Maps of listings are a great way to enhance a listing website. Many of you already know this, but both Google and Yahoo use Asynchronous Javascript And XML (AJAX) to do their magic.
Last week, a major AJAX announcement was made from IBM. Basically, it should ensure that tools will be available from a wide variety of vendors. I always feel better when I have choices, whether they be in code or life!
As a review, AJAX allows a web-based application to “appear” to be a desktop application. The key word here is appear. Although there is still communication between the browser and the server, the user doesn’t see the “flashing” of the page. The communication actually by-passes the traditional (and time consuming HTTP sessions) of web-based applications.
This technology (or more accurately “programming style”)has actually been around awhile, but is getting some extra attention these days due to mapping APIs and e-mail clients that are beginning to appear. AJAX will (hopefully) begin to standardize practices in these type of applications.
Ten points to anyone who posts the connection between AJAX and the stadium in the picture!
Hint: The Rolling Stones will be there July 30.
Is it the Amsterdam Stadium formerly known as De Meer, home to the Amsterdam Ajax Football team (Soccer for us Americans)?
That's because Google bought the map data from someone else, as you can see in the lower right hand corner of every map.