There are a few things to consider before attempting to build a Mashup including but not limited to knowing what a Mashup is and how much of a nerd you (or your friends) are.
The first thing you’ll need, of course, is an idea — simple is good, useful is better. A good place to start is by taking a common task, like searching for real estate on Craigslist, and making it easier or more efficient (mashing the Craigslist data up with Google Maps to create a unified experience).
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Mashups can fall almost anywhere on the scale of complexity, and starting from scratch with just an idea and a blank text file may seem frightening. Fortunately, a few leading companies have decided that Mashups are more than worth the effort, so they’ve taken the time to make the process of creating a mashup just a bit easier. The video clip above demonstrates just how simple it can be to make a cool Mashup. The links below tell you where to sign up.
Many of the most popular APIs such as Google Maps and YouTube are relatively simple to use, while others, like a shopping cart service, will require a bit more fortitude to master (and rightly so). Additionally, most APIs are built to work with a variety of programming languages, but your experience will vary. A little Googling will go a long way.
You’ll also need to consider where you’ll host your Mashup. Server-side language is often something you’ll need to consider when hosting. Do they support PHP, Ruby on Rails or might you need Windows hosting? We recommend Dreamhost because they’ve been great to MashupAwards.com and have a load of one-click installs (to make it fast and efficient to throw up a site).
To get you started, use the promo code mashupawards for $50 off any hosting package at Dreamhost.
What makes a Mashup great. AKA MashupAwards Judging Criteria.