Four weeks ago we posted a challenge to developers to build a creative, user-facing app on our REST API. This contest reinforced what we already knew there are a lot of smart and creative developers out there who want to work with real-time information.
Choosing a winner wasn’t easy. In the running for the top prize were entries including a radar-style application that showed a cool visual representation of terms based on how often and how recently they were mentioned, a Greasemonkey script that placed Collecta real-time results right beside your Google results, and a map application that showed the geographic origin of matching real-time results.
Each week we picked an app to highlight as we barreled toward the finish line. We did this to expose more great entries. Here is a recap of the weekly winners, followed by the finalists and grand prize winner of a new Macbook Pro.
Week 1: Dan Appleman.
Dan submitted a JavaScript widget that can be placed on your website in a couple of ways and delivers a focused Collecta feed to your site. Here is what Dan had to say about his entry: “As a blogger and gadget columnist, I thought it would be nice to make it possible for anyone visiting one of my posts to be able to quickly see the very latest stories on the subject covered in the post. As a pure Javascript solution, it’s adaptable to virtually any web site.”
We picked Dan’s entry for week 1 because of the ability to share and the flexibility of implementation. For more details on Dan’s app visit http://danappleman.com/?page_id=114
Week 2: Livius Cerneka
Livius submitted the Synchro Explorer. The app simply asks “What are you thinking about now?” and attempts to show you “Who is thinking what you are thinking”. Livius explains, “It could be interesting to discover unexpected and unpredictable connections.”
We picked Livius entry for its simple interface and ability to pick our own search terms. You can see it here. http://liviox.net/synex/synex.cgi
Week 3: Ivo Beckers
Ivo submitted the “radar” app. “Due to the concept of the radar, you can track multiple search requests at once since they’re linked to a sector. And due to the inside-out movement of the items, you only have to focus on the center (where the new items start).” Ivo states.
We picked the Ivo’s submission because of the unique and visual way the results were displayed. We are really looking forward to seeing this one polished up more. Ivo says he plans more features and the ability to pick your own search topics soon.
Week 4: David Bello
David submitted a FireFox plug in that allows you to have a Collecta side bar, as well as right click a word or selected phrase and drop those terms into a Collecta search. According to David he decided to build a firefox add-in because, “When I’m browsing for a certain topic or news, I like to get simultaneous real-time information/updates about what I’m looking for without continuously opening and refreshing multiple web pages”
We picked David’s entry because we really liked the ability to add Collecta into our daily surfing habits. It was super easy to install, and it was with us all day. Get the instructions and download link for the plug in here http://pujaplicaciones.javeriana.edu.co/firefox/index.htm
Finally, out of all the apps submitted we selected our finalists, and our winner:
Finalist – Honorable Mention: Mattias Ekberg
Mattias created a Google Maps mashup showing where real-time results are originating from.
We liked this one for its creativity in blending real time location data into a visual twist on the information we see. Take a look for yourself here http://collecta.sopran.nu/
Finalist – First Runner Up: Jai Ganesh
Jai sent in a Greastmonkey script that mixed Collecta’s real-time results into your normal Google search results.
We really liked seeing our real-time results right there with our Google search, so we picked Jai for this week’s winner. Get the directions and scripts here http://www.ajaxdump.com/2009/10/09/add-realtime-results-to-google-powered-by-collecta/
The Grand Prize Winner!!!
Daniel Goodwin.
Daniel built a Firefox extension that pulls in real-time web content based on the content of the current page in the user’s browser. It takes the page title and parses keywords from that to be used in the Collecta search. These terms change and update as you travel from page to page, also updating the Collecta search, so you are always getting a live feed of items related to whatever ever pages you are browsing.
We felt Daniel’s app stood out for several reasons. It was easy to install; it stayed with you while surfing the web; and it automatically collected items based on pages you were visiting. His app also has a user interface that allowed the user to take control of the flow of information – to easily customize the auto generated search terms, to see the current live stream in real time as new results arrived, and also to review recent in case you missed anything. This clearly illustrates that real-time information is powerful and can also be controlled to serve the user’s needs. Get the install here http://www.box.net/shared/unbpecjpju
The format of Daniel’s entry is a great example for people entering our upcoming XMPP API contest to follow. Not only did he send us information on what the app did and what the limitations of the current version were, but he made a video (http://vimeo.com/6952576) showing the app in action, explaining the thinking behind the app and showing several use cases.
Daniel says his app is unique in that it brings the web to him. “While I’m sitting here at my computer, I can see things in my periphery, or overhear things that are going on around me. Sitting at a site on the web is kind of like sitting in a contained area with no idea of the world going on around you. Collecta is definitely helping to make the web more ‘alive’.”
Thanks to everyone who participated, and remember – you can see the full list of apps created for the Collecta API at http://developer.collecta.com/gallery/
We also have announced the XMPP Real-Time Challenge asking developers to build on the XMPP API for a $2,000 Amazon gift certificate. Enter here http://www.challengepost.com/challenge/collecta-xmpp-api-real-time-challenge
October 15, 2009 at 8:08 pm
Congrats to the winners..
October 26, 2009 at 5:45 am
[...] Even before Google/MS would be adding real-time results – you can get a feel of the real-time data integrated into Google page using the plugin which i wrote for the collecta API contest. Well a “Runner-up prize” was awarded for this plugin – http://blog.collecta.com/2009/10/15/announcing-the-app-master-challenge-winners/ [...]