SmugMug & DataPortability.org
January 23, 2008
I’ve been getting a little flack for not joining DataPortability.org and want to set the record straight:
- SmugMug has believed since the beginning that your photos and metatdata are yours to do with what you will. We view them as being on loan to us for safekeeping, and we take that role very seriously.
- SmugMug has emailed DataPortability to see about joining, contributing, whatever. No response. Don’t ask me why – ask them. I imagine they’re busy.
- SmugMug already supports OpenID (and better support is coming), XFN & FOAF, RSS, Atom & KML, and has a rich API to both store and retrieve your data.
- We’re committed to all of the ideals that DataPortability.org is pushing, and hope to see this stuff become the rule, rather than the exception.
While I’m on my soapbox, I think it’s important to note that many of the participants in the DataPortability project have been making their data portable for many years. I’m not sure why the media is trumpeting each new company that joins as if it’s just gotten religion, but companies like Flickr and SixApart (and us) have been doing more than talking about this for a long time. Give credit where credit is due.
Anyway, whenever we figure out how we can contribute, we will. We love the idea of our customers’ data being portable. It’s the right thing to do.
SmugMug's Don MacAskill 
Hi Don – I am very sorry but I have not seen an email from you. I think the ‘workgroup’ is being deprecated in favor of Action Groups where people just get things done.
I suggest you follow the links on the home page and just jump into the discussion.
We have removed the names from the front page and I am going to be encouraging everyone in the old ‘workgroup’ to do the same.
Cheers,
Chris
It’s a shame that Flickr aren’t 100% on board with data portability, free accounts don’t have API access to the original size images.
Kudos for just doing the implementation. It seems like data portability and open social networks suddenly became PR battlegrounds. Unfortunately announced plans are getting more press than actual implementations (Open Social’s a big example).
Thanks for the nod Don! You’re exactly right, it is really about shipping support for data portability.
This has indeed been going on for years, with little fanfare. My guess is that its good public relation efforts on the part of the newer data portability companies to make them look like the arrival of the cavalry to save the day. Thanks for putting this in perspective. hyundai elantra
Love it! You got me so excited to get one and start shooting video!