Hi Gary,
Yes, you do need Java applets if you want to have a dazzling user
interface.
So if extensive design's your main concern, you can't avoid client-side
Java.
But in your typical Internet scenario, that'll cost you. In bandwidth
limitations.
In Java version conflicts on a multitude of clients. Etc. etc. And you'll
be called
upon to fix it, as the responsible part for making the solution.
But I *am* trying to pressure the solutions to their extent, still only
using standard HTML,
plus a limited amount of JavaScript. Digitizing polygons is my next
project.
I've talked to Flavio at Tydac in Switzerland a bit, and their solution on
www.mapserver.ch
makes extensive use of JavaScript. I'll never venture that far myself, but
it is impressive
how far even standard JavaScript can take you. There's still hope for us
aesthetics :-)
I mentioned Intranet as an opposite to Internet in my previous mail.
In an Intranet scenario, the conditions are very much different. You
typically have:
- (almost) unlimited bandwidth
- single browser environment
- (hopefully) a uniform Java environment, although Microsoft / IE tries its
best to thwart that
I'll not hesitate an instant to recommend a Java applet based, vector
streaming, ultra interactive
web application for an Intranet. But definitely not for the Internet.
Regards
Lars Nielsen
**********************************************************
Lars Nielsen [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Development Manager, MapXtreme iGIS Specialist
Kampsax / MapInfo GIS, Odense http://www.mapinfo.dk
Authorized MapInfo Partner & Distributor in Denmark
Address: Rugaardsvej 55, DK-5000 Odense C
Telephone: +45 6313-5000 Facsimile +45 6313-5090
**********************************************************
Gary Schwartz <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> on 27-07-2000 15:03:22
To: Lars Nielsen/Kampsax External
cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: MI Mapxsite (& MapXtreme)
Note: Some recipients have been dropped due to syntax errors.
Please refer to the "$AdditionalHeaders" item for the complete headers.
This is turning into a great thread. I like what Lars suggest as his
personal
rules of thumb but I wonder how he supports any user interaction more
advanced
than simple point and click. Most of what we do requires some sort of
drawing
on the map image (at a minimum: marquee select, radius select, etc.,). I
know
you can do a simple rectangular marquee using JavaScript, but I don't think
it's possible to do anything more advanced such as circles or polygons. So
we
inevitably end up using a Java Applet to support this. All I can suggest
if
you go down this road is try to stick to the most widely supported version
of
Java (which I believe at this point is 1.1.6). I'd be interested if Lars
or
anyone else has any suggestions on how to do this kind of stuff without
Java.
Gary.
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> First a personal note : there are more than two browsers in the world !
> Programming for only IE and NS, and let the rest to rot, is almost as bad
> as programming for a single browser only.
>
> But I agree with Flavio, it's a pain that all the browsers are
incompatible
> at some level.
> And very hard to convince customers that not all browser details can be
> controlled in a server based solution like MapXtreme.
> But just thrashing users of old browser won't make you a popular man, or
> your service popular, so don't do that.
>
> My personal rules of thumb are :
> - no Java on the client unless it's absolutely neccessary (or be prepared
> to spend a lot of support time)
> - absolutely no ActiveX-plugins !
> - only standard HTML - as low version as possible (otherwise you
willingly
> invite incompatability problems)
> - JavaScript is ok, but don't base your entire functionality on it (be
> prepared for JavaScript-less browser hits)
>
> This way I hope to stear clear of most problems.
> It's always better to have a low-tech but working solution, instead of a
> high-tech non-working solution ;-)
>
> Nb! All my remarks apply to Internet solutions only. Intranet solutions
are
> a completely different ballgame.
>
> Regards
> Lars Nielsen
>
> **********************************************************
> Lars Nielsen [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Development Manager, MapXtreme iGIS Specialist
> Kampsax / MapInfo GIS, Odense http://www.mapinfo.dk
> Authorized MapInfo Partner & Distributor in Denmark
> Address: Rugaardsvej 55, DK-5000 Odense C
> Telephone: +45 6313-5000 Facsimile +45 6313-5090
> ----------------------------------------------------------
> GIS-hotel.dk http://www.gis-hotel.dk
> **********************************************************
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