The Why and How of Mashups

Know More: Mashups

I was contacted not so long ago by a new client wanting to get into mashups. Because mashups are the hot new thing he wanted to include them on his website.

To begin with, the client didn't even know what mashups were. Wikipedia defines them as "a website or web application that seamlessly combines content from more than one source into an integrated experience." This differs from simply having links on a webpage; in a mashup the information from those linked pages appears right on your webpage.

I also explained that you don't just go out and build a mashup. You need to have a reason to do so. You need to solve a problem with the mashup.

For example:

Where can I find a golf course in the city I'm visiting - BunkerShot.com
Make Sudoko visual by selecting 9 random images from Flickr instead of numbers.
Where are the best ski conditions in the world, right now?

As you can see from this very small list, mashups solve a very specific problem or answer a very specific questions. They are not intended for the general populace, but aimed at very select groups (see long tail).

After defining the question or problem you want to solve, you need to identify the sources that the information will come from. Do you need a map? Do you need Real Estate data? Stock quotes? Do you need to put together a database of information?

Let's look at SkiBonk.com.

The information is shown on a Google Earth map. The creators made a list or database of ski areas throughout the world and used that information to poll the ski area sites to get the latest ski conditions. When you click on a ski area on the map, the ski conditions are shown.

Needless to say, my client went back to the drawing board to identify a problem or question he could address with a mashup - since he was still interested in incorporating mashups in his website.

By the way - ProgrammableWeb is a fab place to find mashups.

Real Time Collaboration and Web 2.0 tools, tips, and reviews

related entries

0 Comments/Trackbacks

Comments/Trackbacks are closed for maintenance.

Advertise

Related Resources

recent comments

sponsored ads

topics

subscribe

Current News

resources

Support This Blog

archives

blogroll

Know More Media - Technology / Computers / Software

know more media network

we support unitus

PRWeb

Influencer

ProductivityGoal

CallCenterScript

AdHurl

TheBizofKnowledge

HealthCareVox

BrainBasedBusiness