API Webinar Series: APIs for Dummies—An Introduction to APIs

On–Demand Webinar

NOTE: Large files will take more time to download.

• Webinar recording: API Webinar Series: API for Dummies—An Introduction to APIs (WMV, 122 MB, 1 hour, 5 minutes, July 2012)
• Jim Wilson's presentation slides: API Webinar Series: API for Dummies—An Introduction to APIs (PDF, 1.4 MB, 7 pages, July 2012)
• Fred Smith's presentation slides: API Webinar Series: API for Dummies—An Introduction to APIs (PDF, 1.8 MB, 5 pages, July 2012)
• Transcript: API Webinar Series: for Dummies—An Introduction to APIs (PDF, 136 KB, 12 pages, July 2012)

Description

Application Programming Interfaces, or APIs, allow developers to get creative with an agency's data—from making content mobile ready to innovative mashups.

In this first installment of our API webinar series, experts from NASA and the CDC will explain what APIs are, why they are important, and how they are covered in the Digital Government Strategy. This webinar will be moderated by Gray Brooks, Senior API Strategist at GSA's Digital Services Innovation Center.

What You'll Learn

This webinar will teach you:

• What an API is
• API examples and practices from the private and public sectors
• What the Digital Government Strategy says about APIs
• How my agency can get started

About the Presenters

Jim Wilson is the Senior Producer for www.nasa.gov and recently served on a detail to GSA as a Project Manager for the .gov Reform Task Force, working with CIOs, web managers, and others across government to help develop the Digital Government Strategy. At NASA, Jim leads the content team on daily updates and mission coverage, and helps develop new features and functionality for the site based on use feedback.

Before joining the government, Jim worked for nine years at CNN in Atlanta, starting as a television writer and producer at Headline News, and eventually moving to CNN.com, where he became a Senior Editor.

Jim has a degree in telecommunications and film from the University of Alabama.

Fred Smith is the Team Lead for the Technology Team in the Division of News and Electronic Media for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta. 

Previously, Fred co–founded a small company specializing in database–driven dynamic Web applications, where he led development efforts in interactive websites, mobile applications, and database projects. In 2005 he began working at the CDC doing Web and application development, working with their new media efforts to find ways to effectively communicate health protection and promotion messages to the public through new channels, such as podcasts, eCards, widgets, and content syndication. 

Fred has a BA in Russian Language and Literature from the University of Kentucky and an MA in Russian Literature from the Ohio State University.

Content Lead: DigitalGov University Team
Page Reviewed/Updated: September 13, 2012