API requests are taking longer than usual due to a surge in post volume.  We're working on a longer term solution to add capacity and apologize for the inconvenience.   We'll keep you updated as we go.

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Fresh off the launch of our new API, we're hosting a Hack Day on Saturday July 16th to provide anyone using the Posterous API with direct access to our development team.

Who: Any developer interested in using the Posterous API to build something cool.  So far, we know of mobile apps and a few web services built on top of Posterous. Whether you need ideas on what to build, are looking to team up with someone else or are already working on an app, the Posterous dev team will be here to help.
 
What:  API overview sessions, office hours for anyone with questions and end of day demos.  Plenty of food, red bull and beer.  After we're done, we'll take everyone out for drinks.   
 
When: Saturday July 16th 10am - 6pm PDT
 
Where: Posterous HQ at 2973 16th Street in San Francisco.   Also available via IRC ( #posterous-dev on freenode).

Why: Learn the best ways to use our technology stack. You'll meet other Rails experts. You could win a prize.

How:  Tell us that you are coming.  Give  us your API feature requests in the comments so we can add them before the 16th.  Then just show up with a laptop, your brain and your appetite.

July 12th update: The first 50 in-person attendees will receive the official Posterous Hack Day shirt.  

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Today, we're happy to announce a new API that allows third-party developers to access the full Posterous technology stack.

The new API gives developers unprecedented access to methods and actions that were formerly available only to the core Posterous engineering team including the ability to create sites, add users for those sites and assigning  custom themes for each user.   Additionally, we've added API methods for retrieving and manipulating data around sites, users, posts, comments, and a number of other Posterous data types.

Aside from just adding new endpoints, we've also designed the API to be super easy to use. The new API is RESTful and presents a clean and concise set of URLs whose intent is easy to parse and understand. Moreover, we've designed the API site to be a powerful developer tool for working with the new API. Not only does this site document every single available method, it also allows developers to interface directly with the API from their browsers. Using this new tool, developers can experiment by dynamically changing the parameters and inspecting the response.

The use cases for the new API are impressive - whether you are empowering your users to be editors like Pulse did or distributing your content in real-time like Turner Broadcasting did for March Madness, our API can power it.  Another great example is Oxfam, who are using the Posteorus API to to drive awareness and participation in their recently announced campaign to grow a better future.   Anyone visiting the Oxfam grow site will soon be able to sign up and create a blog, hosted on the grow.gd domain (e.g. chris.grow.gd) with a custom theme developed by Obox.  All of the Grow blogs will contain an embedded grow widget to educate consumers on the growing food crisis and solicit their ideas for creating a different future.   And, of course, anyone signing up through Oxfam will have a full Posterous account and access to all our feature.

We can't wait to see what you do with it and welcome your feedback on how we can make it better. Start by checking out our new API site.

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