Microsoft joins OpenAJAX group

21 March 2007: Microsoft has revealed that it is now participating in the OpenAjax alliance, joining with other members to make the AJAX (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML) Web scripting technique more interoperable.

OpenAjax also plans to detail progress on its OpenAjax Hub technology, which is intended to provide interoperability among different AJAX frameworks. These developments are to be revealed at the AJAXWorld Conference & Expo in New York City.

"Obviously, Microsoft is a very important player in the AJAX world because it has the dominant browser on desktop computers and a significant share in the server world and with the .Net servers," said Jon Ferraiolo, acting director of OpenAjax Alliance and Web architect for Emerging Technologies at the IBM Software Group.

Microsoft has been promoting AJAX via its ASP.Net AJAX technology, formerly called "Atlas." Developers can build AJAX-style applications and integrate with the .Net Framework. OpenAjax had been seeking Microsoft's participation.

Formed in February 2006 by vendors and such organizations as IBM, Google, and the Dojo Foundation, the alliance has set out to bolster AJAX by making it more interoperable. A principal goal has been to enable developers to use multiple AJAX technologies within the same Web application.

OpenAjax has expanded to 72 member organizations with 20 members signing up in the last couple of months, Ferraiolo said. Newest members, in addition to Microsoft, include such companies as ActiveGrid, ESRI, Helmi Tecnologies, OpSource, and Tealeaf Technology.

Source : http://www.computerworld.com.au