Feedster Launches Developer Network and Contest

Developer Contest and Network Launch

Feedster, the platform that powers sophisticated RSS and blog search, has just announced a new initiative aimed at tapping the creativity of the wider developer community. The company is rolling out a developer network that opens the door to collaboration, recognition, and, most importantly, a contest that rewards the most inventive uses of Feedster’s core technology.

Scott Johnson, VP of Engineering, opened the conversation with a clear statement of intent: “We created a contest with a meaningful reward to show our appreciation for the efforts developers put forth to conceive new and innovative uses for Feedster’s Search applications.” Johnson’s remarks underscore the company’s recognition that the real value of Feedster’s API lies in how developers repurpose it to meet unique user needs.

At the heart of the competition is a set of distinct categories designed to encourage a wide spectrum of solutions. Participants can submit a standalone RSS aggregator, a web application that leverages Feedster’s search, or a specialized site such as a job board built on feedster.com. Other categories invite developers to create educational tools, like tutorials for newcomers to RSS, or documentation that showcases advanced search features.

Extending beyond web sites, the contest also welcomes browser extensions for Safari, Firefox, and Thunderbird, as well as publishing engine integrations for platforms such as TypePad and WordPress. To keep the field lively and inventive, there are special awards for the “oddest” use of Feedster and a wildcard prize for the overall favorite application.

The prize itself is a playful nod to the tech era of the early 2000s: winners receive a classic iPod. While the hardware may be nostalgic, the prize symbolizes the idea that the best innovations will keep users listening to the future of information consumption.

Beyond the trophies, winning developers earn a spot in the newly formed Feedster Developer Network as Founding Members. Their names will appear prominently in the network directory, accompanied by links to their winning entries and personal or project websites. This visibility not only offers recognition but also positions these developers as go‑to experts for others looking to build on Feedster’s capabilities.

For those curious about the judging criteria or wishing to see past entries, Scott Johnson has taken the initiative to document the process on his blog. The blog contains detailed descriptions of each category, submission guidelines, and the scoring rubric that the panel will use to assess the entries. Readers are encouraged to follow the updates there for any rule clarifications or changes to the prize structure.

The contest is open to any type of development work. Even if a solution has already been posted to the Feedster Hacks portal, it remains eligible for consideration. This inclusive approach acknowledges that the innovation ecosystem is not limited to brand‑new projects; existing hacks can still spark new ways of engaging with the Feedster API.

Feedster’s own infrastructure, originally designed to deliver high‑performance search across billions of RSS feeds, now serves as a catalyst for a broader community effort. By offering a platform where developers can experiment, showcase, and win recognition, Feedster signals its commitment to staying at the forefront of content discovery and delivery.

In short, the combination of a structured contest, tangible rewards, and an emerging developer network sets the stage for a wave of creative projects that will extend Feedster’s reach far beyond its original scope. For anyone interested in building on a robust search engine, the call to action is clear: dive into the feed, write your own code, and bring a fresh perspective to the world of content aggregation.

Feedster Hacks: A Hub for Innovation

Feedster has also cultivated a separate space dedicated to showcasing and cataloging the work that developers are already doing with its technology. The Feedster Hacks portal functions as both a blog and a directory, offering a curated look at the range of extensions, bookmarklets, and specialized search mechanisms that have emerged from the community.

Launched by Steven M. Cohen of librarystuff.net, Feedster Hacks serves as a central repository where developers can submit their projects for public viewing. The portal is intentionally inclusive, welcoming anything from simple bookmarklets that filter RSS feeds to complex integrations that embed Feedster search into existing publishing workflows.

Each entry in the directory includes a brief description, the technologies used, and a link to the live demo or source code. This transparency allows other developers to replicate, remix, or build upon these projects. It also gives non‑technical users a clear sense of what’s possible with Feedster’s API, sparking new ideas and use cases.

Beyond listing individual hacks, Feedster Hacks plays an educational role. The blog posts often walk readers through the problem statement, the chosen solution, and the technical steps required to replicate the hack. These articles act as tutorials, lowering the barrier for newcomers who may be unfamiliar with the intricacies of RSS parsing or search query construction.

The portal’s design emphasizes discoverability. Visitors can filter projects by category, such as “browser extensions,” “web applications,” or “advanced search utilities.” This structure helps developers identify which types of solutions have already been explored and where there might still be gaps for innovation.

Because the platform is community‑driven, it encourages a feedback loop. Users can comment on projects, ask for clarification, or propose enhancements. Developers, in turn, can refine their hacks based on real‑world input. This dynamic interaction fosters an ecosystem of continuous improvement and collective learning.

For those looking to participate, the submission process is straightforward. Prospective contributors upload a brief write‑up, a link to their project, and any relevant documentation or source files. Once approved, the hack appears in the directory and is eligible for recognition in the upcoming developer contest.

While Feedster Hacks stands on its own, it complements the broader contest by providing a backdrop of existing work. Developers who submit to the contest can reference the Hack portal to showcase how their solutions differ from or build upon prior entries. This context not only enriches the judging process but also highlights the evolving landscape of Feedster‑powered innovation.

Overall, Feedster Hacks exemplifies the power of open collaboration. By offering a shared stage for experimentation and learning, the portal ensures that the community remains engaged, informed, and continually inspired to push the boundaries of what’s achievable with RSS and blog search.