The APIStrat Tech Un-Workshop @ Gluecon

I'm very pleased to announce that our friends over at the API Strategy and Practice Conference (Kin Lane and Steven Willmott) will be hosting the APIStrat Tech Un-Workshop in conjunction with Gluecon. This workshop A) is an unconference (the participants set the agenda); B) is free and open to the public (though we only have 150 seats); and C) is on May 20th (the day before Gluecon starts) from 1-6pm.Here's a bit more of a description:The event will be a half day run in conduction with Gluecon on the 20th of May. There will be three parallel technical tracks each tackling a current key growth area in API Technology. The format is an an “Un-conference” (in this case an “Un-workshop”) with participants setting the Agenda:a) Each starting with lighting talks on different frameworks, challenges and experiences.b) Followed by identification of key discussion items, open format discussion to proceed on these sub-topics.c) Ending with a wrap up from each of the subtopics.d) Topped off with drinks in the Tap Room and networking to get set for Gluecon.e) Discussion will be captured and published as short or long form blog or other discussions.The objective is to advance state of the art and understanding both of existing frameworks but also where more technical development might take us.The three selected tracks are:Track 1: Realtime and Event Based APIs: many new API applications require not only standard polling of data but realtime push data notifications and event generation/distribution. Building these APIs reliably and in an easy to use manner is a significant challenge, with several frameworks and architectures available. This track will explore realtime and evented APIs: when should they be used, how do the frameworks differ, how can they learn from each other, what are key things to watch out for when applying the frameworks.Track 2: API Service Descriptions and Discovery: as the number of APIs proliferates better formats are needed to define and describe the interfaces they provide, as well as model the APIs on creation. Emerging formats such as Blueprint, Swagger, RAML, WADL, SOAP and Hypermedia Profiles all provide different ways of modeling and defining an API. On this track, discussion will explore the differences between these formats, their commonalities and differences as well projecting what might be needed in the future. Further it will explore how to promote machine readable format adoption and discovery of published formats and instances of APIs.Track 3: APIs and The Internet of Things: APIs combined with embedded software and network enabled devices is a potentially spectacular area of growth in the next few years with seemingly boundless possibilities. This track will explore the various uses of APIs with IOT and their challenges. Questions include: what frameworks and architectures make sense? what larger issues need to be resolved - such as security, identity, registries, compatibility and standards?(Please note that registering for the un-workshop does NOT get you access to the Gluecon sessions and activities on the 21st and 22nd.)If you're coming in for Gluecon, arrive early and come talk APIs. If you're local to the area, come out the Omni Interlocken for the afternoon to talk APIs. But, remember, there are only 150 seats, and you MUST register ahead of time to grab one.