---
layout: post
title: 'Weekly API.Report For March 16th, 2015'
sourceurl: http://apievangelist.com/2015/03/16/weekly-apireport-for-march-16th-2015/
image: https://s3.amazonaws.com/kinlane-productions/api-report/api-report-logo.png
---
Swagger is now Open API Definition Format (OADF) -- READ MORE

Phew!! This week was hard. I just couldn't find the mojo to plow through, but I did it. A little late on Monday evening, but still so worth doing--putting the week into perspective.
I'm still trying to assess the best balance with what I post as individual news stories on API.Report. I think more of this could be pulled out as actual news stories, but will have to see if I have the time. Overall I am happy with how the weekly API.Report is evolving, but there is so much more I could do.
The Weekly API.Report represents the best of what I've read throughout the week, and is only what I personally felt should be showcased. Each news item comes with a link, and some thoughts I had after curating the piece of API related news. I'm trying to break down stories into as coherent buckets as I can, but it remains something that is ever changing for me, but ultimately I will settle on a clear definition for each of the research areas.
I track on a lot of 3D Printing, but few of them are directly API related, finallky one that moves the conversation forward:
A handful of acquisitions I noticed this week, with one more stroy on last weeks IBM acquisition:
Several interesting API analysis related things I am tracking on:
- Collecting and Analyzing Car Telematics Using Azure and Arduino - An interesting look into cloud, IoT, automobiles, and API analysis. I find the CodeProject to be an interest cross section of the tech space, and specifically API integration. It is heavily MS focused, but provides some other interesting layers to the space.
- A Glimpse At What I Am Imagining For API Driven Analysis, Visualization, And Beyond · - I thought these guys provide an interesting look at what is to come. I found their approach lacking the simplicity and intuitiveness that is required, but it gives me hope that their better things coming down the pipes with API analysis and visualization.
- Introducing Splunk Light: The Power of Splunk for Small IT Environments - The price tag of Splunk has been a limiting factor in my own usage of platform. They have had an entry level solution for a while, but it is good to see a lite version emerge.
- .Modeling Language and REST API Make Advanced Analytics Easy in Web - Another take on the RASON modeling language and API. I'm still wrapping my head around the potential, and as as many takes on what it is, is valuable.
- A Glimpse At What I Am Imagining For API Driven Analysis, Visualization, And Beyond - I want to see more open tooling like this in the space.
Some API definition stories from me this week:
- Crafting Exactly The API Definition You Need With Swagger Vendor Extensions · - Swagger vendor extensions were new to me, so I wanted to share the fact that they existed, in case you thought Swagger wasn't extensible. I will be using, and adding to the spec where it makes sense.
- What is ALPS? · - I'm working to better understand ALPS, and paying attention to conversations going on around it. What Mike and Mark are working on is important, and i just need to find some entry level use cases to help onboard people.
Some serious API deployment movement this week, with a couple of new offerings:
Some approahces to API Deprecation:
Mostly my own API design thoughts this week:
Again, mostly my own stories, but a handful of API discovery items this week:
A wide variety of API evangelism stories:
API integration related stories, with commerce taking over:
Some interesting shifts, and additions in the world of API management:
Thinking I'll keep breaking API monitoring, out of integration stories:
I can usually count on Zapier for one good API reciprocity story a week:
Like montoring, I will keep breaking out API testing stories into their own category:
I can usually find some API visualizations related stories, even it is more visualizaiton than just API:
Thought this was a very cool nod in the world of architecture:
Anything art related I can sneak in:
Two automobiles, API, and data related items:
Business of APIs is always a good catch-all bucket:
Putting any interesting API related job posts under what I call careers:
A small CDN related nuggest from AWS:
I call it city government, but put anything API, and data related to city operations here:
Always several cloud computing items to talk about betwwen AWS, Microsoft, and Google:
Two items standing out specifically dealing with cloud storage:
Didn't quite know how to categorize this one, so simply tagged as code:
Magento integrations was a big part of the commerce stories:
Not to much worthy enough talking about on the communications front:
Lighter lod of stories on the containerzation front:
Direct CORS stories isn't always something you see:
The always full list of data related stories I'm tracking on:
- German Startup Campaigns For Personal Data API Law | TechCrunch - I've seen a lot of data movement, and this one has an interesting approach. Will be diving in deeper, talking with them and seeing where I can help.
- Introducing PYLON and How to Apply CSDL to Facebook Topic Data
- Health data breaches and fines - Some more insight into data breaches, specifically in the healthcare space. I'm going to be keeping tally on these.
- Marshal your data with entity resolution - I do not follow exactly what is being applied here, but worth saving and reviewing when I dive into data analytics for my research.
- If ‘Change’ had a favourite number…it would be 2.3 - Some important features with the latest version of CKAN. It is adding in some important API management elements in the latest version.
- Open Data 500 - I had come across the Open Data 500 again, and wanted to include in roundup, just to keep it floating up in my research.
