Agile Ajax

JSTM for GWT: An Interesting Solution for Object Replication and Synchronization

Didier Girard, the peripatetic publisher of onGWT, read my post yesterday and pointed me toward XSTM, the open source OO distributed object cache. It has Java, .NET and GWT implementations that can interoperate.

 

Getting semantic and DRY with microformats and Radiant CMS

I can now cross Microformats off my list of "technologies whose value I recognize even though I've never had the chance to use them in real life." Last week I created three hcards for the new Pathfinder website, one each for our Chicago headquarters, our New York office, and our head of sales. Now, if you've got a browser plug-in that can parse microformats, you can import our contact information directly into Outlook, Apple's Address Book or your PIM of choice.

A little background

Microformats, for those who don't immerse themselves in grassroots front-end technologies, are at the core of what's become known as the "semantic web." The basic idea is that by adopting a set of standardized markup patterns, we can create websites that are more easily parsable by both humans and machines. More from the "About microformats" page:

Designed for humans first and machines second, microformats are a set of simple, open data formats built upon existing and widely adopted standards. Instead of throwing away what works today, microformats intend to solve simpler problems first by adapting to current behaviors and usage patterns (e.g. XHTML, blogging).

The most popular and best-known microformat is the hcard, an HTML implementation of the standard vCard format used to store and exchange address and personal information in a wide variety of software applications. If vCards are basically electronic business cards that can be imported to or exported from your contacts manager, then hcards provide the same functionality in the browser.

Microsoft Eats Its Young: AjaxPro is no more

Back when .NET didn't have an Ajax pot to piss in, I voraciously read Michael Schwarz's blog and followed his Ajax.NET framework. He eventually released a companion "Pro" version. Now, several Microsoft MVP awards later, he is packing it in. I, for one, will miss the competition in the .NET world. That leaves two major alternatives that I'm aware of:

1. Anthem.NET
2. Gaia Ajax Widgets

Since the concepts around how Ajax apps should be built are still in flux, it would be nice to have a few alternatives in the .NET world (especially ones that don't produce the XHR salad that ASP.NET Ajax does).

Technorati Tags: ajax, .net, ajaxpro.net, gaia widgets, anthem.net