If Ajax Fails

Business users are clamoring for web-apps that can behave more like client-server/desktop applications. The current hope seems to be on AjAx. But because JavaScript is not a systems language, and because MicroSoft will probably not fix IE JavaScript problems if it risks their desktop dominence, Ajax has a fairly good chance of failing, I hate to say.

What would come next in order to obtain better GUI's? Some possible scenarios:

• A new standard GUI-centric protocol

• Expanding sales of prioprietary tools such as Flash forms.

• Tools like VisualBasic and Delphi will be rebuilt like a browser in their own right with potential for automatic updates, just-in-time domain code transfer, etc.

• JavaApplets will be given a second try.

• Web applications will be written in a new way and then machine-translated down to the current hodgepodge of web technologies.