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General Discussion

Nick Pettit
STAFF
Nick Pettit
Treehouse Teacher
Posted by Nick Pettit
Nick Pettit
Treehouse Teacher

Forum Contest: Create a Twitter Widget

Hi everybody,

It's time for a new Treehouse Forum contest! First, watch this video to learn more:

After you've watched the video, please read the details below carefully. I'm looking forward to your entries!

How to Enter:

Post a link to your project as an answer to this forum post. You can host your project anywhere you'd like.

Due Date: All entries must be submitted by Sunday, October 5th at 11:45pm ET. Here's a timezone chart so you can see what time that is for your locale.

Prize: The entries will be judged by Treehouse teachers based on both design, code, and originality. One winner will receive a free month of Treehouse on us! :) We'll announce the winner on Monday, October 6th and reveal the next contest.

Unsubscribed User
Unsubscribed User
8,838 Points

Hi Nick,

I was wondering, how do you intergrate the twitter API?

Thanks, Max

toddschneider
toddschneider
4,795 Points

Awesome so excited for this contest! Is there a specific programming language or format that is customary in which twitter widgets are created?

Walter Cordero
Walter Cordero
10,850 Points

What programming language can be used for this widget ?, not know if there are any restrictions for it, and should it be fully functional widget for application to real websites?

Nick Pettit
Nick Pettit
Treehouse Teacher
Nick Pettit
Nick Pettit
Treehouse Teacher

Hi everyone,

The widget should be viewable on a webpage, so most likely, you'll need to use JavaScript.

Unsubscribed User
Unsubscribed User
8,838 Points

Hi, I understand that Nick, but I am not experienced with the Twitter API, is there a way to connect to it?

toddschneider
toddschneider
4,795 Points

Twitter Libraries

Walter Cordero
Walter Cordero
10,850 Points

Nick Pettit Ok I know that we use JavaScript to make the Widget, but Twitter Api 1.1 doesn't allow use oAuth with JavaScript, these tokens always be sent from the server, so, that means we need use a programming language to make this request to Twitter Api. Please let me know if I wrong. Thanks

Brandon Jepson
Brandon Jepson
7,018 Points

Since the Twitter Api requires a key and token, we're going to need to use some backend language along with the javascript. correct?

toddschneider
toddschneider
4,795 Points

I believe that is correct Brandon! I think you will be able to find some more info on this subject in the ajax course that was given link here. hope this helps!

11 Answers

John MacDonald
John MacDonald
8,593 Points
John MacDonald
John MacDonald
8,593 Points

The OAuth Testing seems to be down?

Chris Shaw
Chris Shaw
26,676 Points
Chris Shaw
Chris Shaw
26,676 Points

One thing I think that should be noted is Twitter have a specific set of guidelines they expect designers to use, because this is simply a contest I don't think it matters too much but it's something to keep in mind if you're going to release the widget to the world.

https://about.twitter.com/press/brand-assets

toddschneider
toddschneider
4,795 Points

Thanks for this Chris!

Michael Choi
Michael Choi
6,332 Points
Michael Choi
Michael Choi
6,332 Points

Code Academy has a tutorial on Twitter API http://www.codecademy.com/en/tracks/twitter

benjamin goodday
PLUS
benjamin goodday
Courses Plus Student 306 Points
benjamin goodday
benjamin goodday
Courses Plus Student 306 Points

what language should i use for this contest?

Juan Ribera
Juan Ribera
3,782 Points
Juan Ribera
Juan Ribera
3,782 Points

I recommend using TimeAndDate instead of EveryTimeZone. It's a bit easier to understand than the one you guys are using (my opinion). Edit: Why? Not everyone around the world knows about UTC, EST / ET, GMT,... || I can't easily difference between both of those lines on EveryTimeZone. || Simply, TimeAndDate adjusts to anybody showing what they need to know.

Walter Cordero
Walter Cordero
10,850 Points
Walter Cordero
Walter Cordero
10,850 Points

Hi everyone, I really loved this challenge, this is my Twitter Widget. This is an example to this twitter widget Twitter Example

greetings.

James Magnavacca
James Magnavacca
20,170 Points
James Magnavacca
James Magnavacca
20,170 Points

Hi, this is my entry. I have done three different Twitter widgets:

  1. The first one shows Tweets in a scrolling-down list

  2. The second one shows Tweets one at a time and the user can slide down using the arrow-buttons.

  3. The third one shows the Tweet also on google maps ( when possible )

This is a live-link of the three widgets http://jamesmagnavacca.altervista.org/twitterwidget/index.html and here's the gitHub repository TwitterWidgets.

Patrick Bell
STAFF
Patrick Bell
Treehouse Teacher
Patrick Bell
Patrick Bell
Treehouse Teacher

Hello everyone,

Hope you all had an amazing week! We've just updated this post to reflect a new due date, as we've extended the contest for one more week. The new date date is Sunday, October 5th at 11:45pm ET, Nick looks forward to all of your submissions!

Juan Ribera
Juan Ribera
3,782 Points
Juan Ribera
Juan Ribera
3,782 Points

Here's my entry:

(I hope Kenneth Love gets to check this out!) I implemented 2/3rds of it on python!

My fav on Python 3

Github repo

Demo

First one I tried, on Python 2 because of old libraries out there (didn't apply any styling, compared to py3):

Github repo

Demo

Another one, on NodeJS, Jade: A map that loads markers based on twitters around the world (Some hashtags are tweeted faster, and the map floods with these).

Github repo

Demo

Again, I recommend using TimeAndDate to share deadlines across timezones. It's easier to understand than the one you guys are using.

toddschneider
toddschneider
4,795 Points

great job man I love how you imported python I was trying to do this but couldn't quite get my head around it!

Noel Tekiri
Noel Tekiri
1,009 Points
Noel Tekiri
Noel Tekiri
1,009 Points

Hello, this is my twitter widget.

I had initially posted my example before the cut-off time but had issues with the widget not displaying tweets. In the end I deleted and created a new app on Twitter and it works again.

I don't mind if I missed the deadline, this was a great challenge and I just want to show my results.

Nick Pettit
STAFF
Nick Pettit
Treehouse Teacher
Nick Pettit
Nick Pettit
Treehouse Teacher

Hi everyone,

Thanks for participating in this contest! This week's winner is James Magnavacca. Some of the entires were pretty similar this week, but we liked James' entry because overall it was the most complete in its presentation.

In the newest forum contest, you have to create a sticky header. Good luck!

Walter Cordero
Walter Cordero
10,850 Points

with all respect, this entry don't look like a widget, it's look like a single app, I think you must post what is your expect. Honestly that's not a widget, but you are the teachers.

James Magnavacca
James Magnavacca
20,170 Points

Thank you very much! I really enjoyed working on this project and it's good to know that my work has been appreciated.