Beautiful Minds — Seattle-Area Developers Discuss Social Graph APIs

Ticket to Developers Meetup

OK. When I got the invitation, it was a bit like, “WHY?” But on the ticket I was identified as a “Super Cool Person,” so how could I resist attending the Parnassus Group’s Social Developer Meetup? And even though one of my specialties is getting lost on the east side of the "pond" (Lake Washington), somehow I got there in spite of the dead battery in my GPS!

When finally I’d arrived, I looked around at the group assembled and wondered—what is this confab all about?

Meetup
Jason Preston (@jason_preston) VP of Strategy and Product Development at the Parnassus Group

In describing it, Jason Preston (@jason_preston) VP of Strategy and Product Development at the Parnassus Group says, “Ever since we started putting together Twitter Conferences in March 2009, we at Parnassus have thought the next wave of digital innovation will be built by ordinary geeks on top of the rich and emerging foundation of social data platforms. All kinds of cool things are being built by local (Seattle) rock star developers on top of the available social application programming interfaces (APIs), ranging from Twitter to Foursquare to Facebook and beyond. So this initial gathering creates a place where people can learn from each other, share, ‘be technical,’ and socialize.”

And thanks to Peter Chee, ThinkSpace in Redmond, Wash., offered a great place to do just that.

First up was local star developer, and the very tall Adam Loving (@adamloving), creator of Twibes and developer at Vulcan and Foundry Group-funded “Gist.” He talked about how Gist uses Google’s Social Graph API as kind of a personal search-engine optimization to “pre-populate” user profiles.

How Does it Work?


This stuff was over my head, but as I understand it, Google’s Social Graph API makes available a person’s public connections using XFN (Xhtml Friends Network), which identifies human relationships through the use of hyperlinks; and FOAF (Friend of a Friend), a project that aims to create a web of links between people, the things they create, and do.

Because some users create public profiles but don’t always use the same monikers across networks, a hyperlink such as a url or email address can point to friends in various networks who might otherwise go unrecognized. The aggregated data is gleaned only from publicly available information. In other words, if your information is private, don’t worry—it won’t be found! (At least that's what we're led to think!)

By identifying human connections between people and their friends, Social Graph API makes it possible for social application developers to incorporate features for their users, which can make it easier for people to connect to public friends from one application to another.

Do you want to see a demo of the Social Graph API?

Enter some of your known urls and see what comes up. Interestingly, even profiles and accounts you have abandoned or renamed may surface here.

Chris and Adam
L-R: Chris Pirillo and Adam Loving


During a short break, Jason, along with social media mega-star Chris Pirillo (@chrispirillo), tech expert to CNN.com, speaker, blogger, and founder of Gnomedex, gave us a demo of “FaceTime,” the face-to-face video calling feature of the new iPhone 4. It was cool to see, and like all Apple does, it was easy to use. The combination of gorgeous industrial design and functionality has me looking forward to leaving AT&T behind and forging a new relationship with Verizon come 2011. Have I mentioned Chris Pirillo is very smart, cute and funny?

Damon Cortesi
Damon Cortesi, courtesy of Randy Stewart, blog.stewtopia.com

Next we heard from Damon Cortesi (@dacort) of UntitledStartup and creator of TweetStats and TweepSearch, among other apps. He touched upon an array of interesting topics including:
  • How Social Viral Works;
  • Better Follow Analysis;
  • the Facebook Graph API;

Chirp Social Graph Analysis ("Chirp" was the first Twitter developer conference).
He shared an outstanding case study on the viral power of Twitter — the “pay with a tweet” social viral campaign—which shows how a French synthpop band went from zero to thousands in a matter of hours. Also, I think some of his graphs are beautiful illustrations of information.

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The “Social Viral” graph, illustrates the progression of what happened when a band called The Teenagers released a new song that people “paid for” by mentioning them in a tweet. Starting around 5 PM Sunday through 10 AM Monday, you can see how the tweets followed a gradual trajectory until someone with a big following tweeted it, and then BOOM—a huge bump. Says Damon, “The concept of ‘buying’ a song by posting a tweet about it has an inherent viral aspect and worked very powerfully.”

The next three graphs show the first 100, second 100 and third 100 people who retweeted. The larger circles show someone with more influence and the ensuing repercussions. (Color changes represent 500 more followers than previous followers.) A slightly larger example showing the viral spread can be seen here. (These gorgeous graphs were created using Protovis. )

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Slide5

Slide6

When I checked The Teenagers’ MySpace page on Saturday, I could see the "pay with a tweet campaign" is continuing, and when I searched the #PayWithaTweet hashtag on Twitter, I could see it’s still going strong both in the U.S. and abroad.

The "After Party"


I had a chance to talk quite a bit with Adam Loving, a really handsome, lovely, articulate guy who is totally devoted to his craft. He was introduced as a local developer, but you know you’re really “local” when you recognize each others’ high schools!

He says he’s been working in his industry for 13 years, and his love of computing goes back to when he was a kid. Working part time with Gist has been great because it’s accelerated his ability to experiment. So at the end of 2009 he stopped working on the Twibes web site, and started working on some pet projects.

I asked him if aesthetics are unimportant when developers get ideas for applications because I’ve noticed a number of unattractive (or BORING) user interfaces out there. Says Adam, “Programmers who become entrepreneurs can have a fatal flaw — they have all kinds of technology at their disposal, but focus on “What solution I can create? rather than “What problem can I solve?”

So, in the process of "creating solutions," it appears an application's look and feel can be secondary. As a graphic designer, I find myself drawn to the applications that have the strongest combination of features and appealing user interfaces. Some sites that offer great comprehensive analytical feedback I avoid simply because I can’t stand the way they look. I don’t think I’m alone.

