Following the example of internet titans Google and Amazon, the BBC has released a range of software tools which allow programmers to borrow and "remix" its web content for free. Tools have been made available through a project called BBC Backstage, which was launched at Open Tech 2005, a technology conference held in London, UK, on Saturday 23 July. BBC Backstage provides a way for programmers to integrate BBC content into their web applications - the only caveat being that it must not be used commercially. Information is made available through "application programming interfaces" (API) – software-based rules which allow a programmer to harness the BBC’s content – and include connections to news feeds, television and radio listings, travel information and weather data. [New Scientist]