AppHarbor API Contest
A few months ago we released the AppHarbor API, giving you control over your account via a simple HTTP and JSON based interface. The API allows you to create and edit applications, manage configuration variables and hostnames for those applications and retrieve your build and test status along with application error logs. Learn more about the available resources in the API Documentation.
We’re excited by the possibilities offered by the API and today we're launching our first API contest to tap into the collective creativity of our users and reward you for the awesome things you build. Read on below for details on prices and ideas.
The Prizes
AppHarbor staff will judge the entries and pick a first, second and third prize based on the combination of usefulness, originality, completeness and overall awesomeness of the entry.
In addition to fame and community love won by successful entries, we have a great set of prizes lined up:
- Apple 27" Thunderbolt Cinema Display
- The new iPad, 32GB, WiFi
- Xbox 250GB with Kinect and 12-month Xbox Live Membership
First prize gets first pick from the prize pool, second prize gets next pick and third prize gets the remaining item. Everyone who enters will receive an AppHarbor t-shirt.
Some Ideas to Get You Started
Entries for the contest can use any part of the HTTP API, service hooks or build URLs. That gives you a lot of areas to explore, but here are some ideas we drummed up for things we'd love to see you build:
- Desktop notifications for builds, errors, etc.
- Email/SMS/push notifications
- Browser extensions
- Acceptance testing and auto-rollback
- Visual Studio add-ins or integration
- Mobile account control
- Application health dashboard or analytics
- WebDeploy bridge using a build URL
You could also let yourself be inspired by AppHarbify which we think is a great use the AppHarbor platform and the API. More about AppHarbify here.
You don't have to build something on this list, surprise us with your creativity!
Save Time with AppHarbor.NET
Nikolas Tziolis has created AppHarbor.NET, a wrapper library for the AppHarbor API. We’ve since adopted the project and are keeping it up to date. You can use AppHarbor.NET to quickly get started on your entry. To install it into your project, add the AppHarbor.NET NuGet package which will pull in the required dependencies as well.
In addition to the REST API wrapper, Nikolas has put together a sample ASP.NET MVC application demonstrating how to obtain user authorization with OAuth.
The source code for AppHarbor.NET is available on GitHub and we accept contributions and feedback.
If you want to see more sample code that uses AppHarbor.NET and the API, then check out the AppHarbor command line interface source which is open source and on GitHub
The Fine Print
This contest is open to anyone and everyone, except those living in places where contests like this are illegal. If you live somewhere where it is infeasible to send you a prize, we'll work something out with you.
Entries are due Tuesday July 3rd at Noon Pacific Time (in two weeks). Submit your entry here.
