The basic problem is, I have strong disincentives to expand the API.
Let's say, for example, I exposed search via the API. The immediate
effect would be to DDOS the search engine.
Every improvement I make to the API creates a huge additional
workload, to handle the new clients that pop up to use and abuse the
feature.
I've talked to other projects and it seems to be the universal
experience that an API endpoint gets hammered in a way the actual site
never does. People will, through neglect or indifference, throw up
scripts that try to make thousands of calls a minute.
An API tax would create a dedicated revenue stream I could pour
directly back into the API, both by adding hardware and hiring
contractors. And I would not feel like I was taking resources away
from other parts of the site to do it.
Does that clarify my motives a bit?
On Mar 16, 5:38 am, Stephen Darlington <
step...@zx81.org.uk> wrote:
> I'm curious about the motivation behind this. Do API users consume a disproportionate amount of resources?
>
> Would it not make more sense to provide a better API and rate limits rather than "taxing" people who help build your "ecosystem"?
>
> (Full disclosure: I'm not entirely impartial here, since I make Yummy.)
>
> Cheers,
> Stephen
>
> On 15 Mar 2013, at 15:59, maciej <
mceglow...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > Hi everyone,
>
> > I've been thinking about imposing an API tax, the proceeds of which
> > would go into improving API infrastructure and offsetting operating
> > costs, structured along these lines:
>
> > 1. API free to use for your own Pinboard account
> > 2. Every API client making requests on behalf of someone else must
> > register an app identifier
> > 3. $20/year tax if your app makes requests for over 100 Pinboard
> > accounts
> > 4. $100/year tax if your app makes requests for over 1000 Pinboard
> > accounts
> > 5. Possibly additional price levels to waive certain rate limits.
>
> > These thresholds may change, but that's the gist of it. Think of it
> > as a road tax that then pays for further construction, repair, and
> > people in orange vests.
>
> > Please let me know your comments, and if you have had experience with
> > similar arrangements elsewhere.
>
> > Kind regards,
>
> > Maciej
>
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