Lately I’ve been writing a lot about how the New York Times has impressively been going open source with its data and opening up various APIs to the public programming community. Well, if you were thinking this post was going to be another API release… you’re right. BUT, the Times also has another new exciting announcement.
First of all, the new API: dubbed the NYT Newswire API, this new programming interface will allow instant – yes I do mean instant – access to every New York Times article as it is published.
“With the Times Newswire API, you can get links and metadata for Times articles as soon as they are published on NYTimes.com. The Times Newswire API provides an up-to-the-minute stream of published items.”
Personally, I’m not a programmer, so I don’t fully appreciate everything these API’s have to offer, but I know the devoloper community is surely excited about the plethora of access points to NYT data. It will be interesting to see what sorts of applications are created with open access to these keys.
Now for the OTHER New York Times story: a proposed community blog network. According to a Brooklyn blogger, on Monday the New York Times will begin a network of blogs at the local level:
“Starting next week, The New York Times will be rolling out a neighborhood blog initiative starting mid-day on Monday… According to an email that was forwarded to us, the subject matter will include “cultural events, bar and restaurant openings, real estate, arts, fashion, health, social concerns and anything else that goes on in the ‘SoHo of Brooklyn.’”
Though this has not been confirmed or announced by the Times itself, it doesn’t seem to be too far fetched an idea. The Times already has several successful blogs of its own and helped fund WordPress and other web publishing platforms.
When it comes to the future of newspapers, the New York times seems to be doing to most to keep its head above water and to embrace Web technology. I only hope their well of money doesn’t run dry too soon.
Chris Cameron 