ReadTheIngredients.com by Kerri Lemoie

I've spent a substantial amount of my career so far working with APIs - primarily backend web services models to transfer data.  I like obsessing about detail and then massaging the returned data so that it can be analyzed and used in a brand new way.  It's fascinating to see all of the models that are being created out of the API -type frameworks. Programmableweb.com is a playground for the discovery of APIs, utilizing APIs and mashing up the data and creating a new web. It's not a new concept but its being used in new and innovative ways as it evolves and more APIs become available.

I'm working on a proof of concept right now: Snapishot.com. I'll add some design elements to it soon but right now it's collecting data from the Twitter Search API about browser mentions like Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safair, Chrom & Opera. Then it compares the number of mentions in a graph format. The thinking behind it is that if a browser is being actively mentioned on Twitter, then there is probably some big news about that browser being spread elsewhere on the web. For instance, I recently added Opera to the data collection and on the day that Opera 10.5 was released,Twitter was aflutter about it. I should add IE9 to the data as well. Even though it hasn't been released yet, people are talking. Originally I thought to imply that the more a browser is mentioned, the more it is despised because it feels better after venting about browser issues. The data doesn't support that though - atleast not yet. It has opened up my mind to semantics and context - for another time.

The downside for semantic data like Twitter's is that it's not reliable. "Safari" and "Opera" are not just web browsers. I decide to take this on by being greedy and accepting a percentage of error rather than restricting my results by adding "browser" to every search to only find tweets that include "browser". My decision was based on a sampling of the tweets and finding that the majority are browser related and that most do not specifically mention "browser" in their 140 character limited tweets. Another downside is that there are time frame and data limits on the Twitter Search API. You can only go back about a week to gather data. This works fine for current data but if you want to analyze cumulative data you need to gather and store it for yourself. But this is the interesting part about APIs - you don't control them. You can only use them and the more we use them, the more business critical they become and the better they will get - in theory anyway.

I'll keep adding to snapishot.com and posting info on it here. The browser mentions is just the first attempt at working with Twitter data. I'll be working with various APIs and hope to connect with others doing the same.

Stay updated via the Red Cross at http://newsroom.redcross.org/. Check back often and keep checking in a few days. The Red Cross is also accepting donations to their International Response Fund.

An easy way to make $10 donations to the Red Cross: text “HAITI” to 90999. You will receive a text message in reply to confirm. This service uses mgive.com. You may also make $5 donations by texting YELE to 501501 or go to www.yele.org.

Learn more about how you can help: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/12/haiti-earthquake-relief-h_n_421014.html

I can't stand winter. Really. Born, raised and now living in New England, I feel tortured every year at this time. What I do like about January, though, is my favorite holiday - New Years - and - resolutions. I like fresh starts and the symbolism of starting new. It's energizing. Of course I've abound myself with a whole slew of resolutions and even if one or two of them stick, I'll be happy. And of course right now - 7 days in - I'm right on track.

One of my resolutions is to add more content to this site. I haven't written since October (!) and really only wrote a few times since the site launched. So, I'm shooting for a weekly post and maybe some sporadic content here and there.  I also would like to play with the site more. Have some fun with it.

The "A Better World by Design" conference (last post I did) was fantastic and inspiring. I wasn't entirely sure what to expect but the students did a great job running it and I was happy to fraternize with some brilliant and inspiring people who are truly seeking ways to make this world better through their gifts and talents. Unfortunately I didn't make it to the nightly social events. I honestly felt so brain drained from what I learned through the day that I couldn't find room to take in any more.

At around the same time I attended the StackOverflow/Joel on Software sponsored Dev Days conference in Boston. It was a fun geeky day even though a large portion of it was dedicated to Joel Spolsky's projects: FogBugz, Stack Overflo. I expected that with a price of $99 that I would be "paying" further while attending and it was done in an entertaining and informative way. I'm a fan of Joel Spolsky and thing StackOverflow is a great resource. If you're stuck on a program, ask the folks there and if you know answers, help a fellow hacker out - I should do that more than I do (another resolution?).

For the rest of 2009, I did some client work, learned quite a bit about Flex (probably more on that later) finished up four classes and then took a long holiday road trip to finish it off. It's been great to learn, meet people and be geeky. Looking forward to 2010 and hoping its a better year for us all.

"A Better World by Design brings a global community of innovators to Providence, Rhode Island, to reach across disciplines and unite under a common goal. Presenters share engaging stories, workshops teach creative skills, and discussions reframe perspectives. A Better World by Design is an immersive experience that deepens our understanding of the power of design, technology, and enterprise to reshape our communities and sustain our environment...A Better World by Design will inspire you, connect you with incredible people, and impel you to make tangible change locally and globally."

The three-day schedule is filled with exhibitions, panels, speakers and workshops. There's time slotted for two workshops and it was difficult to choose. The two workshops I've signed up for are:

 "Think Wrong"
Presented by Project M Lab

The world is on the verge of many tipping points. Are you pessimistic about this uncertain future or optimistic? If you choose to be optimistic, design is one of the key ways to address these critical issues. Unfortunately, the human brain tends to think along pre-determined linear thought pathways that can inhibit true innovation that designing a better world requires. We will encourage, and provide techniques for, "thinking wrong" to generate new ideas and directions to create a more positive future.

Emotion & More Human Design
Presented by Energy Inside Labs

Human beings are complicated; we have range. In any one given day, is our emotional complexity simply feeling one of seven things, or are we capable of sadness, elation, focus, curiosity, contentment, courage and nervousness all at the same time? How do we understand and design interactive media to encourage and enable emotional well-being? In this workshop we’ll collaborate to create a collection of emotional signatures. Then, in small groups we’ll dive into designing “peps,” interactive media micro-interventions (games, animations, exercises), targeted to help people develop affective and cognitive skills that can help them flourish in life. It’s design from the inside out.

 I'll share my experience here and will send some tweets along the way.