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Subjects Author Language Messages Last message
[Locked] Facebook Applet v2
jesuisbenjamin English 5 jesuisbenjamin [Read]
27 April 2011 à 16:31

Do you feel it is crucial to have notifications for (1)

Yes it is crucial.
 
100% (1)
No it is not really relevant.
 
0% (0)

jesuisbenjamin, Sunday 24 April 2011 à 16:56


Subscription date : 28 October 2009
Messages : 415
Hello there,

I am preparing a new version of the Facebook Applet that does not depend on FBCMD, and there are two ways of going about it:

  1. using the Facebook API ( see documentation over here).
  2. using the lighter version of Facebook, Facebook Mobile


I don't feel very comfortable with the first one technically, but that's something i can learn. Another drawback is that to deal with the API, one must register the application. To do so more information about the developer (myself) is required, namely mobile phone number or credit card number. The country i reside in is not listed among phone services and i don't feel like providing my CC to Facebook. Besides, i don't see what my private information has to do with an application which can be used publicly. (??)

The second is easier to deal with, it's a matter of blind-browsing with urllib2 and parsing the html. This does not require any registration but there are few drawbacks. One of these is that there is no notification of "likes". Important: the second method may be against Facebook Terms of Services.

Consequently i want to poll and see what you think, if you are a Facebook user, fill in the form and post your advice if you have any. Thanks.

[PS EDIT: maybe one can help me fix the title of the poll... thanks ]

Eduardo Mucelli, Monday 25 April 2011 à 17:54


Subscription date : 05 August 2009
Messages : 285
Some time ago I thought about a Facebook plugin, and ended up being blocked by the same Facebook developer registration. Would not be dificult to code the second version, but since it is based on HTML parsing, it would be very sensible to any change in the FB's layout. I wrote several things with HTML scraping, and some for CD. It is very boring keep track of what is changing in the websites' layout to make sure that your application is always up to date. I would code this Facebook plugin if the first option was available for me.

jesuisbenjamin, Monday 25 April 2011 à 18:53


Subscription date : 28 October 2009
Messages : 415
Yep you're right. I've been looking for it quite a bit and the best i could find is was this this python script. But then each user would have to register his / her own API, which i think would constitute a barrier to using the applet. It's kind of silly from Facebook, simple task such as getting notifications or reading messages should not be so cumbersome. If i compare with Twitter, where you can post and read with Gwget or Curl, these are two worlds apart and i'd choose for the latter. I have dislike for monopolistic and big-brother-ish institutions.
So unless someone comes up with a better idea, i'll stick to FBCMD as an engine for the applet.

matttbe, Tuesday 26 April 2011 à 14:32


Subscription date : 24 January 2009
Messages : 12573
For me it can be interesting to use the lighter version of Facebook even if it's against Facebook Terms of Services but it will be annoying to maintain your applet if they change their website (as said Eduardo).

Your python script (Facebook.py) is also a good idea but it uses urllib... (except that it's not you who maintain this library so it's maybe easier ). For me it's no a problem to register his/her own API if it's explained (you can use our wiki). You've to do the same thing with Twitter too! I think the method with curl no longer works...

fabounet, Wednesday 27 April 2011 à 16:26


Subscription date : 30 November 2007
Messages : 17118
I think that Eduardo has pointed the main problem here.

If you need a CC number, you can make an e-card number with 1€ on it, it may fool them
of course any other information can be fake ones

PS: what about an identi.ca/twitter applet too ?

jesuisbenjamin, Wednesday 27 April 2011 à 16:31


Subscription date : 28 October 2009
Messages : 415
Ha imma look at this nice tip
And perhaps you should delete your comment to avoid any issue with FB (it's not very much probable but who knows).

I looked at Twitter, it seems easier, there are also better / lighter engines out there, ready made for us.

Also i'd like to do more with these applets, namely to provide a nice feed in a dialog. But it requires more dashboard-like dialogue like i mentioned before or perhaps more discrete notifications so any new message could be notified with a synopsys. There's no rush for that, but you should think about it

Applets | Applets

Subjects Author Language Messages Last message
[Locked] Facebook Applet v2
jesuisbenjamin English 5 jesuisbenjamin [Read]
27 April 2011 à 16:31


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