Technology and its related jargon confuses many. Here is an attempt to simplify an understanding of what are Frameworks, Plugins and APIs and what makes them different.

1. KEY DIFFERENCES
And then some

2. Does this
really have to
be so
complicated?
All the technical
jargon has me
tongue tied in client
meetings!
Just hang in
there…
I bet there’s an
easier way to
do this

3. A framework, a
plugin and an API
walk into a bar…
How are they different and what makes them that way?

4. A FRAMEWORK
Think of a framework like a house.
As a concept it is complete but still needs furniture and
other components inside to suit your individual needs.
You can go ahead and live in it but it will still need some
stuff that makes it yours.

5. EXAMPLES OF FRAMEWORKS
 Content Amplifiers
 Member Get Member
 Events

6. A PLUGIN
Is a piece of furniture that is required to make
the house meaningful and functional based
on your needs and requirements.
You bring them in only when you need them
and if there is a purpose to it.
But, can you use this chair to cook a meal?
In a similar manner, plugins are hard-coded
to do just one task and be great at it.

7. EXAMPLES OF PLUGINS
 Share Plugin
 Follow
 Comment (Module) - External
 Invite (Module) - External

8. AN API
Is like a switch. Imagine you enter your home
and need the lights switched on. What do
you do? Turn on the switch.
APIs control what flows, comes on and goes
off in an environment. They define how these
items work.
Without a light to turn on, the API would be
pointless. You can’t turn on the TV with a
light switch. You need the TV remote. The TV
remote is the TV’s API.

9. EXAMPLES OF APIs
 Post to Network API
 InMail API
 Profile API
 Connections API

10. All 3 components are essential
pieces of a solution and the trick
is knowing when and how to use
them effectively!

11. A FRAMEWORK
Think of a framework like a house.
As a concept it is complete but
still needs furniture and other
components inside to suit your
individual needs. You can go
ahead and live in it but it will still
need some stuff that makes it
yours.
A PLUGIN
Is a piece of furniture that is
required to make the house
meaningful and functional based
on your needs and requirements.
You bring them in only when you
need them and if there is a
purpose to it.
AN API
Is like a switch. Imagine you enter
your home and need the lights
switched on. What do you do?
Turn on the switch.
APIs control what flows, comes on
and goes off in an environment.
They define how these items
work.

12. A FRAMEWORK A PLUGIN AN API

13. MEMBERS FIRST
WHAT IS POSTED TO THEIR FEED
WHAT DATA IS BEING CAPTURED
WHAT IS SHARED WITH THEIR CONNECTIONS

14. WHAT IS POSTED TO THEIR FEED
Ability to edit the image, title and body copy of the post
WHAT DATA IS BEING CAPTURED
Explicit permission to capture data points from the profile
WHAT IS SHARED WITH THEIR CONNECTIONS
Ability to edit the message title and contents

15. The more solutions we
work on, the better we’re
going to get.
Until then, feel free to send
across any questions you
may have.

16. THANK YOU