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Ask HN: Rate my startup mashape.com

8 points by fosk 16y ago

http://www.mashape.com Mashape is an API marketplace for developers that want to distribute or consume any kind of service that runs somewhere on a server. It's in private alpha now, but I'll give you an account almost immediately if you use the invite code "HACKERNEWS". I'd like to have some feedback on: 1) Do you find it interesting? 2) In the first 30 seconds on the site, did you have any good or bad thoughts about Mashape? 3) Did you find the Guide section, and the sample code, easy to understand? Thank you.

mgkimsal 16y ago
Clickable: http://www.mashape.com http://www.mashape.com
wrath 16y ago
1. Yes 2. I got that the site was about making creating APIs easier for developers, like me, but I wasn't sure how it would make it easier. 3. Since I wasn't sure how exactly this would help me I had to dig through the guide to find out. Since you're audience are server-side developers, having flow charts or some charts object model showing the relationship of the mashape.com service, my code and my data. I think I got it, but correct me if I'm wrong. 1. I download your SDK. 2. I generate my endpoints on my server to get/set data 3. I generate an xml definition so I can upload to your server. 4. You start providing the REST endpoints to my data How about reporting? How about SSL support?
- fosk 16y ago
  Hi wrath, thanks for your feedback. I'll update the Guide to make it more clear, the flow is: 1) You download the Library. 2) Write your implementation, in a PHP file that includes the Library, without caring about handling HTTP requests, verbs, errors, serializing responses, etc. 3) At this point you have declared some methods, as usual, and in an XML file you specify the name of those you want to distribute and automatically the Library creates a REST API for your methods that handles all the API stuff for you. 4) Just tell us the URL where the Library is located, and that's it. Without uploading anything. SSL Support: Just put the library under SSL on your server. Reporting: We'll extend our platform with API analytics. Here are some samples: http://www.mashape.com/guide/publish/php#samples http://www.mashape.com/guide/publish/php#samples
wilhelm 16y ago
I keep getting internal server errors (500).
- sinzone 16y ago
  Sorry, try now.
fbnt 16y ago
Hey guys, I've heard about Mashape before (tagliaerbe etc.) but never really had a chance to get a closer look at it. As a developer myself, I can see what the whole thing is about, but it's not super clear what are the advantages of using that, from the API owner/developer standpoint. How can you help me increase visibility/traction? Should I fear getting exceedingly tied to your architecture? This should be clarified imho. I also wish the API library were public and searchable without having to register, but maybe this is just an alpha version restriction. The guide is clear and well redacted, but before getting started with the documentation, I'd rather see more real use examples, show me how to use the library or create the api.php/xml file. All in all, very good execution. Keep up the good work!

8 points by fosk 16y ago

mgkimsal 16y ago

Clickable: http://www.mashape.com http://www.mashape.com

wrath 16y ago

1. Yes 2. I got that the site was about making creating APIs easier for developers, like me, but I wasn't sure how it would make it easier. 3. Since I wasn't sure how exactly this would help me I had to dig through the guide to find out. Since you're audience are server-side developers, having flow charts or some charts object model showing the relationship of the mashape.com service, my code and my data. I think I got it, but correct me if I'm wrong. 1. I download your SDK. 2. I generate my endpoints on my server to get/set data 3. I generate an xml definition so I can upload to your server. 4. You start providing the REST endpoints to my data How about reporting? How about SSL support?

fosk 16y ago
Hi wrath, thanks for your feedback. I'll update the Guide to make it more clear, the flow is: 1) You download the Library. 2) Write your implementation, in a PHP file that includes the Library, without caring about handling HTTP requests, verbs, errors, serializing responses, etc. 3) At this point you have declared some methods, as usual, and in an XML file you specify the name of those you want to distribute and automatically the Library creates a REST API for your methods that handles all the API stuff for you. 4) Just tell us the URL where the Library is located, and that's it. Without uploading anything. SSL Support: Just put the library under SSL on your server. Reporting: We'll extend our platform with API analytics. Here are some samples: http://www.mashape.com/guide/publish/php#samples http://www.mashape.com/guide/publish/php#samples

wilhelm 16y ago

I keep getting internal server errors (500).

sinzone 16y ago
Sorry, try now.

fbnt 16y ago

Hey guys, I've heard about Mashape before (tagliaerbe etc.) but never really had a chance to get a closer look at it. As a developer myself, I can see what the whole thing is about, but it's not super clear what are the advantages of using that, from the API owner/developer standpoint. How can you help me increase visibility/traction? Should I fear getting exceedingly tied to your architecture? This should be clarified imho. I also wish the API library were public and searchable without having to register, but maybe this is just an alpha version restriction. The guide is clear and well redacted, but before getting started with the documentation, I'd rather see more real use examples, show me how to use the library or create the api.php/xml file. All in all, very good execution. Keep up the good work!