Social network tools for your businessAngela Bartels (@rackcloud) and Randy Bear (@RBearSAT)

What is an API?Stands for Application Programming Interfacehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Application_programming_interfaceWay to leverage the platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Rackspace Cloud, etc.) through any application using the APIFacebook and Twitter provide the platform, the crowd provides the cool applications

Why are APIs importantLets you leverage the social media channels without loosing the userLeverages the “trust” factor through social mediaIncreases personalization and customizationEasily reaches out to a large audienceFacebook – 250 million users, grows “an Austin” every day (source: Inside Facebook)Twitter – 25 million users, 100 million by 2010(source: Twitter)

APIs, widgets and social mediaA way to connect to the social media platform without leaving your application or siteFacebook and Twitter provide the documentationProvides more flexibility for your businessThey make it easy with examplesTwitter API (http://apiwiki.twitter.com/)Facebook Connect (http://developers.facebook.com/connect.php)YouTube (http://code.google.com/apis/youtube/overview.html)

Twitter APIAllows integration of Twitter with your applicationTwitpicTweet CongressTwitter provides OAUTHto log you into Twitter without you seeing the credentialshttp://apiwiki.twitter.com/OAuth-FAQYou can also build your own applications using the Twitter APITweetDeckSeesmic

Facebook ConnectEasily let users share content with a link or buttonSample insertionEasily let users log into your site using Facebook credentialsLeverage a user’s data for a richer experienceAllow visitors to share info with other Facebook friends

ExamplesNetflix – Facebook ConnectUSA Today – Facebook ConnectRackspace Cloud blog– Twitter APITweet Congress – Twitter APIShare This – Twitter API