WEB 2.0

WEB 2.0 is a relatively new buzz word. Here is how it's defined in wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_2.0

Web 2.0 refers to a perceived transition of the World Wide Web from a collection of websites to a full-fledged computing platform serving web applications to end users. The proponents of this thinking expect that ultimately Web 2.0 services will replace desktop computing applications for many purposes.

I guess I was working on WEB 2.0 without knowing it. WEB 2.0 is an AJAX enhanced, WebStart advanced, Flex/Lazlo/Flash spiced up, CSS/DHTML improved, RSS/ATOM/XUL-SHMUL optimized version of the Internet we all know very well.

At the core of transition are the technologies to allow building more interactive web based applications. The technology choices are:

AJAX: (JavaScript + DHTML + live connection back to the server + XML) pros: very light weight, no runtime to download; cons: limitations of DHTML & JavaScript, artful(painful) , probably high maintenance costs

Java WebStart: pros: Basically you can run your Java application from the web site! cons: need to download and install plug-in, application may also take time to load

Flex/Lazlo/Flash: pros: web designer friendly, Flash plug-in is commonly installed, light weight. Cons: it’s not really a full blown application language, also it was sad it comes very close

Java Web Start
http://java.sun.com/products/javawebstart/
http://java.sun.com/products/javawebstart/1.2/docs/developersguide.html
http://www.vamphq.com/jwslinks.html

Laszlo: AKA opensource Flash
http://www.openlaszlo.org/

Getting Across to Flash with Java
http://www.flashmagazine.com/1024.htm

Interesting links: AJAX links:
http://www.ajaxinfo.com/
http://www.morfik.com/
http://www.zimbra.com/

write in C# and generate Flash
http://www.globfx.com/products/neoswiff/
http://www.xamlon.com/