The link posted above gives an
explanation of what the term “mashup” means in web development. As explained by
the article, a “mashup” is a method of gathering 3rd party data or
already existing services to be used in a website that did not create the data
or services. Mashups can take on multiple forms, like for example, a website
using the Google Maps suite to direct customers to local pizzerias or a website
that uses Google‘s search engine to let the users search the site. Mashups can
be implemented using a number of different techniques, like screen scraping (which
comes with its own myriad problems), and different systems/libraries, like
publicly available APIs and RSS feeds.
Mashups are not perfect, however; as
described in the link above, they face a number of different technical and
social dilemmas that can greatly impact their usefulness. The largest of the
technical dilemmas is that much of the systems currently available are not up
to snuff and certain required plug-ins are not yet universal. The quality of the
data gathered from these techniques is also in question, as much of it is
incomplete or difficult to parse and analyze. Among the social dilemmas, the
chief issue for many is the concern over copyright data. Mashups make the
dissemination of copyright information across the web much easier, and concern
over copyrights could place restrictions on how mashups are used.
As
I currently understand mashups, how they work, and the issues that arise about
them, it seems to me that mashups have great potential to change the way we use
the web, but the tech behind them is not yet perfect and the challenges they
face not yet perfectly understood. Many people don’t yet know what to think of
their expanding presence (myself included). They present fascinating possibilities
for use and misuse. They seem like they will make it easier to create great,
useful websites and services, but they also seem like they make it much easier
to steal information.
So, what are the thoughts of others on
this matter? Do the possibilities present by mashups excite, or are you
skeptical of their potential for data stealing and general misuse? Do you think
that the tech behind mashups should be developed more before they start to
become more ubiquitous?
-Noel Hansen.
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