Project Silk Road: new Live Search API version 2.0 beta

Kip Kniskern — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 17:47:41 GMT

As just announced at PubCon, and now posted on Dev.Live.com, Live Search has released a “new generation of search engine API”. Dubbed “Project Silk Road” the new version offers new interfaces through JSON, and XML over HTTP, in addition to the previously supported SOAP interface. The new API set is now strongly typed, and offers access to 7 result types (web, news, images, phonebook, spell-checker, related queries, and Encarta instant answer).

In addition, Live Search for the first time is opening up a pilot program (US only, with restrictions) allowing you to incorporate advertisements into search results pages on your website.

You can get started with “Silk Road" starting today.

New Messenger library – and a word about Windows Live Dev (dev.live.com)

Kip Kniskern — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 13:27:00 GMT

The latest tidbit on Windows Live Dev, a new version 2.0 of the Messenger library (you can get the messenger library from a .js url on the blog page). Some worthwhile improvements to the library, of course, including sorted contacts lists, access to contact picture display links, sign in control color customization, new documentation, and more.

The Messenger Library is only one of many content features on Dev.Live.com. We haven’t featured the site in quite a while, and since we kind of owe Angus for outing his fan club, we thought we would take a look around.

As you can see, site design and navigation are well done. The site is easy to get around, while packing in lots of information:

Dev.live.com offers overviews of developer features of Windows Live and related products, as well as SDKs (Software Development Kits), and forums where you can post questions and/or find answers. We’ve posted on it before, but a shining example of a great SDK is the Virtual Earth Interactive SDK

(composite picture showing each of the views you can click across the top to get)

A favorite project of Angus Logan’s – the Windows Live QuickApps, can be found at Dev.live.com too. They are functional starter apps using Windows Live resources that you can download, and use as is, or take apart and see how they work, or modify:

The Mashups section has been greatly enhanced, with lots of examples (195 so far!) of cool stuff you can do with Windows Live developer tools:

…and speaking of tools, don’t forget the Windows Live Tools for Visual Studio (now with the Virtual Earth control!):

Lots more on Dev.live.com, too – including Live ID authentication, contacts and photo controls, Live Search, Silverlight Streaming, Feedsync, and more. If you’re a developer looking for great tools, or a student or hobbyist just starting out, Dev.live.com is a great resource.

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Project Silk Road: new Live Search API version 2.0 beta

New Messenger library – and a word about Windows Live Dev (dev.live.com)