APML and Engagd FAQ
What is Engagd.com?
Engagd.com is a collection of APIs for creating, remixing and applying APML. The first of its kind. Learn more about APML at www.apml.org
What is APML?
APML stands for Attention Profiling Markup Language. It is a file format for storing a user's Attention Profile. Learn more at www.apml.org
What is an Attention Profile?
An Attention Profile is a list of the topics and sources you are interested in, and a value representing your level of interest in them.
What can you do with an Attention Profile/APML file?
Anything you like. It is an open, free standard that you can use in all sorts of magical ways. We are still discovering interesting uses for HTML, RSS and OPML - innovation is the name of the game. Refer to the 'Usage Scenarios' on the www.apml.org site for some initial ideas. Also refer to the Questions below 'What is Profiler' and 'What is ItemRank' to learn what Engagd can do with APML.
Why would I want to support APML?
Because we live in an era of open interoperability and user rights on the web. If you don't support your user's right to choose and take control of their own Attention Data, they will move to a tool that does. Read more about it in this post.
What does Engagd.com have to do with APML?
Engagd.com helps developers create, remix and apply APML in various ways. It is a collection of the first, best set of web-services for adding APML support to your application or mashup.
Who owns Engagd.com?
Engagd is owned by Faraday Media. Faraday Media is a company dedicated to paying attention to Attention. It is also dedicated to protecting user rights by providing tools and services that empower users to take control of their Attention Data and use it for their own personal benefit.
Who else has already implemented APML?
Refer to the bottom of the APML spec wiki to see a list of implementations. Also refer to the APML.org page for an impressive list of individuals and companies supporting the spec and its adoption.
Do I need to use Engagd.com to support APML?
No, APML is an open, free file format. You can write your own APML based tools any time you like. Just follow the APML spec at http://apml.pbwiki.com
What does Engagd.com's Profiler Service do?
"Profiler" converts Attention Data to an Attention Profile. Attention Data can be any sort of data that a user leaves behind to indicate an interest in a piece of content. Their clickstream, their star ratings, their bookmarks etc. Profiler compresses all this data using advanced algorithms and semantic analysis to create an Attention Profile in APML.
What does Engagd.com's ItemRank Service do?
"ItemRank" uses an APML file, along with a complex set of other factors, to rank content based on "Personal Relevancy". For example, if you give ItemRank an RSS feed, it will return the same RSS feed with additional annotation indicating how Personally Relevant each item is to the user based on their interests and other things.
Does ItemRank use Popularity or Collaborative Filtering?
Yes. It uses all the known techniques for content recommendation and filtering as well as a few new ones. The use of APML/user interests is a particularly new innovation as well.
What about the Privacy of my users?
When sending user Attention Data to Engagd, we are never sent any personally identifiable information about users. Each user is assigned a unique identifier chosen by your service for your own reference. The goal of Engagd is actually to give users more control over their Attention Data so they can migrate from service to service. We are helping to build a real, multi-player Attention Economy.
How would I show my users that my service supports APML?
You can use a number of graphics and buttons to link to a user's APML file and show your APML support in your site footer. Here are some graphics you can use or create your own!
I'm an end user, why is Engagd.com not particularly easy to use?
Engagd.com is a platform - not a consumer facing product. We aim to support our partners to add APML features to their own product without competing with them for customers. The Engagd.com user interface is designed only for rudimentary testing of the underlying APIs.
How much does it cost to use Engagd.com in my mashup?
Low-volume and non-commercial use is free - go right ahead.
How much does it cost to use Engagd.com in my commercial product?
Contact us for pricing and partnership information - contact@faradaymedia.com
How do I get started testing the API?
You can log on from the website and test the API using the basic User Interface. You can also learn more about the API on the wiki at http://engagd.pbwiki.com.
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