Second Life Forums Archive - New Ajax project in the works.

Frans Charming

You only need one Frans

Join date: 28 Jan 2005

Posts: 1,847

11-12-2005 22:27

Pretty cool Lawrence, can't wait to see more improvement to the website.

_____________________

Serendipity Poppy

Registered User

Join date: 12 Nov 2005

Posts: 19

11-12-2005 22:29

One thing I like about the map is how dynamic it is. It moves, it breathes, it is alive: like Second Life!

More dynamic website enhancements would be kewl.

Icon Serpentine

punk in drublic

Join date: 13 Nov 2003

Posts: 858

11-13-2005 18:33

Merh.

This sudden "AJAX makes my application awesome" is pretty... useless. AJAX doesn't really do anything special on its own. And quite often it's so improperly used that I'm glad I don't need a screen-reader or any other assistive technology.

I can hear the wheels of the bandwagon turning...

_____________________

If you are awesome!

Cristiano Midnight

Evil Snapshot Baron

Join date: 17 May 2003

Posts: 8,616

11-13-2005 18:57

From: Icon Serpentine

Merh.

This sudden "AJAX makes my application awesome" is pretty... useless. AJAX doesn't really do anything special on its own. And quite often it's so improperly used that I'm glad I don't need a screen-reader or any other assistive technology.

I can hear the wheels of the bandwagon turning...

While it is true that like Flash and other technologies, it does pose usability challenges when dealing with things like screen readers/assistive technology. However, many of the simpler and more effective things it is used for can improve the experience of using a web page dramatically. AJAX isn't about flashy interactive maps - it's about being able to build interfaces that react instantly to the user, instead of having to wait for the endless roundtrip cycle of click--->request--->response--->refresh.

When used responsibly, and effectively, it does elevate web applications to a higher usability level than they had previously. Now that it has become popular, it will become more refined and easier to implement - however, that does not stop bad implementations - just as Flash is often misused. Still, it is nice to see improvements to web applications that have lingered for years in stagnation because of incompatible browser implementations, plugin hell, and security concerns. AJAX is not a silver bullet, but it is a simple, elegant way to make web based applications much more responsive and interactive.

_____________________

Cristiano

ANOmations - huge selection of high quality, low priced animations all $100L or less.

~SLUniverse.com~ SL's oldest and largest community site, featuring Snapzilla image sharing, forums, and much more.

Icon Serpentine

punk in drublic

Join date: 13 Nov 2003

Posts: 858

11-13-2005 20:44

From: Cristiano Midnight

While it is true that like Flash and other technologies, it does pose usability challenges when dealing with things like screen readers/assistive technology. However, many of the simpler and more effective things it is used for can improve the experience of using a web page dramatically. AJAX isn't about flashy interactive maps - it's about being able to build interfaces that react instantly to the user, instead of having to wait for the endless roundtrip cycle of click--->request--->response--->refresh.

When used responsibly, and effectively, it does elevate web applications to a higher usability level than they had previously. Now that it has become popular, it will become more refined and easier to implement - however, that does not stop bad implementations - just as Flash is often misused. Still, it is nice to see improvements to web applications that have lingered for years in stagnation because of incompatible browser implementations, plugin hell, and security concerns. AJAX is not a silver bullet, but it is a simple, elegant way to make web based applications much more responsive and interactive.

However, it does have major drawbacks and should be used sparingly -- my main concern when dealing with AJAX is the "asynchronous" portion of the acronym.

Case in point -- there are a few forums out there that are built using AJAX. The UI experience is frustrating to say the least because there is no indication of request-processing progress.

It also means that on really busy servers -- your request can take its sweet time coming back to the requesting browser without ever letting the browser know when it's ready until the request is completed.

AJAX does provide a neat layer for UI on web-pages. It can and has been used effectively. And I agree -- it is no silver bullet.

Like flash or gaudy javascript roll-over menus we have to be very careful not to get carried away with our use of it -- my greatest fear is that the bandwagon rush leaves AJAX like the aforementioned technologies -- as practically a gimmick.

_____________________

If you are awesome!

Martin Magpie

Catherine Cotton

Join date: 13 Nov 2004

Posts: 1,826

11-14-2005 07:21

Originally Posted by Lawrence Linden
Yeah, we have some nice AJAX based projects in the works that I think you'll like... stay tuned because we're currently on track to unveil one of the projects next week.
Also, we're definitely headed quickly in the web services direction. However, the currenncy exchange was not going to be the first place we deployed AJAX, but we're already considering how we can improve it with AJAX.

Cheers,
Lawrence

-------

Oh dear gawd AJAX bought an island

woo hoo free coupons for cleanser are coming my way LOL

_____________________

Cristiano Midnight

Evil Snapshot Baron

Join date: 17 May 2003

Posts: 8,616

11-14-2005 07:34

From: Martin Magpie

Oh dear gawd AJAX bought an island

woo hoo free coupons for cleanser are coming my way LOL

LOL ok I have to give you credit for that one

_____________________

Cristiano

ANOmations - huge selection of high quality, low priced animations all $100L or less.

~SLUniverse.com~ SL's oldest and largest community site, featuring Snapzilla image sharing, forums, and much more.

Zapoteth Zaius

Is back

Join date: 14 Feb 2004

Posts: 5,634

11-14-2005 07:37

?

_____________________

I have the right to remain silent. Anything I say will be misquoted and used against me.
---------------
Zapoteth Designs, Temotu (100,50)
---------------

AJ DaSilva

woz ere

Join date: 15 Jun 2005

Posts: 1,993

11-14-2005 10:30

Um, the new map on the front page is AJAX based isn't it?

http://www.secondlife.com/map/ if you wanna see it on it's own.

