Social Items

Twitter has announced changes in the upcoming version 1.1 of the Twitter Application Programming Interface (API), with stricter guidelines on how third-party applications connect to the service. Michael Sippey, Group Product Manager at Twitter, in the Twitter Developers blog described the move as means to restore consistency in the Twitter experience.

The new changes in the Twitter API includes: requirement of authentication on all API endpoint, a new rate-limiting methodology, and Developer Rules changes for apps that serve as traditional Twitter clients.

Twitter had earlier warned on the new changes, albeit, the actual nature of the turn was shrouded in non-details. However, critics have termed the move rather too drastic and detrimental to further expansion of Twitter ecosystem.

Per-Endpoint Rate Limiting on the API, means that application that only accesses one endpoint may be more restricted, while application that uses multiple endpoints will run into rate limiting issues less frequently. The Twitter API current version 1.0 served a "one size fits all approach", limiting the number of authentication requests an application can make to 350 calls per hour, regardless of the nature of the information concerned. Whilst the new changes will present most individual endpoints at the rate limit of 60 calls per hour restricted to 100,000 individual users token, which according to Twitters own calculation is well above the needs of most applications built on Twitter API, stressing that it will help protect its system from abusive applications. Though high-volume endpoints relating to Twitter display, profile display, look-up and users search will be able to make up to 720 calls per hour per-endpont.

However, if your application already has more than 100,000 individual users tokens, you will still be able to maintain and add new users to your application up to 200% of your current tokens.

Also, developers that are building client applications pre-installed on mobile phones, or SIM components will be required to have their applications certified by Twitter. And Twitter reserve the rights to revoke non-certified applications.

The changes in Developers Rules of the Road implies Display Guidelines will serve as Display Requirements to ensure consistency in the Twitter experience across board.

The new Twitter API v1.1 migration will simultaneously be announced with the deprecation of the current version 1.0, and developers will be given six months to migrate from v1.0 to v1.1.

Twitter users, especially those that are using third-party applications to access the service will experience less error messages, as apps refresh stream becomes more frequent without running up the rate limit. But, as to how the overall changes will affect future users experience remains to be seen.

Twitter Hits Developers with API Restrictions

Facebook has launched a reporting channel to fight phishing attacks targeting its users, comprising attempts to steal users data and login details, by providing an email service whereby users can forward any suspicious email they receive on the platform.

The email service is to compliment its already running phishing detection system, an internal service that notifies its security team on possible phishing threats and its connected websites.

According to an official release note, "Facebook intends to gather more information on phishing sites so as to be able to take them offline" through browser backlisting or actual site takedown where appropriate. Facebook is thereby requesting that users should forward any suspicious email to the provided address: phish@fb.com.

Generally, social networking sites have been the bait of identity scams, a development which has engaged the better part of social networks security concerns over the past months, coupled with the incessant privacy issues. And with the rising influx of fake accounts on popular networking portals, the case of unsolicited emails and phishing threats is the order of the day.

Augmenting existing security mechanisms working at the background to protect users has been the call by security experts, which implementation may well serve the much needed identity theft issues. Facebook is sure on the right footing with the new notification service. 

Facebook Tackles Phishing Attack

Microsoft has clearly decamped to web application and open services even as it demos Outlook Client Email service, Tuesday. The new webmail service will be replacing Hotmail, and represents the next generation of messaging system according to the Outlook blog.

The new Outlook.com, dubbed "modern email designed for the next billion mailboxes", is Microsoft answer to Gmail and Google Enterprise services.

Microsoft Oultlook desktop application  for PC and Mac is perhaps the most popular enterprise application for email and office collaboration, with the Outlook web application, connecting Organizations Exchange Server. The company by the new service intends offering Outlook as an email service for modern browsers and devices.

Outlook.com is built with social networking in mind, instead of only the conventional inbox, users have the option to view updates from popular social networking sites, which includes: Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Linkedin. Also, it includes free web-based versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote, with additional storage space through Microsoft's cloud service, SkyDrive. The Skype messaging capabilities is also featured in the new webmail service.

It automatically sorts your messages from contacts, newsletters, shipping updates, and social updates, and with the "Sweep" features you can move, delete and set up powerful rules.

Hotmail users who want to upgrade to Outlook.com preview simply need to go to option menu of Hotmail and click on "upgrade". While, email address, password, contacts, old email, and rules will remain unchanged, and you can send or receive email from your @hotmail.com or @msn.com or @live.com address.You can also add an @Outlook.com email address to your account.

Microsoft Web-based Outlook Email Service

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