Hello, I work at a commercial software company, and we are interested in integrating these excellent visualization tools into our product. However, to avoid a number of risks, we would like to host a copy of the API ourselves. Unfortunately, I cannot find a link to download the API, so it makes me question whether this is technically or legally possible.
From a technical standpoint, it seems like they are simply a series of static Javascript files (and maybe some images)... in theory, these should be able to be hosted anywhere. From a use standpoint, the <script> tag in our code would simply have to point to our own server as opposed to Google's. I reviewed the license, but it seemed a little vague in this area. The spirit of the license is that we can use the component set in any type of software, but we cannot modify, create derivative works, and/or resell it. We would fully comply with all of this... we just want the responsibility of hosting it ourselves for users of our products to eliminate some significant risks. What risks? For starters, Google may release a new version that introduces some new bugs or incompatibilities with our product. Like any other component set I've ever used, we would prefer to download a copy, integrate and deploy it, and when new versions are available, we have the option of using it or not, run regression tests prior to release, and do so on our own schedule. Also, it requires Google's servers to be available, which introduces another point of failure into our software. And, the terms of use state that Google can pull the plug on it any time they want -- this is not unprecedented: they recently ceased supporting an XML API to their search engine. Anyone that interfaced with it had to somehow find out about it, migrate their code to a completely different data format, and do so within Google's time frame. So, is the API available for download? If not, why not? Is it a technical and/or legal issue? The terms of use mention the possibility of a separate license from Google -- if hosting the API ourselves is not possible otherwise, what is the next step to obtaining a license? Thanks in advance. I seem to be the only one with these concerns, which I find hard to believe... doesn't anyone else feel the same way I do? Cheers, Christopher --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Google Visualization API" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/google-visualization-api?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
