eBay has launched an open source developer website to
encourage the creation of new applications for its auction site and
PayPal online payment service.The eBay Community
Codebase site gives developers the source code for existing eBay
applications and tools and allows them to collaborate on projects
with others.
eBay’s Codebase is
being hosted by CollabNet, which enables developers across
different regions and time zones to work together on projects.
PayPal is expected
to come under increasing pressure as a payment solution once search
company Google launches its expected alternative online payment
solution later this year.
PayPal currently
generates around a quarter of eBay’s sales and is touted as a
payment solution for other websites, but Google wants a slice of
this market.
Opening up PayPal
to outside developers could help give PayPal a boost and keep it
generating sales for eBay.