RIAs to the Rescue: The Richness of Web 2.0

by John Tibbetts

In Part I (Vol. 10, No. 8) of this two-part Executive Update series on rich Internet applications (RIAs, pronounced ree-ahs), I lamented the way that the Web app tsunami set back user interface evolution by almost a decade, derailing architectural thinking and tossing us back to an essentially forms-based interface. But the situation is rapidly improving. The last few years have brought a constellation of dazzling changes to Web technology, collectively referred to as Web 2.0. It is hard to find a coherent definition -- Web 2.0 has evolved organically without the benefit of a central authority -- but everyone agrees that it involves: (1) experimentation with social networks; (2) cross-app integration that yields rich shared content; and (3) a rich, responsive user experience.

Password Protected Cutter Consortium clients, please log in:


This document is available to Cutter Consortium Resource Center clients only. Retrieve password.
If you would like further information about how to become a client, please contact us at +1 781 648 8700 or sales@cutter.com.
RIAs to the Rescue: The Richness of Web 2.01 May 2007