Amber and Russ
This postscript is to thank the wonderful Amber Rhea and Russell Heimlich for their work here. The good news is that they are both remaining in the Weblogs, Inc. family. You can find Russ at DV Guru, and Amber at Download Squad. This blog will remain archived for reference and searching. Thanks to everyone who visited here!
It's been real
![](https://web.archive.org/web/20070703131853im_/http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/javascript.weblogsinc.com/media/2006/08/the-end-bb2.gif)
If you are so heartbroken at the thought of this blog going dark because you just can't get enough of Amber Rhea, worry not! You can find me at the Georgia Podcast Network, where I pontificate about a variety of topics; and my personal blog, Being Amber Rhea. And you might just catch me somewhere else 'round the Weblogs, Inc. network, as well.
I'll leave you with links to some of my favorite Javascript/webdev information sites: Thanks, y'all.
Rotating ads with Ajax
![](https://web.archive.org/web/20070703131853im_/http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/javascript.weblogsinc.com/media/2006/08/bulbs1.gif)
object
element?)Thickbox 2.0 released
![](https://web.archive.org/web/20070703131853im_/http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/javascript.weblogsinc.com/media/2006/08/thickbox.jpg)
Dynamic docking boxes
James at Brothercake brings us Docking Boxes (dbx) - drag-and-drop, snap-to-grid boxes with show/hide functionality. (All the functionality is fully accessible via keyboard, as well.) When I first saw this, I thought, "Cool!" - but I couldn't think of any practical uses for it.
However, the more I thought about it, I realized Docking Boxes could actually serve a practical purpose all across the Internet. There are tons of sites that offer customizable profile pages, including the option to show or hide various pieces of content (Yahoo and Frappr are two that immediately come to mind). Currently, customizing your Yahoo profile is kind of a pain; it takes forever and the interface is clunky. But what if you could simply drag and drop content boxes to wherever you want them on the page? Hell, if Docking Boxes really took off, even MySpace might start to suck a little less!
However, the more I thought about it, I realized Docking Boxes could actually serve a practical purpose all across the Internet. There are tons of sites that offer customizable profile pages, including the option to show or hide various pieces of content (Yahoo and Frappr are two that immediately come to mind). Currently, customizing your Yahoo profile is kind of a pain; it takes forever and the interface is clunky. But what if you could simply drag and drop content boxes to wherever you want them on the page? Hell, if Docking Boxes really took off, even MySpace might start to suck a little less!
Javascript outside of the browser
When you think of Javascript, you generally think of the web. But Javascript is used in many different places other than cyberspace. So if you are curious about trying out Javascript in a new environment, check out these guides.
Apple / Yahoo widgets both utilize (X)HTML and Javascript for creating simple mini-applications that users can access on their desktop. Both fun and functional.
Sony's popular video editing program, Vegas, has had scripting support since version 4.0. Using a Javascript syntax, developers can add their own functionality to the program to do several repetitive tasks with the click of a button, for example.
Adobe has a host of applications that incorporate scripting support.
Know of any other applications that use Javascript and have good guides for getting started? Post them in the comments.
Apple / Yahoo widgets both utilize (X)HTML and Javascript for creating simple mini-applications that users can access on their desktop. Both fun and functional.
Sony's popular video editing program, Vegas, has had scripting support since version 4.0. Using a Javascript syntax, developers can add their own functionality to the program to do several repetitive tasks with the click of a button, for example.
Adobe has a host of applications that incorporate scripting support.
Know of any other applications that use Javascript and have good guides for getting started? Post them in the comments.
Ajax and Firefox: a match made in heaven?
MyStickies is a burgeoning service-cum-Firefox extension that allows you to place virtual sticky notes all over the web via - you guessed it - Ajax. Its creators describe it as "bookmarks on steroids." For it to work, you have to sign up for a MyStickies account and install a Firefox extension. That's how the magic happens.
And MyStickies isn't alone in its incorporation of extensions. The phenomenon has led Dietrich Kappe to propose the term Bejax - "Browser Extensions and Ajax." He wonders whether combining the power of Ajax with the ease-of-use of browser extensions could be the future of web apps.
What do you think?
And MyStickies isn't alone in its incorporation of extensions. The phenomenon has led Dietrich Kappe to propose the term Bejax - "Browser Extensions and Ajax." He wonders whether combining the power of Ajax with the ease-of-use of browser extensions could be the future of web apps.
What do you think?
Javascript speed tests
![Javascript Speed Test](https://web.archive.org/web/20070703131853im_/http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/javascript.weblogsinc.com/media/2006/08/jsspeed.gif)
P.S. Post your scores in the comments section. My results looked like this after one run ...
Firefox - 4922 ms
IE - 3642 ms
Firefox (Safe Mode) - 3438 ms
Opera - 1188 ms
Ajax chat and push vs. pull
Storm has created a wonderfully simple Ajax chat module which can function either as a live chat interface or a "graffiti board." There is a demo available for your chatting pleasure.
In the blog post that accompanies the module, Storm poses the question of whether Ajax applications can truly be "push" applications. It seems to me that Google's GTalk is an embodiment of an answer in the affirmative. However, since I'm not familiar with all the intricacies of GTalk, I'll invite readers to discuss the issue in the comments section. (Sadly, I can't embed the Ajax chat module right here in the blog post.)
In the blog post that accompanies the module, Storm poses the question of whether Ajax applications can truly be "push" applications. It seems to me that Google's GTalk is an embodiment of an answer in the affirmative. However, since I'm not familiar with all the intricacies of GTalk, I'll invite readers to discuss the issue in the comments section. (Sadly, I can't embed the Ajax chat module right here in the blog post.)
Rotating solar system
![Rotating solar system](https://web.archive.org/web/20070703131853im_/http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/javascript.weblogsinc.com/media/2006/08/rotate.jpg)
XMLHttpRequest in IE 7
Michael Mahemoff at Ajaxian addresses the issue of native XMLHttpRequest support in IE 7. The IE 7 team has repeatedly stated, with relative fanfare, that the new browser will include native XMLHttpRequest. But, as Michael points out, the question remains: just how native is this native XMLHttpRequest?
Two points worth mentioning are 1) xhr.prototype fails and 2) IE has an option to disable native XHR. So, when native XMLHttpRequest support in IE is being touted, remember to take it with the appropriate serving of salt
Two points worth mentioning are 1) xhr.prototype fails and 2) IE has an option to disable native XHR. So, when native XMLHttpRequest support in IE is being touted, remember to take it with the appropriate serving of salt
A javascript boot camp tutorial
![Javascript Boot Camp Tutorial](https://web.archive.org/web/20070703131853im_/http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/javascript.weblogsinc.com/media/2006/07/jsfoobar.gif)
Add mouse wheel scrolling to your next web app
![Mouse Scrolling](https://web.archive.org/web/20070703131853im_/http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/javascript.weblogsinc.com/media/2006/07/mouse.jpg)
The unofficial Google paint
![Google Paint](https://web.archive.org/web/20070703131853im_/http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/javascript.weblogsinc.com/media/2006/07/gpaint.jpg)
Add a visual cue where your visitors are going when leaving your site
![Link Thumbnail](https://web.archive.org/web/20070703131853im_/http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/javascript.weblogsinc.com/media/2006/07/linknail.jpg)
Supported browsers include IE 6.0+, Firefox 1.5+, Safari 2.0, and Opera 8.51. Enjoy!