Rich Internet Application or Ajax ?
adaptive path » ajax: a new approach to web applications
New techniques emerge these days in the realms of web UI.
Have you ever heard of Rich Internet Application? No? well take a look at Backbase which actually I would classify as an AJAX type (see primary link of this entry).
You also have the Flash base type with Macromedia product Flex and its opensource counter part Lazlo
Now these are just 2 different philosophy/approach to solve the same issues and produce feature rich, interactive web interface.
Take a look at the beta version of Google Suggest and Google Maps , both AJAX based applications.
Smooth, fast, fascinating experience don't you think? Well think about your website, the magic could apply there as well. Using a mix of standard technologies:
* standards-based presentation using XHTML and CSS;
* dynamic display and interaction using the Document Object Model;
* data interchange and manipulation using XML and XSLT;
* asynchronous data retrieval using XMLHttpRequest;
* and JavaScript binding everything together.