Czechidea.com

Top 10 Czech Websites without API

There are only few Czech websites which offers API. Next to the maps services (amapy.cz, mapy.cz), where it is considered as industry standard, developers could create mash-ups only with few other services (SMS messaging at mobilem.cz, blogging platform bloguje.cz or bookmark sharing site jagg.cz). Result is obvious: there aren’t any really useful mash-ups using third party API on Czech web (excluding maps).

Here is the list of 10 popular and useful websites, whose APIs, if there would be any, could be killer feature to ignite mash-up development around them. Reason number one: some of these services has poor design, usability or information architecture and only the core data they provide has real value. Reason number two: Better use of these data would be a plus for everyone, competition between interface and mash-ups creators could bring even a way of use, which couldn’t be imagined before.

And one important thing: all these websites Comes from public-funded sources and organizations and at this moment their data are provided for free.

1. IDOS.cz
Timetables service Idos (covers trains, buses, planes and local transport) is No.1 candidate to APIze. There are many way to integrate their data into other websites. Do you host an event, run a hotel or gallery? Let people find best connection from their homes. Wanna see, what are public transport alternatives for traffic-jammed city? Let people find substitute via public transport on your route planner.

Current situation: They even block searches made via forms outside their domains = no third party use possible at all.

2. Justice.cz
Czech business registry API would be a great tool for validation company details in directories and catalogues, also could help in visualisation of relationships between various entities. Could help business media with adding direct links to company profiles which they write about.

Current situation: Direct links on company profiles expires after some time, any other use is impossible.

3. Cpost.cz
Czech post is undergoing heavy innovation wave and offers more and more online services every year. APIs of at least parcel tracking, ZIP codes database and current postage rates would be a big help for any eshop – it would be possible to calculate right postage fee or validate ZIP code for every customer at any time!

Current situation: you can track parcels via web form or download rates in excel.

4. Zelenavlna.cz
I have already wrote about them – API would allow others to realize some of presented ideas in traffic info of Czech radio: podcasts, mash-up with maps, experience sharing…

Current situation: They offer RSS about changes on their website.

5. Volby.cz
Official election portal of the Czech Republic with official data from elections, from aggregated to detailed to the smallest village.

Current situation: Some big media (TVs, newspapers) has direct access to their database and use their data, but it is not public.

6. CHMI.cz
Czech Hydro-meteorological Institute is clearest example of great data combined with website design from 1999. If you aren’t able to create attractive weather reports and weather data presentation, please, let others to do

Current situation: You can parse their data from www.chmi.cz, but it is not the most comfortable way of getting data.

7. CUZK.cz
Real estate register is great service – and would be greatest, if its data would be accessible via API. They don’t allow people to find details about real estates by clicking on maps – which is the far most comfortable way. Recently, http://site.o2.position.cz/ with both real estate register numbers and real map details leaked, but it is originally intended for other use and I expect it won’t last long and will be shut down. Real estate agents could use API to connect their websites with register to show original data about properties they offer.

Current situation: Paid data from real estate register are available in special formats for professionals like developers and survey engineers for their software.

8. CZSO.cz
Czech statistical institute offers a bunch of data sets on its website – from unemployment rates for all regions to natality figures. Analytics, journalists, politics or public authorities could use these data and incorporate them into their work.

Current situation: They offers export to XLS format.

9. Water management portal
Ministry of agriculture runs “water level portal” with updated information about water level on all major Czech rivers (English version here). With our experiences with floods in past 10 years, API with those data could be a basement for application like SMS alerts about water level on specified place.

Current situation: Water level portal passed through huge traffic problems at the moments of flood threats and become unavailable for some time. This is a proof that people are aware of importance of this kind of information.

10. Czech-TV.cz
Last case it Czech TV – as a public funded television, an API with their programme would be a nice tool for all those fan sites about TV series to keep track when particular show is running.

Current situation: You can track their online news broadcasting and few other programmes via RSS.

I have to admit that I have no clue if there are any similar tools and APIs available elsewhere in the world. I will be glad to hear about it in the comments. Also I will like to hear about any other sites, which should offer API and does not, whether it is Czech or not.

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