AJAX and the Copernican Revolution

David Temkin, Founder of Lazlo Systems

• Ptolemy view
• Server side has retained the big money while the client is given peanuts.
• At the top is the server architect
  • Architecture-heavy, user interface light
  • Far from the user, close to the IT decision-maker
  • Lots of talk about scalability, “business logic”, and other enterprise keywords
  • Computer science degree
  • Architecture astronauts are rewarded
• At the bottom is the web front-end developer and designer
  • Low pay
  • Far from control
• Client centric software is user-centered software
  • Rich clients are programmers running in the browser
  • Programs are written by developers, not page designers
  • These programs are UI-focused, but also make extensive use of back end services.
• AJAX Spectrum
  • HTML Page-Based Apps
  • DHTML Enhancements
  • Simple AJAX Apps
  • Advanced AJAX apps
  • Rich Clients
• Contention - in order to create more user-centric apps, it is necessary to move away from the page paradigm.
• Contention - client-side applications end up becoming the holder of the session state, which significantly change the server architecture as wel.
• Back-to-Front Development
  • Start with abstract domain knowledge, objects
  • Create services that encapsulate functionaity
  • Tell the page designers to make it pretty
  • Mature frameworks, tooks, and processes are in place to support it
  • Start with the user experience (the design)
  • The functionality is largely client based
• The Business is on the Glass
  • The glass is where the user meets applications
  • This is the critical interaction; leaving the UI to last reduces chances of business success
  • Uptime, scalability, and availability are important, but so is usability
  • The industry needs developers and IT managers who are oriented toward the client and the user experience
  • It is these technologists who will drive the next wave of software
  • The real winners in the Web 2.0 movement are those who are able to handle the clients
• Perspective is worth 80 IQ points - rich clients providde an opportunity to rethink our perspective and rebalance how we design and develop applications.

Comments: Almost didn’t go to this one, but am glad I did. David is an engaging speaker, has obviously been through the trenches on this. I find I agree with him just about on everything — we are seeing the rise of client-centric programming and it will change the world!