-MXit-Apps-development.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

MXit today launched a beta version of its API (application programming interface), which gives entrepreneurs and software developers the ability to create applications for the platform.

The launch opens the commercial door for people wanting to engage with MXit users. It also has the potential of creating revenue streams for entrepreneurs and developers.

“This is perhaps the most exciting chapter in MXit’s history as a mobile social network,” says Herman Heunis, CEO and founder of MXit.

“The launch of the API allows global and local software developers and entrepreneurs that have a brilliant idea or concept, to create unique applications for our users. By using our API, the traditional obstacles that entrepreneurs face in the mobile space, like finding and creating the support for countless makes of mobile phones, marketing of their applications, revenue collection and secure billing are all taken care of by MXit. We don’t only support more than 2,500 different mobile handsets, but also have our own virtual currency, MXit Moola.”

“As a company that is created from an entrepreneurial spirit, it is important to us that those who engage with us are rewarded with a revenue share, which could be as much as 70% after costs,” continues Heunis.

By opening MXit for external application development, the social network is effectively giving entrepreneurs and developers an opportunity to use their creativity to extend their business or software development to a mobile community that has a natural affinity for social interaction.

Protecting its users remains of core importance to MXit, who will screen all external applications carefully to ensure that they are appropriate and that they fit the brand’s values, the company said.

“It’s all about creating applications that will excite or fulfill a need within the community. Our aim, as always, is to ensure that our users are consistently delighted by our platform and its capabilities; and this is illustrated by the way MXit has evolved from the instant messaging platform of the early days to a mobile social network with vast communities that use MXit to enhance their lifestyles,” concludes Heunis.
Click to expand...
 
As much as i'm pro .Net (I don't think anyone here can disagree if they've read my software posts), i've worked on few community projects, and to narrow the API down to only .Net is a bit of a problem if you want to attract the non MS developers.

Perhaps they get enough devs with just .Net to satisfy their requirements (in which case their goal is achieved), but I do think it's silly to just support .Net.
 
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