This morning I got into work early (6:30am, which is early for me) and decided to add the ability to define special methods to Rest Toolkit (original blog entry). “Special” in this case means adding the ability to call specific methods which allow special processing for a resource. (more…)

Last week Dave and I were trying to figure out the best way to synchronize member data from an asp application with a WordPress installation. I don’t remember how it came up in conversation, but in a flurry of chatter we decided that we should build a RESTful API to allow the applications in question to communicate. In the interest of re-usability we also decided that we should build a generic toolkit. One that could easily be used to expose an API for any supported database, through PHP. So, using this toolkit you should quite easily get your Lasso application talking with your PunBB software, if that’s what you need.

So was born rest-toolkit. We have released an alpha version of the project, so download it and give it a try. I hope you don’t mind a lack of formal documentation. Depending on how things go documentation will follow. (more…)

Recently I worked on a project where all member data was being managed through a third party member management service, provided by a company named Avectra. The product does more than manage member data from the looks of things, but all I cared about was interaction with the member management API.

I had to authenticate against an external data source, as well as query the data source for member information when needed. Avectra does have a web service API which it has named xWeb. Here is a quote from their Wiki:

xWeb is netFORUM’s XML web services application. netFORUM is an enterprise level Association Management System (AMS) developed by Avectra that allows associations to manage their customers and related activities. netFORUM is used by association staff, members, and the public at large.

(more…)