Share functionality based on existing export

[holzenburg]

In a recent email conversation with Julien, we discussed possibilities to implement a share functionality. Background: I launched the feedshare.net service some days ago. Julien contacted me and I implemented the SubToMe button. The next idea that came up was to have a direct import flow on feedshare.net – or even an „Share with ...“ function on SubToMe.

There is the export via http://subtome.com/#/export. The subscription data is stored in localStorage, but only accessible by subtome.com.

To summarize Juliens attempt:

• Create another page like /#/export, maybe /#/share
• Other application (like feedshare.net) calls that with a callback url.
• User gets redirected back with the subscription data as a JSON list.

In general, I think that's a great way to do it. I would add something, though:

• That share-page should return to the callback via POST to avoid URL length issues.
• It could/should accept a parameter to specify the return method (JSON or OPML)

[julien51]

I'm not sure we could redirect via POST since this is done from the browser as SubToMe is a browser only app and does not have a server. However, another solution would be to create a JSONP url accessible via a secret token with a short term expiration.

I'll try to think of other ways but that may be a bit tricky! I'll also start implementing when I get a minute! (this weekend hopefuly!)

[holzenburg]

Shouldn't it all be possible with pure Javascript?

1. Create a form element, injecting it into the HTML (or use a prepared one)
2. Inject a hidden textarea with the localStorage contents (maybe base64-encoded)
3. Set target-attribute of the form based on callback parameter
4. Let the user click a submit button

Or am I missing some impossibilities here?

[holzenburg]

One other possibility that just came to my mind would be to run the complete SubToMe application (a duplicate) on the feedshare.net server. But really, I don't like that idea very much ...

[julien51]

Of course that would run, but that means that every other reader would have
to register with feedshare.com on top of subtome.com.
Now, I've been trying to think about a syncing mechanism accross different
subtome apps running on different domains for months. It's really tricky
and I think it would eventually rely on /#/share anyway...

[holzenburg]

Yeah, as I wrote, I do not like the idea ;)
But what's with the Javascript technique I outlined above?

[julien51]

Ha! Missed it and only saw the last one... the technique should work, indeed. I'll try that too!

[julien51]

Hey! I finally started working on it. I have a prototype now and it works both ways, but I use the url only.
Even the "create" form technique should work, it can only send data to a server and I'd feel much better if the whole process can work only on client side. (Ideally /#/share should work both ways!).

It looks the allowed size of the query string is much larger than what I initially thought.

[julien51]

Ok, the code is live now. You should be able to go to https://subtome.com/#/share?url=<url> where you replace <url> with the handler on your end. You need to include {subscription} somewhere in that handler to get the OPML list passed as an base64 encoded string.

For example, something like:
https://www.subtome.com/#/share?url=http:%2F%2Fsubtome.com%2F%23%2Fimport%3Fopml%3D{subscriptions} should work :)

[holzenburg]

Awesome! I will try that soon. Not today though :(

I’ll keep you udpated.

Am 23.01.2014 um 11:23 schrieb Julien Genestoux [email protected]:

Ok, the code is live now. You should be able to go to https://subtome.com/#/share?url= where you replace with the handler on your end. You need to include {subscription} somewhere in that handler to get the OPML list passed as an base64 encoded string.

For example, something like:
https://www.subtome.com/#/share?url=http:%2F%2Fsubtome.com%2F%23%2Fimport%3Fopml%3D{subscriptions} should work :)

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[julien51]

Any news on this?

[holzenburg]

Unfortunately not. We are busy renovating our house and earning money. I hope to find time for this in a few weeks.

Am 05.08.2014 um 12:19 schrieb Julien Genestoux [email protected]:

Any news on this?

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[julien51]

These are good excuses :D