Cleve Gibbon's "Java Soup" Blog

Which of the following are RIAs: Google Earth, Gmail, Picnik, iTunes? "RIA" is too broad term and trying to stuff all this types of application into that bucket. I think discussing the terms will deliver much more value. What do you think an RIA is? Do we need another term?

What do you think an RIA is? Which of the following are RIAs:

• Google Earth
• Gmail
• Picnik
• iTunes

Take a couple of seconds to think about that and then read David Herron’s Thoughts on Rich Internet Applications. Now go back and classify the above applications.

Now think about these new types of web application that can you tear off from the web browser and place on your desktop and for them to continue working. At that point I realised that RIA is too broad term and trying to stuff all this types of application into that bucket is only fuelling the confusion. But do we need another term? I think discussing the terms will deliver much more value.

RIAs are not installed in the traditional sense but are delivered over the Internet, when they may involve a small amount of installation on the desktop. Furthermore, all updates and fixes are delivered over the Internet.

Are there any other characteristics? Who’s gonna kick things off…?