What do y’all think about OpenLaszlo?
Ok, so, I’ve been consumed with the rich web for a while now. Specifically, I am interested in developing sites that offer the rich interface that provide humans with a more meaningful interaction with online content, but degrades elegantly to allow for the greatest accessibility, aka progressive enhancement. It’s all part of my quest for a better way to design for the web.
Most recently I was inspired by MTV.com. I really liked the way they present their content with a rich interface, yet they offer an HTML alternative that is powered by the same CMS. I’ve been looking into solutions like Faust, which is essentially a script that converts HTML into an XML file that can be fed into a Flash movie. I like this concept because if a shop can standardize their XML structure, then they don’t have to create two versions of a site in order to offer a elegant degradation.
My friend Josh just told me about OpenLaszlo, which appears to be a rich web development platform. I’m just curious if any of my readers have experience with this new platform and if so, does OpenLaszlo allow for rapid development of progressively enhanced rich websites?
Some things I’d like to improve upon the MTV.com model is the ability to offer back button support, bookmarking, and text is copy and paste compatible. Does OpenLaszlo help with that kind of accessibility?
At my first pass at OpenLaszlo I thought it was really cool, potentially even THE thing that will push the web beyond the either/or of xhtml or flash. But on closer inspection I’m not so sure.
My main complaint is that it tries to do everything. It’s cool, but just not necessary. The most important thing is the flash to javascript bridge. At the heart of this, basically it allows you to parse an html file and display content based on a range of things (class, id, list, type, etc) in a flash file, or just simply transfer data from(and to) flash to javascript (and then anywhere you want it to go, probably a database) in a an efficient and persistent manner. This is a concept crucial to pushing the web forward but I’m not convinved that you need this program to do it.
My main gripes are that you basically need to right pseudo-html to do a lot of things(which they compile to real xhtml), they make it not an easy task to add your own javascript, and it bothers me that it needs to either be compiled to run your server or you have to use “OpenLaszlo Server.” It all adds up, to me, to feeling locked into THEIR program and their way of doing things. Some may love it and I truly appreciate the effort, because its a grande idea, but I think it’s too much.
Now, if the mad4milk(their amazing javascript framework- mootools.net), or the prototype guys created an extension that allowed for native communication with flash objects, I would be excited.
From josh on April 17th, 2007 at 8:59 pm
I think this is a huge piece that would really open the doors to true hybrid web sites. It makes me think about the clean slate concept for the Internet. I’m curious if we are reaching a point where our mash up of technologies being developed in a decentralized, market driven manner will not allow for a smooth bridge between them all. That is most likely a long term future concern, so in the mean time, I too hope that the mad4milk guys or prototype guys create that bridge. :)
From Justin on April 18th, 2007 at 10:08 am
The trick is to develop a system that allows any kind of output of your data, be it HTML, custom XML, JSON, etc. This is something I believe is needed badly for web sites that consistently change their appearance…especially ones with Flash front-ends or hybrid HTML/Flash. And with Flash 9/AS3 coming and Flex already available, this is going to become even more important.
The technology is all there to do this, and OpenLaszlo is a good step towards the right approach.
From Matt King on April 24th, 2007 at 4:04 pm
Hey, Matt!
A system that allows for the exchange of data independent of the final tags it may be wrapped in would make hybridization much simpler.
Have you used OpenLaszlo or been exploring it? I’d be curious to hear your quick pros and cons on it.
BTW, I’m glad to see your blogging again. I’ll add you to my blogroll.
From Justin on April 26th, 2007 at 7:25 am
I prefer OpenLaszlo over Flash because of the software development approach instead of the movie style that Flash uses. It seems like your developing a real logical program instead of telling ActionScript when to play a frame.
Quote from Josh:
“My main gripes are that you basically need to right pseudo-html to do a lot of things(which they compile to real xhtml), they make it not an easy task to add your own javascript, and it bothers me that it needs to either be compiled to run your server or you have to use “OpenLaszlo Server.” It all adds up, to me, to feeling locked into THEIR program and their way of doing things.”
Uhhhh, doesn’t Flash do this too? I don’t know why you feel “locked” into using the OpenLaszlo Server. There is actually a command line compiler too. BTW, an OL app doesn’t HAVE to be compiled to run on only your server. You can use and the server will compile your lzx file to a swf in the same directory that can be used anywhere. I think the OL “server” is just meant to be a medium for presenting files.
From Nick M on May 6th, 2007 at 8:59 pm
Nick M, thanks for sharing your applied experience!
From Justin on May 7th, 2007 at 4:21 pm