James on Software - Latest Comments in API: An EPIC FAIL Story

Re: API: An EPIC FAIL Story

Bosko — Fri, 30 May 2008 10:30:00 -0000

btw, I tried to write a ruby lib to wrap the particular API you're talking about (if it's the same one I'm thinking) some time ago - I started it and gave up after a while (perhaps that's what you're looking at?) Back then there was a single encryption scheme, blowfish with ECB block cipher (and a non-obvious padding scheme - nul bytes :-( - non-obvious because one wouldn't think a nul-byte scheme would be used since it only works for non-binary data). ECB sucks. I was told that https was "too slow".

I spent some time in person speaking to the developer there, nice guy and all, but I walked away from that admittedly pretty spirit deprived.

Coincidentally we're trying to revive the lib here now, but are hitting problems with the crypto bits again -- I think something was inadvertently tweaked again on their end.

Anyway, if we're talking about the same lib, I believe they've got a way to enable "https mode" so that you can avoid the whole blowfish + ECB/CBC/whatever symmetric mess.

Re: API: An EPIC FAIL Story

Bosko — Fri, 30 May 2008 10:20:00 -0000

I think I know which API you're talking about. :-)

Re: API: An EPIC FAIL Story

macournoyer — Tue, 27 May 2008 09:30:00 -0000

*hugs john*

it's gonna be ok john, we love you

Re: API: An EPIC FAIL Story

Michael Campbell — Tue, 27 May 2008 09:06:00 -0000

@John,

wow, someone needs a hug.

Re: API: An EPIC FAIL Story

John Lollen — Tue, 27 May 2008 07:30:00 -0000

Don't even pretend you know how to code Ruby fan boy.

Really - stick with your Dreamweaver and your hopes you will pay off the debt from your Arts degree when your next "big break".

Re: API: An EPIC FAIL Story

Ryan — Mon, 26 May 2008 19:38:00 -0000

I am afraid this is where we have gotten ourselves. Software is so easy now that the 80%ers and mediocrity are ever present. I miss the days of custom software, it took longer, but stuff worked. I have to combine many open source 'frameworks' in my job these days and .... *shotgun blast*

Re: API: An EPIC FAIL Story

David Warde-Farley — Mon, 26 May 2008 18:15:00 -0000

Whaaaaaaaaat. You should seriously submit this to dailywtf.com. This has been around 10 more WTFs than I was planning on today. :)