Rich Internet Applications, or RIAs, are hybrid applications that provide the stability of a desktop application with the flexibility of a web application.
Today, most of us are on the go. We find ourselves passing time in airports, cafes and meeting rooms. Yet, for many of us, connectivity allows us to be productive. So, at these times we may be hampered by our lack of connectivity. Fortunately, hotspots are sprouting up where we can tie into the network and off-load mail and documents without too much trouble, but we are still limited.
RIAs promise us the abilty to stay "connected". These hybrid applications will allow us to stay prolific even when we are untethered. Having the capacity to produce whenever and wherever possible allows us to remain competitive, even during "down times". RIAs utilize the computing power of our laptop or desktop resources, which increases the speed with which we derive our results, while reducing our bandwidth requirements.
This is another reason why open solutions are needed today. Only through an open and proprietary blend can we achieve ideal results.
The majority of us choose to use a proprietary operating system. These systems provide the foundation on which to build innovative services. Apple's OS X is an example of how a solid foundation can contribute to these services. Using native tools, the OS X developer, designer and user can create solutions that can be enjoyed by all.
Macromedia has been instrumental in spreading the word about the power of the RIAs. Macromedia's web offerings, traditionally used by designers, are now being used by developers. The synergy generated through these efforts has produced some viable alternatives to traditional web solutions. ColdFusion MX can run on Windows, Solaris and Linix platforms, and JRun 4 can deliver solutions via Mac OS X, Linux and Windows. Flash Remoting MX allows you to utilize your current application server, working with J2EE and Servlet environments.
Meanwhile, behind the scenes, other organizations have been developing resources that may very well compliment and power this new paradigm. For example, Mozilla.org has delivered an open-source development environment that provides tools for delivering a powerful sandbox from which to work. Javascript and CSS used in combination with the Mozilla toolkit creates an environment ideal for delivering cross-platform RIAs.
As you can see, there is activity on many fronts. With this shift in focus, users will benefit from the increase in productivity and a better experience. In the coming months, the lines between operating systems will begin to blur as developers concoct their own blend of Rich Internet Applications.
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