Where to start with Amazon web services (AWS)
What is the Amazon Web Service (AWS)?
From Amazon's AWS site (now rebranded Amazon E-Commerce Service (ECS)):
"exposes Amazon’s product data and E-Commerce functionality allowing developers, Web site owners and merchants to leverage the data and functionality that Amazon uses to power its own E-Commerce business. ECS 4.0, which is available free-of-charge, makes it extremely easy for developers to build rich, highly effective Web sites and applications."
Basically AWS is a Web 2.0 enabler - a bunch of APIs that allows you to hack away at Amazon.com all day long and create new stuff.
Where to start with Amazon web services?
Amazon's AWS site is a good place to start. For more depth info there are two books that are worth a look: Amazon Hacks and The Web Developer's Guide to Amazon E-commerce Service
(at Amazon of course!). Keep updated at the official Amazon Web Services blog.
MSDN Coding4Fun has published this article by Paul Berhardt - good for noob coders:
"I wanted to look at how client applications consume a Web service. I chose the Amazon Web services to build an application that searches for books, music or movies based on keywords."
Why bother?
- Well, apart from the fact that AWS allows you to create entirely new cool interfaces, services and remixed applications on top (around for a long time) the Amazon store.
- You can now win $5,000. Amazon and Microsoft have teamed up to run a Developer Contest for the Amazon E-Commerce web service (AWS).
- Here's an idea - 'Virtual Earth hacks meets Amazon hacks' - build one cool remix and enter the single creation to both the Virtual Earth Developer Contest AND the Amazon / Microsoft Developer Contest - then win both, happy days :-)
- Maybe a search interface into the VE mapping engine with Amazon affiliate results including local guide and history books and more - ping me if you want to co-develop the idea - I'm not eligable for the cash prize (so you keep the money - but happy to help you with UX and biz modelling - a bit of fun for me)
- Here's an idea - 'Virtual Earth hacks meets Amazon hacks' - build one cool remix and enter the single creation to both the Virtual Earth Developer Contest AND the Amazon / Microsoft Developer Contest - then win both, happy days :-)
Any more excuses needed?
"Build an innovative and entrepreneurial application using Visual Studio 2005 with Amazon Web Services and you can win the grand prize: $5,000! The first 100 entries will receive an Amazon Web Services t-shirt." "Judging
- Creativity of ApplicationThe uniqueness of the idea or implementation.
- AWS Service IntegrationThe quality and extent to which the AWS services are integrated into the application as a whole.
- Commercial AppealThe consumer or business value represented in the application, e.g., is there market appeal for the application?
- Fit and PolishHow good is the look and feel? How stable and robust is the application?"