This is a complete rebuild of the core application with an emphasis on speed, ease of use, and scalability. Here are the major changes currently in the testing version:
Speed Speed Speed! 2.0 is a full Ajax application, no more waiting around for page refreshes.
Improved stats including a longest chain stat for positive goals and longest gap stat for negative goals.
Lighter design means there are less links to deal with and better clarity. Goals can now be edited by clicking on their name instead of on the options link.
Customizable display options means you can pick which stats you want to watch for each goal.
Printable tracker for those who like to work on a hard copy during the week and update their tracker on the weekend.
You can also switch back and forth between 2.0 and the classic version until everyone gets ported over.
I'll be checking this update out as Ian has given me early access to it and writing up some feedback over on Ajaxian.com soon.
I'm re-submitting this post since I had to blow away the original one when I had the HTTP compression issues. The original, posted on August 19, 2007, can be found via Google cache:
With RIA's becoming so pervasive and developers just going full tilt in embracing toolkits that help build these wonderful apps, its still extremely important to take into consideration site optimizations that actually make your site usable.
Take for example the age old adage of the “files are cached on the user's computer”. Well, Yahoo seems to have done a good job of dispelling that thinking by doing some research that shows that:
40-60% of Yahoo's users have an empty cache experience
~20% of all page views are done with an empty cache
Holy crap! 40-60%!!! Yahoo's audience is so distinct that these figures really are compelling and should be considered when designing your site. Here's the link for the full article:
While reading ValleyWag, I found a post to a VERY cool Web 2.0 map that shows how most of the big players in the space interconnect with each other. Its based on a Tokyo subway map layout and comes in different formats and sizes.
If you're doing any type of Web 2.0/RIA development, then you're bound to know about Jack Slocum's YUI-Ext component library. Its a suite of world class, professionally developed JavaScript controls that truly provide a refined desktop feel to web applications.
That's right! jQuery and AjaxCFC users will now have a new component suite to use when building their web apps. Here are some of the components you'll be able to use when Ext 1.0 is officially released:
Paged, Dynamic, Grids:
Mixed Content Menus:
Advanced Dialog Layout and Themes:
Message Box Dialog:
Drag-and-Drop Trees:
Beginning with version 1.0 of Ext, it will work as an extension to jQuery as well, allowing jQuery users to leverage the power of the user interface tools available in Ext with the lightweight core library and expressive syntax of the best library for unobtrusive DOM scripting.
This is a HUGE win for both projects and helps to validate the efforts of John & Jack's tremendous work.
Now super rock star ColdFusion expert Ben Nadel has joined the growing list of notable CF'ers using jQuery for their Ajax & Javascript needs.
Seriously folks, its a fact that the folks that I've listed are industry respected experts and sharp as a tack. There are plenty of libraries to choose from and they've made a concious decision to use the jQuery in conjunction with ColdFusion for their development efforts. Why? Simple:
Extremely powerful with full support for CSS 1-3 Selectors and some basic XPath, allowing you do to expressions like: $(“div:not([a.error])”)
Impressive set of DOM manipulators, allowing you do to expressions like this, without batting an eye: $(“select”).append(“
“);
Lightweight (only 19k)
Amazing user community
Dedicated project team
Up-to-Date, consolidated and thorough documentation
A ton of UI controls and widgets
Tutorials galore
Introductory sites for the new jQuery developer
And with Rob Gonda releasing AjaxCFC for jQuery, there's no reason why you shouldn't take a look at this great library.
Agile Ajax just posted a very good entry about JQuery. Great to see that this amazingly powerful and lightweight Ajax library is getting the press it deserves.
If you haven't checked it out, you should seriously jump over to JQuery.com and take a shot at it. I'm using it with my ColdFusion applications and its working great.
I took a very informal poll on CF-Talk to see what Ajax frameworks were being used in the ColdFusion community. The results were interesting but not too surprising. Some were sticking to the CF-based frameworks such as AjaxCFC, CFAjax and the new MXAjax while others were really behind Spry. JQuery also received some kudos so its interesting to see how people are moving in different directions.
I'd certainly like to understand the rationale behind their choices as I'm sure would everyone else looking at Ajax frameworks. Essentally, why'd you go with AjaxCFC vs. JQuery vs. JSMX etc….
Here's the list of Ajax frameworks that came out of that thread:
Here's a tip that I wanted to share within everyone here. It may be known but I only found out about it today and wanted to share.
If you ever get the dreaded “Invalid Reply from Server” message from AjaxCFC, spark up Firefox/FireBug and call your site from your local IP. This will give you the actual message that DWR is sending back.
Put a stop point at about line 517 (or immediately after “batch.req.send(query);”) of engine.js and look for the “batch” object. In the there you'll find the “req” (XMLHttpRequest request) object which has a standard attribute called responseText. That will give you all of the details of your error but for security reasons, it only shows it via your local IP address (127.0.0.1).
Also, if you're not using FireBug for your Ajax & javascript development efforts, you're REALLY missing out. Its a FREE addon for FireFox and it truly is an amazing addon that lets you step though all of your client-side code and inspect the DOM.
Finally, be sure to get yourself a good HTTP sniffer. I recently picked up Service Capture and it works awesome. It lets me see all of the traffic come from my request which makes identifying issues with my Ajax requests MUCH easier. Its definitely worth the $40.
UPDATE: Rob Gonda pointed out that FireBug also has a built-in http sniffer and I just tested it out! And works like a charm! Thanks Rob!
AIM: iamreybango
