The future of Web Based UIs?
Wow! Now this is impressive! [Found via once again, BoingBoing]
No, seriously, it is impressive what they did.
Basically all you need to do is write some XML markup, and the server marks it up and churns out flash movie files.
So, what am I talking about here? I’m talking about Laszlo.
What is it?
According to their FAQ:
“Laszlo is an open platform for the development and delivery of rich Internet applications on the World Wide Web. Rich Internet applications combine the usability of desktop software with the cost-advantages of server-based deployment.”
“The Laszlo platform consists of the LZX language and the Laszlo Presentation Server.”
“LZX is an XML and JavaScript description language similar in spirit to XUL and XAML. LZX enables a declarative, text-based development process that supports rapid prototyping and software development best practices.”
“The Laszlo Presentation Server (LPS) is a Java servlet that compiles LZX applications into executable binaries for targeted run-time environments. Currently, the LPS compiles LZX applications into SWF bytecode for the Flash Player, serves and caches these compiled applications to any Web browser enabled with Flash 5 or later, and proxies application requests for back-end XML data sources and web services.”
Check out the Learn Laszlo in 10 minute samples. Also check out the Open Laszlo website.
My first reaction when I looked at the syntax?
That’s just some simple XML (and some samples mix in some ECMAScript [aka JavaScript])! Anyone that can do HTML using their favourite text editor can do that! Ok, just the one thing, the presentation server is a Java servlet. Still good though. Still very impressive what they have done.
I can tell you now, each time I went through a different demo, I just say to myself “wow”.
Now can someone tell me how much easier this is than ActionScripting in Flash?
If Microsoft want to replace ActiveX, then having a platform that produces Flash Files (ok, what I really mean here is swf files) would be nice.
Perhaps the guys at Sun could somehow get Java Applets compiled into Flash files (and again, the SWF files)?
I mean, this would absolutely rock as it means Java Developers don’t need to worry about whether the user has Java installed client side. The SWF file format is “almost” the standard way to develop interactive web UIs. Have a look over at OpenSWF.org, which states “Almost 95% of web users can view SWF content without having to install a new plug-in”.
Now is that good enough reason to switch from 1) Java Applets to SWF? and 2) ActiveX to SWF?
I know there are limitations to how much you can do with SWF, compared to what you can do with Java Applets and ActiveX, but there are a lot of websites out there that don’t actually fully utilise those respective languages. I’ve seen examples of Java Applet usage on web pages (though, very rare these days) where Flash would have done a much nicer job.
There is just so much you can do with JavaScript. With laszlo you can do much much more, in such a simple simple manner.
Though I think the company needs a much more catchier name. But, hey, I could be wrong.
Oh, and Laszlo is free and open source! Even more reason to try it out. Another thing i’ll be keeping an eye on!
Also, you can look at Macromedia Flex. It’s also XML based, and produces the SWF files.
And yes, I do believe, flash animations in the wrong hands can be a disaster story! (eg: advertising banners etc… and those with obviously no design skills at all…).
And before I finish off, here are two different links about two different things: TheServerSide.com: Laszlo Goes Open Source and an interesting “discussion” over at TheServerSide.NET: Debate: Rich Clients or Browser Interface?.
I’ll leave it at that for now!
Oh, and one update: (Question I posed to a friend on MSN Messenger)
“…do you think it would result in better user interface experience for end users?” (it = Laszlo)
So what do you guys and gals think?