The Return of Java for RIAs
Believe it or not, the title of this post, “The Return of Java for RIAs”, is becoming less bold a prediction as each day passes. This is a Good Thing.
Let me begin by explaining why the prediction was bold. My first exposure to Java was applets. The idea seemed brilliant to me at the time — a full powered rich application embedded in a web page (I don’t recall “rich” being a buzzword then). Surely this would revolutionize web-based applications.
[Fast forward a decade or so]
What the heck happened? What happened was, frankly, Java applets suck. I think there are two primary reasons for this:
- To this day, loading the JRE is too slow. This is not such a big problem for a large application. (Check out ThinkFree for a great example of the power of Java in the browser.) However, the web needs the ability to have small, nimble applets, and we’re just not there yet. Note that the JRE download size is NOT the issue.
- There were so many bad applets. By “bad” I mean ugly, misused, poor design, etc. Granted, you could say the same thing about the web in general. 90% of web sites are still bad to this day. However, nothing is worse than waiting in suspense (see #1) to be let down, or worse yet appalled.
Now I have to figure out how to convince you that Java applets are the wave of the RIA future. Oh my.
The idea of Java in the browser is still a good one. In fact, it’s downright seductive. We just need to work on some of the issues that have plagued applets.
Fortunately, there’s been more talk of Sun making some kind of browser edition of Java that will enable quick loading. This would be great. On a side note, I think it would also be nice if browsers would give users the option of automatically loading Java in the background once the browser is fully initialized.
Also, there seems to be a new wave of Java applets and desktop applications being born. It almost seems as if a second generation of Java developers has come of age and is intent on building better rich applications. This is really great because the technologies are improving, and we need to see good application design to put the technology to use in a good way.
Last but not least, Java is truly an open platform now. The Java language plus all the accompanying facilities are completely controlled by the Java Community Process. The only remaining issue was that Sun’s Java virtual machine implementations were closed source. As of a couple of months ago, this issue has been solved by the open sourcing of the VM’s by Sun and the GPL license Sun chose for Java. This is huge, and in my opinion, solidifies Java as an open standard, much like HTML and JavaScript (ECMAScript) are. The language is Free, the platform is Free, and many of the great tools are Free (as in beer and liberty).
Java may be poised to give Adobe’s Flash/Flex (closed, proprietary, non-Free) a run for its money.
October 2nd, 2007 at 5:10 pm
sound good, respect!
i like ur blog, write more..
November 12th, 2008 at 7:21 pm
3fawb5yt2kn21oac
January 17th, 2009 at 4:01 pm
Amoxicillin….
Amoxicillin. Amoxicillin no prescription….
September 9th, 2009 at 8:59 am
Hi from google Google-TCW
September 23rd, 2009 at 9:51 pm
Nice site!
October 24th, 2010 at 10:11 am
Canon 300d customer handbook. I just bought a used Canon 300D, as well as this didn’t avail by a manual. Is There anywhere I could could download this? Or perhaps are a web site by tips?
April 3rd, 2011 at 2:50 pm
Got a secret?
May 8th, 2011 at 5:54 pm
Thank you for sharing excellent informations. Your web-site is very cool. I’m impressed by the details that you’ve on this web site. It reveals how nicely you understand this subject. Bookmarked this website page, will come back for extra articles. You, my friend, ROCK! I found simply the info I already searched all over the place and just couldn’t come across. What a great web site.
June 19th, 2011 at 11:47 pm
hello…
Hello there thanks for the quality post! http://priscilla11.blog.bokee.net/ ,i had a good read.appreciate your article,My problem has been resolved….
July 17th, 2011 at 3:01 pm
Have you ever ever considered including extra movies to your weblog posts to keep the readers more entertained? I imply I simply learn through the complete article of yours and it was quite good but since I am extra of a visual learner,I discovered that to be more useful properly let me know how it turns out! I really like what you guys are always up too. Such intelligent work and reporting! Sustain the good works guys I’ve added you guys to my blogroll. This is a nice article thanks for sharing this informative information.. I’ll go to your blog commonly for some latest post. Anyway, in my language, there usually are not much good source like this.
July 17th, 2011 at 3:12 pm
Zune and iPod: Most people compare the Zune to the Touch, but after seeing how slim and surprisingly small and light it is, I consider it to be a rather unique hybrid that combines qualities of both the Touch and the Nano. It’s very colorful and lovely OLED screen is slightly smaller than the touch screen, but the player itself feels quite a bit smaller and lighter. It weighs about 2/3 as much, and is noticeably smaller in width and height, while being just a hair thicker.
August 9th, 2011 at 10:44 pm
A lot of of the things you say is astonishingly accurate and it makes me wonder the reason why I had not looked at this with this light before. Your piece really did turn the light on for me as far as this particular issue goes. But there is actually 1 point I am not really too comfortable with so while I make an effort to reconcile that with the core theme of your issue, allow me observe exactly what all the rest of your subscribers have to point out.Nicely done.
September 10th, 2011 at 1:11 pm
Discovered you blog site through bing I must say I m astounded with all your content!
September 22nd, 2011 at 9:08 pm
wunderbare plagezu mit debro und janget ferseln, sehr grienstha und neumozung. ution schon voskurtin hat ftleden, schlu und panten mit dackt.
October 9th, 2011 at 2:12 am
Keep up the excellent work, I read few content on this website and I believe that your site is real interesting and contains lots of superb info.I want to thank you for the efforts you have put in composing this blog. I am hoping the same top-quality blog post from you in the future as well. In fact your creative writing abilities has inspired me to start my own blog now. Truly the blogging is spreading its wings rapidly. Your write up is a fine example of it.
October 23rd, 2011 at 2:31 am
Good news dudeThank buyers as transfer very good informations. Your web is greatI am inspired using the instructions which buyers have in things like this url. it displays Tricks to excellent buyers understand this subject. saved this blog, went going back as way more. consumers, my friend, ROCK! I discovered just the know-how I now searched everywhere and also only couldn’t discover. What a perfect homepage. liking things like this website Your New website is I as to my brand new favs.I likes things like this info shown and also this without doubt has given me Some type on desire how to succeed for A few reason, a great deal carry build up the effective work
December 16th, 2011 at 4:15 am
Good site! I really love how it is easy on my eyes and the data are well written. I am wondering how I might be notified whenever a new post has been made. I have subscribed to your RSS feed which must do the trick! Have a nice day! Goldstar Locksmith 9620 w russell rd #2134 las vegas NV 89148 United States 702-475-6828
December 16th, 2011 at 11:26 am
Hi there, i read your blog from time to time and i own a similar one and i was just wondering if you get a lot of spam feedback? If so how do you stop it, any plugin or anything you can recommend? I get so much lately it’s driving me crazy so any assistance is very much appreciated.
January 14th, 2012 at 12:14 pm
Read why News is a great thing.