March 24, 2009

Capable Categorial Stream (context)

I have been pondering what to actually call this, since a short modification to the current OMB specification has started. In any case, context, or categorical, streaming allows for a more textured (and specific) means of micro-communication. At this time, melative is currently running a stream targeted at entertainment media contexts(14 media, creators, characters, users), and here are the current (or soon-to-be) capabilities [example]. Note: The previous post has an image of what the stream looks like.

All directory requests and meanings assume the domain, melative.com.

Friend Stream

/stream
All friend notices
/stream/{context_type}
Friend notices designated in a {context_type}
/stream/{context_type}/{name}
Friend notices designated on a {name} of {context_type}.
/stream/music
Friend notices designated on anything music
/stream/user
Friend notices on users (@reply, comment, etc)
/stream/creator
Friend notices designated on creators
/stream/character
Friend notices designated on characters
/stream/music/BEST+THE+BACK+HORN
Friend notices which were designated on the album BEST THE BACK HORN
/stream/creator/Production I.G.
Friend notices which were designated on Production I.G.

User Stream

/{username}/stream
Notices by {username}
/{username}/stream/{context_type}
Notices by {username} in {context_type}
/{username}/stream/{context_type}/{name}
Notices by {username} on {name} of {context_type}

Additionally, filtering announce actions:
?action=watch
?action=wishlist
?action=listen

Additionally, pagination:
?page=2

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March 13, 2009

Joining the Stream

melative stream

I’ll make this short. This past week has been relatively good for development on melative, but it will be calming down in the next few weeks as I resume the semester and will be pressed. Of the current, a few important methods have been implemented on the nuclear API, and a xul application has been created for standalone, simple interface to some of the API, media content, and the friend stream. Things are still lacking, but I’m hoping to find individuals who are interested in testing and advocating the development and advancements of melative (non-webui).

The xul application can be downloaded here. For Windows and OSX users, Firefox 3 should be able to run the unzipped application.ini, for linux users use xulrunner. More information on running xul can be found here.

Please feel free to contact me via email (ryan at melative), twitter (@melative) or drop a message in the irc.

March 9, 2009

Additional XUL

In the previous post I mentioned the ease of using XML+XSL in order to provide a uniform interface to the migrated POST-methods of the dev-api. Building on this concept, I’ve decided to develop a small XUL application which will provide access to the methods, while providing a stream view of friend activity on the site.

Stream

Some of the functionality should include:

  • View friend’s activity (optional ’self’)
  • Show/control friend requests
  • Use the bookmarklet interface
  • Announce/Action Methods
  • List recent additions (also by media)
  • Simple search

And maybe whatever else comes out of the new dev-api. The GET methods will need associated styling, and or full server-side styling, but client-side XSLT is solid as well.

March 6, 2009

Nuclear API @ melative

Migrating the core of melative to the nuclear platform has been no simple task, but rather than waiting until a full conversion is complete (which could take months), I’ve decided to let the nuclear side of things interface with the database.

This is possible mostly because the conversion to nuclear has little to do with database schema changes (though nuclear does require some framework-specific tables for user management and social methods). That stated, the most crucial change has been the user management portion, which is entirely modularized per-nuclear. Users who are currently registered under the old system still exist, but due to hashing changes, passwords will need resetting under the dev-api domain [while logins should still work on the www].

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