Re: Google modules integration

[Jambunathan K]

Lennart Borgman <address@hidden> writes:

> On Fri, Sep 10, 2010 at 12:25 AM, Stefan Monnier
> <address@hidden> wrote:
>>> But to do the things correctly, that would mean the merge of the
>>> `google-maps.el' and `google-weather.el' modules into Emacs core
>> [...]
>>> The question is, therefore, is there a chance that we could merge these
>>> two extension into Emacs?
>>
>> Without having thought much about it, my reaction is rather negative,
>> since we do not want to install packages dedicated to supporting
>> proprietary software.
>
> What about elpa? Could this perhaps be more relaxed regarding
> supporting proprietary software? Or should there be a special elpa
> repository for it? (Is that possible with the current elpa version?)

I think the crucial question would be what is the nature of the
underlying protocol that is used for retrieving the data.

It is easier to think in terms of below scenario:

For example, I can use gnus to post and retrieve my email through gmail
servers. This is perfectly ok because the underlying data access
protocol - IMAP/POP - is open. Since the underlying infrastructure is
open gnus need not treat gmail servers in a special way.

A quick look at google-weather.el suggests that it prepares a url and
does some xml parsing on the reply. Gnus also does something similar
stuff when I create an ephemeral group based on a web search (gmane or
google groups)

That said, I know nothing whatsoever about Google APIs or GoogleCL.

Jambunathan K.