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.

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.

The technology is all there to do this, and OpenLaszlo is a good step towards the right approach.

The most important thing is the flash to javascript bridge.

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. :)

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.