Accountability, APIs, and the United States of Surveillance
What does a license plate scan, a REST API, and a knock on someone’s door have in common? In Minneapolis, they’ve become one in the same. Net API Notes for 2026/02/03, Issue 257.
Topic
Newsletter
Lessons, Analysis, and Breaking API News
Getting the "Right" API Standards
API leaders will chase a "definitive" standards policy but software systems behave like coastlines: the closer you look, the more edges appear. This edition shows how "complete" standards backfire and why healthier practice starts by choosing a useful scale. Net API Notes for 2025/12/16, Issue 256
The API Program is a Club, Not a Catalog
Most API programs don’t fail for lack of standards; they fade from lack of belonging. In this edition, I explain why sustaining API community engagement takes more than process and policy. Turn a calendar invite into a calling.
Net API Notes for 2025/11/18, Issue 255
Standards Evangelization Isn't Optional
Writing the API standard is the easy part. Defending it when the first tough questions hit? That’s the real test.
This piece includes the story of a working group that stumbled when faced with legitimate pushback, and what they could have done instead.
Net API Notes for 2025/08/28, Issue 254
The Indie API Forecasting Your Future
Dark Sky is gone. NOAA continues to be cut. And yet, one guy rebuilt a weather API used by 40K+ devs & 80M+ requests/month *in his spare time*.
This is a story about resilience, infrastructure, and kindness as punk rock.
Net API Notes for 2025/07/15, Issue 253
APIs Aren't Pipes (and That's a Good Thing)
Net API Notes for 2025/06/18, Issue 252
Speedrun: API Governance - A TTRPG Thought Experiment
Net API Notes for 2025/05/13, Issue 251
On MCP and Knowing When to Care
Net API Notes for 2025-04-29, Issue 250
API Product Strategy: More Than Just a Feature Roadmap
Net API Notes for 2025/03/13, Issue 249
Trends Suggested by 2024 API Job Listings
Net API Notes for 2025/02/11, Issue 248