> But I'm still not sure of the size of the AJAX community, and how
> large an audience we'd be talking for something like an AJAX book...
The AJAX community is growing daily, although I feel that term is rather
a misnomer. Maybe something like "AJAX factions within the CF
community" would be more appropriate? Anyway...
As for books: there is already at least one book [1] available, two more
[2][3] on pre-order, plus another [4] available as a beta download.
There's also some heavy coverage of AJAX in DHTML Utopia [5].
With sites like Gmail, Google Maps and Flickr giving the user a clean,
simple interface through the use of AJAX and Web2.0 technology, it's
also pushing development of smaller projects. Although I've been using
similar methods for a couple of years now, we've just finished deployed
the initial version of a JavaScript/ColdFusion combination instant
messaging application for a client, which relies heavily on its AJAX
implementation.
Why go for the AJAX solution? Well, in the past we've usually gone for
Flash/FlashCom based IM clients, but as a developer I'd much rather have
the whole codebase under my control rather than spreading everything
between CF, Flash and ActionScript developers. Sure, I had to bump up
my JavaScript a bit, but for anyone with a basic handle of scripting
languages it's not *that* challenging. Additionally, we now no longer
need a separate FlashCom server and the user doesn't require the Flash
plugin. They get a clean, simple interface to use and we get everything
nicely in source control :)
Until recently, the design and usability of some web-based systems has
taken a back seat to the amount of functionality that the developer can
pack in. That focus is now swinging, thanks to the Web2.0 movement and
companies like 37signals (who developed the increasingly popular Ruby on
Rails framework) who have changed this direction and instead give the
user the minimum of options, but the ability to perform those actions
simply and quickly. You may as well spend time making a regularly used
function perfect, instead of concentrating on one function which is
"really really important" but in the end never gets used.
Anyway, I've realised I'm waffling randomly now, so I'll move on...
Tim.
[1] "Foundations of AJAX" by Ryan Asleson and Nate T. Schutta:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1590595823
[2] "AJAX in Action" by David Crane:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1932394613
[3] "Professional AJAX" by Nicholas C. Zakas, Jeremy PcPeak and Joe
Fawcett:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0471777781
[4] "Pragmatic AJAX" by Justin Gehtland, Ben Galbraith and Dian Almaer:
http://www.pragmaticprogrammer.com/titles/ajax/
[5] "DHTML Utopia: Modern Web Design Using javaScript" by Stuart
Langridge:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0471777781
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