Challenges

Backward compatability

Ensuring that content is available to users (and user agents) without JavaScript (or ActiveX).

Hijax solves this problem.

What's happening?

Example: Contact details (JS) (.gif)

Example: Contact form (JS) (.gif)

What just happened?

Example: Contact details (JS)

Example: Contact form (JS)

Web Services

The same-site restriction

• Use your own server as a proxy to process web services.
• One more hop for the data to travel.

Example: Adactio Elsewhere

Browser behavior

• Bookmarking

  If a page should be bookmarkable, maybe you shouldn't be using Ajax.

• The back button

  A rule of thumb: don't change too much of the current page.

  • Frames: browsers were updated to adapt to the situation.
  • Flash: designers tried to eliminate the browser controls.

Wireframing

Wireframing Ajax is a bitch.

— Jeffrey Zeldman

It's just a tool

Ajax can enhance your website, but your website shouldn't rely on Ajax.

The biggest challenges to making a great website aren't technological.

It's all about the user experience.

Next

Ajax and accessibility.