[Tfug] Browser based UI's

[Joshua Zeidner]

  Although I think Flex will be around for years to come, I tend to
think that the future is highly optimized Javascript.  Google has
apparently made a big investment in this platform.

  -jmz

On Thu, Jul 16, 2009 at 5:48 PM, keith smith<klsmith2020 at yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
> I think there will always be a need for an app that runs off the local computer and might connect to a distant server or just stay local.
>
> The browser based idea is a good one in that there is no deployment.  You just point your browser toward whatever you want to run.
>
> The downside is it is difficult to create browser based application... at least that is my opinion.
>
> I do not have much experience with flash and John says they "freeze up when loading on a moderately fast internet connection...".
>
> I like the concept of Flex.  I have not built anything using Flex so I have no first hand experience, however with a standardized plug in, your code runs in a "known" environment.  It is my understanding it is relatively secure and maintaining state is the same as a desktop app.  No cross browser compatibility ... AJAX... CSS... configurations issues as far as I know.
>
> I may try Flex it in the near future.
>
> ------------------------
> Keith Smith
>
>
> --- On Thu, 7/16/09, johngalt1 <johngalt1 at uswest.net> wrote:
>
>> From: johngalt1 <johngalt1 at uswest.net>
>> Subject: Re: [Tfug] Browser based UI's
>> To: "Tucson Free Unix Group" <tfug at tfug.org>
>> Date: Thursday, July 16, 2009, 5:19 PM
>> This was a stupid idea way back when
>> Microsoft tried to "integrate" the browser into their OSes.
>> They were in a painc after realizing they messed up by
>> discounting the Internet.
>>
>> During that time period, practically every other "industry
>> funded" BS white paper and study predicted a browser
>> takeover of the desktop OS.
>>
>> This was in the Microsoft 95/98 days..
>>
>> Well, we see how far that vision carried forth...
>>
>> Only now - ten years later, do we have sluggish Flash /
>> silverlite apps that freeze up when loading on a moderately
>> fast internet connection....
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bexley Hall" <bexley401 at yahoo.com>
>> To: <tfug at tfug.org>
>> Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2009 10:34 AM
>> Subject: [Tfug] Browser based UI's
>>
>>
>> >
>> > Hi,
>> >
>> > I've been trying to give browser based user
>> interfaces
>> > "the benefit of the doubt" as potential general
>> purpose
>> > user interfaces.  But, I think I have come to
>> the
>> > realization that they just don't (can't?) work for
>> > *all* types of applications.  I.e., Google's
>> idea
>> > that they can replace the desktop with web based
>> > applications is  just a wet dream, IMO.
>> >
>> > But, I have been unable to codify *why* these "just
>> don't
>> > work" -- whether it is the browser's "fault" (i.e.,
>> capabilties
>> > that are missing in that type of interface) *or* that
>> of
>> > the applications, themselves (i.e., could these work
>> if the
>> > model adopted by the application were different than
>> it
>> > *has* been?)
>> >
>> > Of course, the responsiveness of the network plays a
>> role.
>> > But, pretend you were connecting to "localhost" for
>> all of
>> > your "web based services"... so transport delays,
>> dropped
>> > packets, etc. were not an issue.  I'm sure you
>> could still
>> > see how many "applications" just *suck* using this
>> form of
>> > interface.
>> >
>> > [i.e., imagine rewriting KDE so you opened a giant
>> browser
>> > window in your startup script that was pointed at http://localhost/kde
>> > to provide that "environment".  Some of it would
>> work "OK".
>> > Some parts would be "passable, but not ideal".
>> And other
>> > things would just suck horribly!]
>> >
>> > Any thoughts as to what aspects of the
>> applications/browser
>> > make for *good* interfaces vs. bad?  I.e.,
>> obviously a 100%
>> > static application can be handled reasonably well in a
>> browser...
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
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