Content from Pearson's Visual QuickStart guides released as APIs for the developer community
From today, content from Pearson's Visual QuickStart Guides is available as an API on Pearson's Plug & Play platform. The content demonstrates how to use the most complex computers programmes, holding the reader's hand as they get to grips with a new piece of software.
Now developers can mash this useful material with other data sets, creating new ways for people to learn about popular software programmes, and Pearson has also announced that developers will retain the IP of everything they create using the newly released APIs.
Visual QuickStart Guides are an established and trusted resource for people looking to expand their creative computer skills; there are currently more than 12 million titles in print.
Diana Stepner, head of future technologies at Pearson, commented: 'This new API will allow some of the most digitally savvy people – developers – to create new and imaginative ways for people of all ages and backgrounds to improve their technical skills. The Visual QuickStart Guides can help with a range of activities, whether you're looking to use photo editing software in more sophisticated ways, or just get the most out of your web browser. Computer skills are more important than ever and we look forward to seeing what is created using these tried and tested tutorials.'
Plug & Play was launched by Pearson in September 2011 with the aim of opening up Pearson's rich content to the developer community. This API is the latest data set to be released, which allows developers to mash up Pearson's world class content with other data to make new innovative applications. Pearson is the first publisher of its size and breadth to invest in open data in this way.
