OpenStrands FAQ

General Questions

Q. What is OpenStrands?

OpenStrands is a set of web services. A web service is a functional component that you can access programmatically over the web using standard internet protocols. For more information, see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_services.

Q. Who is OpenStrands for?

OpenStrands is for developers interested in adding MyStrands functionality to their non-commercial applications.

Q. What functionality does OpenStrands offer?

OpenStrands services allow you to programmatically perform many of the same functions available to you through the MyStrands website using a browser. The platform currently includes account, catalog, recommendation, playlist, tagging, and community services.

Q. What are the Terms of Service?

The Terms of Service are described here: http://www.MyStrands.com/openstrands/terms.vm

Q. Is there a usage limit?

There is a limit of 5,000 queries per day. This is put in place in order to manage the limited resources more efficiently among the users. If you have plans to develop something more heavyweight please let us now in advance by sending an email to openstrands-support@MyStrands.com and we will consider making exceptions.

Pricing Questions

Q. What does it cost to use OpenStrands?

Use of OpenStrands is free to registered MyStrands users.

Q. Can I develop commercial applications using OpenStrands?

No. OpenStrands is for non-commercial user only. For commercial web services, contact sales@MyStrands.com.

Technical

Q. What is the architecture of the OpenStrands API?

OpenStrands uses the architectural approach to web services known as Representational State Transfer (REST). For more information about REST, see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Representational_State_Transfer

OpenStrands web services accept either HTTPS GET or POST requests, with all information encoded in parameter key-value pairs. Every HTTPS request to OpenStrands begins with the base URL: https://www.MyStrands.com/services/

OpenStrands returns its responses as XML documents conforming to the schema:

https://www.MyStrands.com/services/namespaces/2006-02-01

Q. Does OpenStrands plan to support SOAP?

Not at this time. We may provide a SOAP API in the future, if there is significant demand from users. We believe REST is easier to use. For instance, Amazon has both SOAP and REST interfaces to their web services, and reportedly 85% of their usage is of the REST interface.

Q. How do I get started?

All requests to OpenStrands require a subscriberId. You must sign up for a subscriber ID before you can use OpenStrands: Apply here

OpenStrands returns its responses as XML conforming to the schema:

https://www.MyStrands.com/services/namespaces/2006-02-01

You can experiment with OpenStrands requests and responses using nothing more than a Web browser capable of displaying XML documents. Enter an OpenStrands URL into your browser's address bar, and the browser displays the raw XML response. For example:

https://www.MyStrands.com/services/lookup/artists
?id=15396&id=8625&subscriberId={subscriberId}

{subscriberId} is your subscriber ID.

Q: What programming languages does OpenStrands support?

You can call OpenStrands services programmatically from any language capable of issuing an HTTPS request and parsing the XML response. Our SDK provides examples in various languages, including Java, C#, and Python. Studying these examples is one of the best ways to learn how to use OpenStrands.

Q: Where can I get help with OpenStrands?

First, please look at the example source code included in the SDK, and check the online documentation.

If you still have questions, you may send email to: openstrands-support@MyStrands.com
Since this is a beta service, we cannot guarantee that we will respond to every email we receive, but we do value your feedback and suggestions.

You can also join the OpenStrands Development group.