YubNub

YubNub is a (social) networking web service with a command line–style interface. It allows users to create and use commands which are mapped to webpages and web services.

Features

*Commands can be created for most websites and services. (Technically, any web service that can be accessed via an HTTP GET request is supported. HTTP POST support requires a proxy server.) [http://yubnub.org/documentation/describe_advanced_syntax]
*Commands can be chained using a syntax similar to pipes. [http://yubnub.blogspot.com/2005/07/ok-weve-got-pipes-how-to-combine.html]
*YubNub has a simple moderation system. Commands can be reported as spam or nominated for a list of "Golden Eggs" (commands that people think are the most interesting/useful). Currently, all such reports are investigated by the author.
*Tools and instructions have been written to integrate YubNub with various browsers and operating systems. [http://yubnub.org/documentation/describe_installation]
*Currently, YubNub is in active development, with planned features including: integrated screen scraping and the ability to vote on commands, among others. [http://yubnub.org/documentation/describe_upcoming_features]

Commands

A YubNub command is typically a one (1) to ten (10) letter abbreviation or word that corresponds to a web service via a HTTP GET request. There are currently three (3) common command types:
*Global commands.
*Command aliases.
*Personal commands.

Global Commands

Global commands can be set via the create command. Anybody can create these commands and use them without the need of creating an account. All global commands can be seen using the ls command. Notable or unique global commands are nominated for "Golden Eggs", which can all be seen via the ge command. Global commands can be used as follows:
* [command name] [required and/or optional parameters]

Personal Commands

Personal commands are powered by a third-party extension of YubNub called YubNub (aliases). These are set via the !set command and are proprietary to the creator. Personal commands also include the ability to set memos or lists securely. You can view all of your personal commands via the !ls command. There are main commands you need to know before being able to use personal commands:
*"To set:" !set [command name] [url]
*"To use:" ! [command name] [required and/or optional parameters] View the YubNub (aliases) man page [http://yubnub.org/kernel/man?args=%21] for a detailed description of the use of YubNub (aliases).

Command Aliases

Command aliases are "shortcuts" for commands in which you would normally have to type similar parameters for each use, or are unusually long in name. Command aliases are similar to personal commands in that they can only be accessed by the person that set them. Command aliases are typically set with the !seta command, though can also be set via the !create command. The following are some useful ways to use command aliases:
*!seta w weather [your zip code] "(After setting "w" here, you can see your weather forecast without typing your zip code each time.)"
*!seta l [http://yubnub.org/kernel/man?args=gloc gloc] -what !s -where [city, state] "(After setting "l" here, you can perform a Google local search without typing your area each time.)"

Technical details

YubNub is open-source software licensed under the MIT License. It is written in Ruby and uses the Ruby on Rails framework. It was created in June 2005 as a project for the Rails Day programming contest. Currently, Jon Aquino is the sole developer. [http://jonaquino.blogspot.com/2005/06/yubnub-my-entry-for-rails-day-24-hour.html]

Trivia

*As of May 2006, over 11,550 yubnub commands have been created.
*"YubNub" means "freedom" in the language of Star Wars's Ewoks.

External links

* [http://yubnub.org/ YubNub]
* [http://yubnub.blogspot.com/ YubNub's blog]
* [http://groups-beta.google.com/group/YubNub YubNub's Google Group]
* [http://svn.yubnub.org/svn/yubnub/ YubNub's source code]
* [http://www.folksonomy.org/2006/09/interview_with_yubnub.html Interview with YubNub Founder]
* [http://metroblogging.com/yubnub/ YubNub Mobile] (unofficial)
* [http://www.rubnub.org RubNub for YubNub] (unofficial)