_____________________

New Ajax project in the works.
Frans Charming You only need one Frans Join date: 28 Jan 2005 Posts: 1,847	11-12-2005 22:27 Pretty cool Lawrence, can't wait to see more improvement to the website. _____________________
Serendipity Poppy Registered User Join date: 12 Nov 2005 Posts: 19	11-12-2005 22:29 One thing I like about the map is how dynamic it is. It moves, it breathes, it is alive: like Second Life! More dynamic website enhancements would be kewl.
Icon Serpentine punk in drublic Join date: 13 Nov 2003 Posts: 858	11-13-2005 18:33 Merh. This sudden "AJAX makes my application awesome" is pretty... useless. AJAX doesn't really do anything special on its own. And quite often it's so improperly used that I'm glad I don't need a screen-reader or any other assistive technology. I can hear the wheels of the bandwagon turning... _____________________ If you are awesome!
Cristiano Midnight Evil Snapshot Baron Join date: 17 May 2003 Posts: 8,616	11-13-2005 18:57 From: Icon Serpentine Merh. This sudden "AJAX makes my application awesome" is pretty... useless. AJAX doesn't really do anything special on its own. And quite often it's so improperly used that I'm glad I don't need a screen-reader or any other assistive technology. I can hear the wheels of the bandwagon turning... While it is true that like Flash and other technologies, it does pose usability challenges when dealing with things like screen readers/assistive technology. However, many of the simpler and more effective things it is used for can improve the experience of using a web page dramatically. AJAX isn't about flashy interactive maps - it's about being able to build interfaces that react instantly to the user, instead of having to wait for the endless roundtrip cycle of click--->request--->response--->refresh. When used responsibly, and effectively, it does elevate web applications to a higher usability level than they had previously. Now that it has become popular, it will become more refined and easier to implement - however, that does not stop bad implementations - just as Flash is often misused. Still, it is nice to see improvements to web applications that have lingered for years in stagnation because of incompatible browser implementations, plugin hell, and security concerns. AJAX is not a silver bullet, but it is a simple, elegant way to make web based applications much more responsive and interactive. _____________________ Cristiano ANOmations - huge selection of high quality, low priced animations all $100L or less. ~SLUniverse.com~ SL's oldest and largest community site, featuring Snapzilla image sharing, forums, and much more.
Icon Serpentine punk in drublic Join date: 13 Nov 2003 Posts: 858	11-13-2005 20:44 From: Cristiano Midnight While it is true that like Flash and other technologies, it does pose usability challenges when dealing with things like screen readers/assistive technology. However, many of the simpler and more effective things it is used for can improve the experience of using a web page dramatically. AJAX isn't about flashy interactive maps - it's about being able to build interfaces that react instantly to the user, instead of having to wait for the endless roundtrip cycle of click--->request--->response--->refresh. When used responsibly, and effectively, it does elevate web applications to a higher usability level than they had previously. Now that it has become popular, it will become more refined and easier to implement - however, that does not stop bad implementations - just as Flash is often misused. Still, it is nice to see improvements to web applications that have lingered for years in stagnation because of incompatible browser implementations, plugin hell, and security concerns. AJAX is not a silver bullet, but it is a simple, elegant way to make web based applications much more responsive and interactive. However, it does have major drawbacks and should be used sparingly -- my main concern when dealing with AJAX is the "asynchronous" portion of the acronym. Case in point -- there are a few forums out there that are built using AJAX. The UI experience is frustrating to say the least because there is no indication of request-processing progress. It also means that on really busy servers -- your request can take its sweet time coming back to the requesting browser without ever letting the browser know when it's ready until the request is completed. AJAX does provide a neat layer for UI on web-pages. It can and has been used effectively. And I agree -- it is no silver bullet. Like flash or gaudy javascript roll-over menus we have to be very careful not to get carried away with our use of it -- my greatest fear is that the bandwagon rush leaves AJAX like the aforementioned technologies -- as practically a gimmick. _____________________ If you are awesome!
Martin Magpie Catherine Cotton Join date: 13 Nov 2004 Posts: 1,826	11-14-2005 07:21 Originally Posted by Lawrence Linden Yeah, we have some nice AJAX based projects in the works that I think you'll like... stay tuned because we're currently on track to unveil one of the projects next week. Also, we're definitely headed quickly in the web services direction. However, the currenncy exchange was not going to be the first place we deployed AJAX, but we're already considering how we can improve it with AJAX. Cheers, Lawrence ------- Oh dear gawd AJAX bought an island woo hoo free coupons for cleanser are coming my way LOL _____________________
Cristiano Midnight Evil Snapshot Baron Join date: 17 May 2003 Posts: 8,616	11-14-2005 07:34 From: Martin Magpie Oh dear gawd AJAX bought an island woo hoo free coupons for cleanser are coming my way LOL LOL ok I have to give you credit for that one _____________________ Cristiano ANOmations - huge selection of high quality, low priced animations all $100L or less. ~SLUniverse.com~ SL's oldest and largest community site, featuring Snapzilla image sharing, forums, and much more.
Zapoteth Zaius Is back Join date: 14 Feb 2004 Posts: 5,634	11-14-2005 07:37 ? _____________________ I have the right to remain silent. Anything I say will be misquoted and used against me. --------------- Zapoteth Designs, Temotu (100,50) ---------------
AJ DaSilva woz ere Join date: 15 Jun 2005 Posts: 1,993	11-14-2005 10:30 Um, the new map on the front page is AJAX based isn't it? http://www.secondlife.com/map/ if you wanna see it on it's own. _____________________

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New Ajax project in the works.