Facebook: Yep, we're doing the open-source thing
As rumored earlier, Facebook will indeed be announcing an open-source project for its developer platform. The social network released a statement Tuesday to clarify the gossip--while still not offering much in the way of detail.
"We're working on an open-source initiative that is meant to help application developers better understand Facebook Platform and more easily build applications, whether it's by running their own test servers, building tools, or optimizing their applications," a statement from Facebook read.
"As Facebook Platform continues to mature, open-sourcing the infrastructure behind it is a natural step so developers can build richer social applications and share what they've learned with the ecosystem," the statement continued. "Additional details will be released soon."
So it's still not clear as to just how extensive the open-source project, which TechCrunch says is called "fbOpen," will be: whether the entire platform will become an open-source environment or whether there will simply be more open-source principles scattered throughout the technology.
Regardless, this will likely be framed as a grassroots, pro-developer move at a time when some vocal developers have criticized Facebook for being too "corporate."
Caroline McCarthy, a CNET News staff writer, is a downtown Manhattanite happily addicted to social-media tools and restaurant blogs. Her pre-CNET resume includes interning at an IT security firm and brewing cappuccinos. E-mail Caroline.
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