Java experts back AJAX
Asynchronous JavaScript and XML (AJAX) proved to be extremely popular at TheServerSide Java Symposium that took place in Las Vegas recently, with Java experts predicting a strong role for AJAX in the future of development on the Java platform.
According to eWeek, some software engineers think a whole new ecosystem will develop around AJAX as excitement about Web sites continues to grow.
Others have described AJAX as service oriented architecture for the client and have predicted AJAX will make a huge difference on how Web applications are built in future.
Sun woos developers
Sun Microsystems has announced two new developer programmes as part of the company`s ongoing initiative to appeal to developers, says eWeek.
The Sun Developer Expert Assistance programme provides e-mail-based technical assistance for individual developers anywhere in the world. The programme is the first from Sun to provide developers with specialised advice for programming issues on a per-request basis with guaranteed response times.
The Sun Community Champions Program is aimed at enabling members of the Sun Developer Network community to promote their experiences with Sun technology and tools. Participants have a chance to be recognised for their achievements by their peers and by Sun.
Firefox word processor released
A functional word processor that is compatible with Microsoft Word documents and exports documents into PDF is one of the latest Web 2.0 projects to be released on the Web.
Web Pro News says AjaxWrite looks and works similar to MS Word, but within a Firefox browser. The article notes there is no IE, Opera or Safari support yet.
AjaxWrite has been compared to MS Wordpad, except it can save a PDF file, has a highlighter feature. However AjaxWrite as yet cannot search a document, do a print preview, or show rulers on screen, all of which Wordpad can do.