New wave of Web apps offer fresh ideas
Pat Xin
Issue date: 6/30/06 Section: Sci-Tech
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In the coming months we will see a new wave of RIAs that will blend the Web application and the desktop application in exciting new ways. There are two technologies on the horizon that will change the way people use the web: Microsoft's WinFX (formerly "Avalon") and Macromedia's Flex 2.
WinFX
WinFX, formerly code-named "Avalon," is Microsoft's answer to the Rich Internet Application space, and it's interesting because in many ways it's a giant among RIAs. It uses the .NET platform and via an XML markup language, called XAML, it offers developers a simple, straight-forward way to build powerful user interfaces for both web- and desktop-based applications.
Naturally, it will be limited to Windows machines. Fortunately, this opens up the Direct3D platform to developers, which is going to make for some amazing user interfaces.
With a large community backing .NET, and WinFX as the backbone of Windows Vista, it will be an easy way to develop and distribute applications for a brand new operating system.
Flex
Macromedia's Flex 2 is something to be excited about. Like WinFX, it uses a an XML-based language, this one called MXML. Macromedia's first foray with Flex required a very expensive server and had limited adoption. This time, Macromedia has opened its doors and made the Flex 2 framework totally free. The new version of Flex requires a new Flash Player, and Macromedia made modifications to the Flash virtual machine to focus on speed and dependability. To target a broader audience, Macromedia has made its new player available for Linux and Mac in addition to the normal Windows version.
Macromedia has essentially built a Flash-AJAX bridge with Flex, bringing the best bits of AJAX and the best bits of Flash together to create great potential. Macromedia also has "Apollo" in the works, which will allow developers to access desktop APIs using Flex or JavaScript to deploy desktop-Web hybrid applications when data needs to be stored offline.
All of these applications are taking the goals of Web 2.0 - the collaborative spirit, the user generated content - and combining them with a focus on the user experience, which is so important to the desktop. AJAX has performed an excellent job of making people think outside the box about the Web. These technologies are taking application building to the next level by providing a desktop-like interface to Web users.
RIAs allow sophisticated effects and transitions that are important in keeping the user engaged. This means developers will be able to focus on a flawless experience for the users.
It is going to be an exciting time for anyone involved in building the new Web, because the interfaces are finally catching up with the content.
Pat Xin is a junior majoring in digital media and is the sci-tech editor. He can be reached through sci-tech@thetriangle.org.
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