so, maybe not as a central repository for the address book, though the
benefits of having my data on multiple, redundant, backed-up, databases
& webservers (far less likely to go down than my one server) are big for
me. there are still a couple of takeaways.
1 - the widget works with existing address books from a number of sites
(e.g. google, yahoo, msn, etc.):
http://www.plaxo.com/api/widget_demo
2 - they've spent a lot of time figuring out what field to include in an
address book and how to organize it. steal that knowledge.
3 - check out their interface, far more than we need now, but still
something to derive insights into functionality & presentation for.
4 - the api is just a hook (and one that could be optional) for easy
access to their interface. how else will i sync my contacts with my
treo, outlook, & roundcube? no need to wholesale switch over. but again,
i don't have time to implement this, so i'm just tossing it into the
conversation as something to think about (and dismiss if appropriate).
off topic:
that zdnet review is done by an obviously paranoid and ill-informed
author. from a business perspective, if they were to be pushy or use
their data for unethical means, they would lose customers and trust,
especially since the switching cost for us consumers is so low. now, if
you think that your data is secure anywhere on the web, you don't have a
good concept of how vulnerable you are, this includes your information
on yahoo, google, msn, etc. i've been using the free version of plaxo
and have never had a problem (nor have any of my 300+ contacts), and
it's proven valuable as a one-stop service to update my info for others
as well as keeping my data synchronized. it's a PITA to keep multiple
sets of data updated on a consistent basis.
all of that aside, nothing to get upset about here. it's about learning
from other people's efforts. they've exposed their view on organizing
data and we can learn from it.
i'll be happy to continue this discussion off-list.
randy
Paul Carrasco wrote:
I agree with Chris. I would not like an API for plaxo in my webmail
software.
Basically roundcube is a GPL-based-contribution software, whereas plaxo
(and plaxo-like services) are everything but GPL or open-source minded.
They have very special ways of licencing your data and your privacy
which can have annoying effects.
See http://review.zdnet.com/4520-7297-5111563.html
Or you can google 'plaxo is evil'
Paul
On 10/4/06, *Chris Hembrow* <[EMAIL PROTECTED]
<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>> wrote:
Speaking personally, I would not want this. Part of the reason I
moved from using a gmail account as my primary account was so that I
had complete control of MY emails. I'm sure google would not do
anything bad with my data, but it's MY data, and I want it where
only I have access to it. Implementing an external address book
system would be opening that information up for abuse. Can you
really guarantee that plaxo aren't going to sell that data to
spammers or have it stolen by crackers?
Besides, what happens if their service goes down? You might lose
access to your address book, even temporarily this could be a royal
PITA.
Just by tuppence worth
pixel
On Wed, 04 Oct 2006 10:26:22 -0400, Randy Noval < [EMAIL PROTECTED]
<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>> wrote:
> yay for addressbook management!
>
> as a thought though, rather than re-work stuff that's already been
> created, why not use existing tools. in particular, plaxo. i've been
> using it for a while as a sync tool between my treo, thunderbird, &
> outlook and by-and-large, it's been great! and they have an API:
> http://www.plaxo.com/api/ <http://www.plaxo.com/api/>
>
> and a really nifty widget demo (access address lists from other
apps):
> http://www.plaxo.com/api/widget_demo
>
> but using their (already well-thought out) field set as a guideline
> might be a good way to go.
>
> just a couple of thoughts. i love the enthusiasm in this community!
>
> thanks,
> randy