- The Anxieties of Big Data - I am enjoying much of the critical analysis of big data lately. Even if I do not agree with everything, I like people asking questions.
- Splunk and Operational Intelligence come to the G-Cloud - Some thoughts on public sector data from Splunk. Worth evaluating alongside other approaches to opening up data in government.
- CISL’s Data Support Section to collaborate on “Big Data” project | Computational Information Systems Laboratory - A project to keep an eye on, but also some kick ass data visualizations. I love this kind of evolution in how we use data to make sense of our world, not the big data bullshit coming out of Silicon Valley.
- Collect and verify mobile reports - I enjoy learning about any approaches to data out of development seed, but also the mobile gathering aspect is pretty interesting too.
- Introducing Splunk Light: The Power of Splunk for Small IT Environments - The price tag of Splunk has been a limiting factor in my own usage of platform. They have had an entry level solution for a while, but it is good to see a lite version emerge.
- Open Knowledge Russia: Experimenting with data expeditions - I enjoy learning from other open data efforts, especially those in other countries, and pushing emerging market land.
- Sketching Out a Python / pandas Remote Data Access Wrapper for the Nomis API - Anytime I get the story behind an SDK, library or other integration effort I am going to showcase. I love the detail and honesty in these posts.
- Time To Play Ball With Data - The angle of this seems a little opportunistic and chaotic, but I thought it was an interesting look at what is unfolding.
Some of the SDN related talks bleeding over into the data center:
Two database stories stood out this week for me:
Several education related items that caught my attention:
I'll keep an eye on election related stories as we get closer to 2016 here in the US:
- Quick Sketch – Election Maps - I will be tracking on data, analysis, visualization, mapping and other areas in support of elections. I'm all about shaking things up here.
Two encryption related thougths:
Always makes me happy when there are energy related stories:
Two sides of the enterprise API conversation:
Always lots of activity in the federal government:
- R9 Accelerator - Creative HQCreative HQ - In NZ, government API teams are going through an accelerator programme in partnership with the local entrepreneur and startup community and one of the initiatives is going to be an API marketplace to connect supply and demand for government APIs.
- API security takes myriad forms - One of thousands of API security conversations that need to occur in government.
- National Security Archive finds 40% E-FOIA compliance rate in federal government agencies - I am pleased to learn that FOIA has played such a significant role in open data efforts, but agree with Alex that we can do better.
- Commerce Department names Ian Kalin first chief data officer - Round one Presidential Innovation Fellow Ian Kalin gets named as first Chief Data Officer (CDO) at the Department of Commerce. I STRONGLY believe in Ian as a person, and trust his tech ability, as well as his moral compass to kick ass and take names in this role. #excited
- US, Canada, and Mexico Collaborate to Improve Open Government and Digital Services - I cannot couch for the details, but I have to get behindany interoperability efforts in North American government.
- Data, Code, and API Event Round Up - Good to see regular coverage coming out of news outlets.
- The API Briefing: Fulfilling the D(e)SIRE for Renewable Energy with the Department of Energy’s New API - Data at the Department of Energy represents a huge opportunity for someone to deliver on when it comes to APIs.
- New Zealand Government Launches API Portal for Businesses - Important coverage of API efforts going on in New Zealand. I've been talking with folks don their for a while, and they aren't just listening to what we are doing, they are taking a lead in some areas.
- DigitalGov Monthly Theme: How Data and Code Improve Government Services - Important roundup of what is going on in federal government around APIs and open data. The stories are important, but the roundups are too, helping busy executives stay up to date.
- Labor Category Descriptions for Agile Procurements - This type of leadership is what government should be about. This isn't just a dataset, and existing work that government can use, anyone can. Government should produce this type of work for anything it does. This is what our taxpayers dollars should be paying for.
- OpenGov Voices: Lessons learned from Mexico's procurement process - Learning about open data beyond just what we are doing in the US.
The financial world is continuing to heat up with API conversations:
Another interesting view on using GitHub:
Handful of hackathons stories:
Appled fueled healthcare stories:
One item to add to my history of tech stories:
API related talk in the home:
One hypermedia discussion to note:
Infrastructure conversations out of Netflix are often worth showcasing:
Some crossover with other areas in the world of Internet of Things:
- Juniper Networks lines up Internet of Things strategy for data centers - I heard about moves from Juniper into this area a while back at a conference, and I think they are savvy enough to understand wher ethings are going.
- Amazon Web Services nabs Internet of Things developer platform 2lemetry - Interesting moves by AWS into IoT space--keeping an eye on.
- Spinning IoT Data into Recurring Revenue Gold - Not everything I include is an endorsement...more about showing this shit that is published out there.
- Internet of Things and 3D Printing Creating Paradigm Shift in Field Service Management - Interesting convergence of the Internet of Things and 3D Printing, showing the potential, on the ground around 3D printing. If it is reality, only time will tell, but provides and interesting conversation around the topic.
