MySpace widget clampdown

Big widget action at MySpace. It seems that a bunch of malignant widgets got into the system and spread like wildfire. MySpace's response has been to change how Flash based widgets operate and try to force a general upgrade to the latest version of Flash. Techcrunch has the full story along with a lot of good commentary for full details:

MySpace users are now being encouraged to download a beta version of Flash 9 in order to view MySpace hosted video.

It's slightly confused and will no doubt hurt the MySpace widget industry that has suddenly sprung up. The Techcrunch item also correctly points out that MySpace, in common with a bunch of other sites such as eBay, doesn't allow Javascript widgets anyway, so no change on this front. We are believers in an Open Widgetsphere, which means no discrimination between widget types, javascript, flash, iframe, embeds, what have you, all are welcome at Snipperoo. My view is that in time sites will find it a competitive disadvantage to not offer access to the mass of javascript widgets and the situation will change. We believe we will help this happen by offering a secure widget platform - more on this in future postings.

Comments

[Ady]

There are a few good things about how MySpace has dealt with this problem, I on the other hand would create a widget system and only allow websites who have joined up to the widget system to add to the website.

However this would mean exclusion on one front, but security on another.

Working out all of these flaws should of been done by the MySpace developer team in anticipation of their widget system.

Its not surprising, with a website that has over a million users, that we are seeing some errors and or new features adding to the system.

[Palak Shah]

Would disagree with the competitive disadvantage of multiple widget types. As long myspace holds the lions share of widgets, companies will create them to fit within those capabilities. However, if a technological limitation causes the need for a new platform, then I can see the move to the new platform.

[jamescoops]

Vee bad news but i guess it was always going to happen. Myspace becomes a closed network...