Can anyone give a synopsis on why CL hasn't shut them down like they traditionally do with every site that repackages their data? I must be missing a nuance.
My theory (I wrote PadMapper) is that as long as it's light on their servers, helpful to their users, doesn't bombard them with ads, and sends users back to them, they're fine with it. PadMapper's just a search engine for part of their stuff.
Maybe. There are some features missing in the new API that PadMapper uses (tabbed info windows, for example), the benefit isn't completely clear, and it's likely to be a pretty large amount of work, so it's not a very high priority. Any reason you'd want it to be converted?
It is not my experience that craigslist shuts down those who use its data. I am torn over this. I'd like to rid my days of some of them, but I make great use of the RSS feeds myself.
(and yes, agreed, it's a very useful site)