- Google: IoT Can Help The Disabled - InformationWeek - A compelling, and easy sell for the IoT world. I track on these to better understand the spectrum of promises being made.
- Smart Luggage for the Connected Age - Ok, I am not sure this is a thing. A great story to tell, and nonsense to highlight in the space, but really not something we should be focusing our energy on.
- SAP Prepares to Take On The Internet of Things, Announces String of New Partnerships - Of course they are. They are also all in on APIs and the cloud.
Couple of items to note in the legal bucket:
I wish I had more library related items each week:
The always interesting concept of machine learning:
Three mapping related items:
TWo interesting items on microservices that I read:
When it comes to date I'm going to start slicing off open data specific related stories:
Movement on the outdoors API front out of the government:
- Open Data for the Outdoors - A nice call to action around the RIDB, and work in federal government around recreation API.
- mheadd/node-ridb - My man Mark got inspired and build an SDK for the RIDB database. nice!
- Agencies tap into recreational data - A view, a little closer to the government press side. I'm tracking on all stories I come across, to show the full view of story from all sides.
Always something payment related to discuss:
Only one entry in the area of policing this week:
Politics of APIs is where I put all the politically charged ideas from the week:
The growing concern of privacy:
- German Startup Campaigns For Personal Data API Law | TechCrunch - I've seen a lot of data movement, and this one has an interesting approach. Will be diving in deeper, talking with them and seeing where I can help.
- 'Get your privacy policy down to one page': AVG CEO throws glove down •... - An interesting take on privacy from the CEO vantage point.
- Google Apps bug revealed names, addresses, and other data about almost 300K people - I keep track of as many of these as I can, just so I can do roundups, and recall in future stories.
- Internet carriers may be breaching Canadian privacy laws - More of these conversations are going to emerge as things continue to heat up.
- Data privacy and the business of the internet - An important view from WIthknown on how we maintain control over our data.
- Privacy – step on the road to trust? - I am tracking on any claim from the enterprise to be privacy focused, so when things going wrong, I have their promises.
- Your Info Is As Safe With Us As It Is With Your Bank - It is an interesting view on their view of privacy and security, but I thought the title was specifically interesting, and telling of how we'll be talking in coming months about our data privacy.
- FTC Signs Memorandum of Understanding with Dutch Agency On Privacy Enforcement Cooperation - Lots of inter-governmental work around open data, privacy, and APIs. Good to see happening, but we'll keep an eye on what comes out of it.
- Learning Apps Outstrip School Oversight, and Loss of Student Privacy Is Among the Risks - Intersection of data, privacy, and education. Something I'm compelled to keep an eye on.
- The Seven Principles of Human Data Privacy - I like some of the recent privacy stuff coming out of Datasift is pretty well crafted, and comes from a place of wisdom in the space when it comes to social data.
- Most people are happy to share their personal health data with advertisers - Disturbing, but so true. Not sure how to educate people properly on this subject.
- Violating an Employer’s Computer Use Restriction Is Not a Federal Crime - That is good. Would be a little scary if this precedent had been set.
- Germany pushes for widespread end-to-end email encryption - I am super excited to be putting on API Days and APIStrat in Berlin this April.
PubNub is always good for some real-time stories:
Reporting stories coming out of SalesForce has caught my attention:
Anything related to scraping and Kimono is worthy of talking about:
Couple of SDK specific stories were interesting:
Lots of security items this wee, with cross-over from a couple of other areas:
Two Single Page Applications (SPA) items:
Smart watches will probably be tracked on separately from IoT in the future:
Single social related items:
- Introducing the MailUp App for Facebook - I do not see as many announcements regarding new apps on Facebook, figured I'd record when I do. Keep track of what is being deployed in this environment.
The hot topic of Software Defined Networking (SDN):
A story I did on spreadsheets, sparked some interesting discussions, and finds this week:
The important area of transparency:
An interesting take on how educated about API versions:
Wearables will be tracked on separatelky from IoT:
Two interesting weather items:
The API for Wikipedia sucked me in this week, and worthy of showcasing the wiki API tech behind it:
- RESTBase docs - I idid not know about RESTBase. I'm looking into adding it to my API deployment and management research. I just need to understand it better.
A handful of Women in Tech stories in my feed this week:
That concludes my report on what I read last week across the API space. I'm still working on pulling together a summary e-newsletter version, allowing people to get an executive summary of what I thought was important from the week--I am hoping it will be available next week. I'm also going to auto-generate some visualizations, and summary counts for each week. I'd like to see a tag cloud, and overall counts to help me understand the scope of news I cover each week.
As I did last week, I'm walking away with a better awareness of what is happening across the space. It isn't enough for me to read all of this API news in isolation, it helps to see it side by side with other news, allowing me to see and understand patterns that I may have missed.
Thanks for reading. ;-)
Updated November 27, 2015: Links were updated as part of switch from Swagger to OADF (READ MORE)