Rich Internet Applications
"Rich Internet Applications (RIAs) offer a rich, engaging experience that improves user satisfaction and increases productivity." [from Adobe] Using the broad reach of the Internet, RIAs can be deployed across browsers and even Desktops.
Benefits Of RIAs
RIAs offer organizations a proven, cost-effective way to deliver modern applications with real business benefits:
- Offer users a richer, more engaging experience.
- Interactivity is the focal point of a RIA based application.
- Provide support for Audio/Video streaming.
- Are not browser specific, which means the application has the same look and feel to it irrespective of the browser being used to display the application.
Users generally need to install a browser plug-in which is responsible for executing the RIA. Most of these frameworks are free to install and are compatible across multiple browsers, devices and operating systems.
Technology Options for RIAs
- Adobe Flex: Flex is a RIA technology which runs on Adobe's Flash player. Flash as a format for RIA has become very widespread and has created a market dominance in recent years. Because of its popularity the Adobe Flash player comes installed on most browsers. To look at examples of applications created using Adobe Flex click here.
- Microsoft Silverlight: In recent years, Microsoft Silverlight has emerged as a strong competitor to Flash. While not yet as prevalent on web sites as Flash, Silverlight has been used to provide video streaming for many high profile events, including the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and the 2008 conventions for both major political parties in the United States. Silverlight is also used by Netflix for its instant video streaming services. To look at examples of applications using Silverlight click here.
To conclude, in my opinion Rich Internet Applications bring a whole new level of interactivity to the end user.
Author: Gagan Jaswal, EQUIP Software Developer
Comments
- Juvs
Jaswal, I say you have more option for RIA's, by instance ExtJS, JQuery UI....
- May 12, 2010, 7:18 PM
- Gagan Jaswal
I absolutely agree. I chose to mention Flex and Silverlight because those two emerged as the final two contendors for some prototype EQUIP applications I was working on.
- May 13, 2010, 9:51 AM