Rich internet application

Definition

Rich Internet applications (RIA) are Web applications that have the features and functionality of traditional desktop applications. RIAs typically transfer the processing necessary for the user interface to the Web client but keep the bulk of the data (i.e., maintaining the state of the program, the data etc) back on the application server. (Wikipedia,, retrieved 12:36, 27 April 2007 (MEST))

Technology and examples

Technology

"Core" web 2.0

• AJAX (Javascript + HTML + CSS + HTTP + XMLHTTPRequest calls). There are a number of available development frameworks
• Some server-side technology (same as for any web application)
• web widget technology (APIs to integrate web applications into an organizing "page")

Plugins / webstart applications

• Java applets or Java webstart applications
• Flash + tools like Adobe Flex and Apollo

Browser extensions

• XUL (only works with Mozilla-based browsers).
• ActiveX Controls (only works with IE)

Other

• AJAX3D
• ...

Ria categories

• Virtual offices, (some, i.e. in the sense of Office 2.0)
• Webtops
• web widgets (building bricks for webtops, virtual offices, etc.)
• social software applications (most)
• (some) educational technologies

Examples

(just some, rather look up categories above)

Editing

• DITA Storm
• Through the web editors

Specifically for education (in this wiki)

• Personal learning environments (maybe some)
• LAMS
• microworlds (some)
• e-learning 2.0

Other places to visit

• List of rich Internet applications (Wikipedia)
• Category:Web applications (Wikipedia).

In education

Rich internet applications have a lot of potential, in particular for "classroom education" since it frees the teacher from administrative redtape and the organization from installation and maintenance. See e-learning 2.0.

Links and references

• Rich Internet application (Wikipedia).