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Replies:
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Last Post:
Nov 19, 2008 6:40 AM
by: javakiddy
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Java Web Start as Rich Internet Application technology
Posted:
Nov 17, 2008 9:56 AM
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I work for a large company that has created a web start application that is now being used by thousands of users. The application uses web start for deployment but has all business logic on the server using web services.
Our marketing group wanted to know how to define our application, and I told them they should use the term Rich Internet Application. Because that is, in my belief exactly what it is.
There are some in the company that don't believe in Java on the Client technology and therefore are pitching hard that this technology not be considered RIA, even though they are willing to call flash, flex, air, and silverlight RIA.
How does the Java Desktop community come down on this question. I think it is important because much of Java on the Desktop issues really come down to marketing not technology.
Thanks
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Re: Java Web Start as Rich Internet Application technology
Posted:
Nov 18, 2008 8:48 AM
in response to: drichan
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I had similar difficulties about a year ago until I finally just gave everyone a link to the Wikipedia entry for RIA. Since it was in Wikipedia, it must be true. Now management praises the nice RIA we develop. It looks like some people have been hacking up the current wiki entry, so it is no longer complete. The tag-monkeys are no doubt attempting to eradicate Java, Webstart, and Applets from ever being mentioned again, but here is a link to the earlier entry from a year ago... http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rich_Internet_application&oldid=156404259
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Re: Java Web Start as Rich Internet Application technology
Posted:
Nov 19, 2008 6:40 AM
in response to: evickroy
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Just checked the current Wikipedia entry and I agree, the article has been edited to make it *very* browser-centric. I recognise there isn't a consensus over precisely where the boundaries of the term lie, but in such a case shouldn't the WP page reflect and explain that uncertainty?
I've posted a message to the article's Talk page, saying as much. I think the article desperately needs ideas on how to balance it, so if anyone thinks they can define "RIA", head on over to WP... 
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Re: Java Web Start as Rich Internet Application technology
Posted:
Nov 18, 2008 8:55 AM
in response to: drichan
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I think that the bigger issue is the fact that, as you said, "There are some in the company that don't believe in Java on the Client technology..." I think you are also right that "Java on the Desktop issues really come down to marketing not technology."
Keep in mind that it wasn't too long ago that "RIA" used to be referred to as "Fat Client" as opposed to "Thin Client" applications. This was back in the days of client server applications which involved all sorts of user installation and configuration requirements which were eventually eased somewhat with the advent of browser plugins, but which still involved hassles. Many people still carry painful memories of those days and probably still assume that this pain can only be eased by expensive closed source (i.e. proprietary) RIA solutions. The fact that Java Web Start now basically eliminates these problems apparently still has yet to be shouted loud enough into the trumpet for Horton to hear.*
Marketing is also all about making money, which may be why your marketing department may feel more comfortable applying the "RIA" term to closed, for-profit technologies like Flash, Flex, Air, and Silverlight.
It may be that the bigger issue is to come up with a profitable business model which can be sucessfully applied to an open source technology such as Java in general, whether it be RIA or anything else. Until this happens, then the marketing departments of the world will continue to be more influenced by the closed source companies who have the wads of cash to flash in their faces.
* For an explanation of "Horton" hearing trumpets, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horton_Hears_a_Who!
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Re: Java Web Start as Rich Internet Application technology
Posted:
Nov 19, 2008 12:59 AM
in response to: drichan
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I avoid marketing terminology like RIA like the plague. It is an application, a client/server application. From a distance the actual technology doesn't matter. Technologies come and go.
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