One final conversation with Chris Pirillo shed some light on the upcoming Gnomedex, this year being held August 19-21. When I asked him about the speakers he’s scheduled thus far, he told me the line up will probably continue to evolve, but attendees can expect exposure to controversy, technology and ideas related once again to the theme of “human circuitry.” He even shared a sneak peek at the new Gnomedex t-shirt design which included something that looked a bit like an iPhone 4 with a bumper!

Listening, watching and having the opportunity to talk with some of these brilliant guys was a treat.  And I know we'll continue to hear a lot about them in the coming months.

Broback
Steve Broback (@sbroback) of the Parnassus Group

Special thanks to pioneering event organizer, author and cofounder of Thunder Lizard Productions, Steve Broback (@sbroback) of the Parnassus Group, for extending the invitation.

And Steve? I had a “Super Cool Time!"


Thanks to @justinjwilliams and David Horsfall for their feedback.



Comments

  1. First, let me say I agree with the designation you've been given: Super Cool Person. I couldn't say it better myself ;)

    Very interesting article. I would've really enjoyed attending this event.

    To be honest, I'm not fully up to date on these technologies. I suppose it makes sense to create these types of API with functions named "Friend of a Friend". This will probably lead to some futuristic super-social network where all social networks are connected. I've heard of similar ideas in the past, sometimes in an almost bizarre context (i.e. a super MMORPG game - a way of connecting characters from all your online games somehow).

    The advantage we'll get? Ease of use. Will just increase the connectivity of all of us and makes finding people easier. The advantage for companies is more obvious: advertising power; if you say you like - for example - Avatar on one social network, this could potentially be used to advertise intelligently on another. At least, that's what I'm guessing based on what I read.

    I love the concept of pay per tweet and it makes sense. One thing all advertisers are trying to do is launch viral campaigns: this brilliantly encourages that since it's free to the people who do so, yet the exposure is meaningful.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Udi, thanks for reading this. You most certainly are a Super Cool Person and I'm so glad we met—coincidentally at yet another east side venue!

    I thought the pay with a tweet idea was a super cool one and something similar could be used to generate interest in your competition!

    I'm going to have to look up what MMORPG means (something-something-something role playing game?!)

    Cheers, and thanks again!

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  3. Hi Terri,

    I came across you after Gina's (@SuuperG) recommendation, beautifully written piece!

    I am reasonably new to Twitter and blogging and I love learning about how Twitter works and future developments. I must admit a lot of the technical stuff goes over my head but I was fascinated about the 'Social Viral' stuff, really interesting to see the way something like that develops.

    Thanks Terri, going to delve into your blog now to see what else I can find!

    Cheers

    Tony

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  4. Hi, Tony!

    Thanks so much for reading this. Most people post MUCH SHORTER posts than I do...but somehow I get so "into" whatever it is—it just requires a lot of words!

    The social viral stuff really blew me away. The potential is incredible.

    Are we following each other? I will have to look and see.

    Thank you again!

    Cheers, Terri

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  5. Thanks for the insights, super cool person! I agree with you on the aesthetics argument. There are lots of technologically sound sites that we can visit, but we really want to stay and explore those that are visually pleasing and engage the senses. Community is built on conversation, and if it only goes one way it's pretty empty. Keep up the good posts and your oh-so-interesting finds on design and art in the webs!

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  6. Thank you for this wonderful analysis and recap, Terri. WOW. Your insights and commentary is a treat - I feel like I was just rewarded a gift, which is what it is to those who were not in attendance.

    Please keep writing, Terri. You are a sage. We learn from you. Go go go!! :)

    I'm with the sentiments stated in the above comment by "harry". What he said.

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  7. Harry & Krys, thanks for your comments. Coming from you two, I'm truly honored. But mostly, thanks for reading this. It was long, but the guys had so much to say~!

    BTW, Harry, remember the on-air talent you were looking for to do the monthly magazine? I think Krystyn could be fantastic :-)

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  8. Very interesting information about Gist. I actually know a few people who use their service. Like Tony, I also am fascinated about the 'Social Viral' stuff. Its exciting to find great information from fellow local design.

    Thanks and I will check your blog out frequently!

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  9. Thanks, Website Center. I suspect anything Vulcan is involved in is probably worth knowing about.

    The social viral stuff is a complete knock out and I was glad Damon Cortesi (@dacort) shared it with us.

    It's an amazing example of how Twitter can be deployed to accomplish incredible visibility and awareness at very little cost.

    Thanks for reading and commenting, and I hope you'll check back every now and then!

    Cheers/Terri

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi Terri,
    if you really are a “Super Cool Person” ;) you could suggest us the coolest design, fashion and lifestyle ideas on Lancia TrendVisions Trendwall or maybe you just could be interested in an international research laboratory where current trends and insights into the future of fashion, design and lifestyle are there to be discovered. Have a look!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous10:47 PM

    Hi, Lancia. I'm trying to figure out A) How you happened upon this post, and B) Why you left this comment?

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hello Terri,

    Wow, you worked hard on this post. Awesome! I will add it on my RevPage at APSense that I created yesterday. VERY cool :)

    Philippe

    ReplyDelete
  13. Philippe, many thanks for stopping by! I plan to visit your blog, too!

    So glad we have crossed paths on Empire Avenue. It's given me great pleasure to converse with you there!

    Wishing you a wonderful weekend, and thank you for finding this interesting. There are some great developers here in Seattle and I'm fortunate to know some of them!

    Cheers/Terri

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  14. I tried the Social Graph API and bingo it told me of several places I had a connection for Body By Chocolates healthy chocolate just like that. This is a great tool that everyone serious about making a living online needs to use. Thanks for sharing it with us.

    SEOGuy

    ReplyDelete

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terri

i'm a graphic designer who loves words. - terri nakamura