News
IBM Opens RSS Spigot for Developers
- By Kurt Mackie
- September 7, 2007
IBM has improved its
developerWorks Web portal, making it easier for users to access information and communities of their choice. New syndication options, accessed at the site, aim to help users deal with a torrent of information, tutorials and blogs on subjects ranging from architecture to XML.
One option is get content from developerWorks via a really simple syndication (RSS) feed. Another is to access it via an Apple iPhone.
The site's content can also be delivered to a browser using Google Gadget, a Netvibes module or a Yahoo Widget. IBM refers to those technologies as "developer gizmos" or service extensions that allow custom access to a site's content. Developer gizmos allow the content to be exported to customizable Web pages, such as MyYahoo and iGoogle, providing information to users in real time.
Another way that users of the site can stay in touch is with "developerWorks spaces," which are portlets covering various topics. Developers can join an existing space or build their own portlet. For instance, a "Java Technologies for Enterprise Systems" portlet consists of a FAQ, blog, forum, J2EE library and podcast section, among other resources.
IBM enhanced the accessibility of its developerWorks site in order to expand its "ecosystem of IT professionals by bringing new technology resources to the user directly," according to Kathy Mandelstein, IBM's director of worldwide developer programs, in a prepared statement.
The improved access will support the general business community too, not just developers.
"This new feature will also allow small businesses and early adopters with no programming skills to take advantage of all of the technology resources IBM has to offer to help businesses build innovative solutions," Mandelstein added.
About the Author
Kurt Mackie is online news editor, Enterprise Group, at 1105 Media Inc.