Ajax, for Asynchronous JavaScript and XML, is a collection of web development tools used to create Rich Internet Applications (RIA). Ajax allows web browsers to interact with web servers via small requests and update the loaded web page without actually reloading the entire page after each request. This gives the site an immediate increase in its appearance of interactivity, a significant speed boost, as the web server only has to process much smaller transactions, and a usability edge over repeatedly reloaded static pages.

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Tags: web development tools, Rich Internet Applications, Ajax, usability

The topic du jour in web development and web software, AJAX, is getting more and more press. CNN has an interesting article on AJAX and the potential threat it may pose to desktop software and the Microsoft monopoly. AJAX is the group of technologies behind such projects as Google Maps, Google GMail and the new beta of Yahoo Mail.

To see just how incredible this technology can be, check out Basecamp and Backpack from 37signals or the new Windows Live start page from Microsoft.

Also, check out our Ajax Introduction.

Tags: AJAX

Recently, the tech press has been all excited about The Gap Inc’s newest uber-ecommerce standards-compliant redesign of their various brand sites. Sadly, if you happen to visit one of these sites in say Apple’s very popular and standards-compliant browser, Safari, you end up in an endless loop of redirect after redirect.

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Tags: standards-compliant