Richness for rich internet applications

Smart web apps have been around for a long time, these are hyper markup pages that perform like desktops. Now we have rich internet web apps that do more, these make asynchronous communications possible. But besides these with apps being developed in flex and ajax, we need certain pointers that can define what would be richest in rich internet applications, and here it is,

• Web metaphor,
• Offer innovation or mock desktop,
• Score high on usability metrics,
• Have all browser based functionalities or provide a work around,
• Rich UI possibilities, and
• User Multi-tasking functionalities.

Web Metaphor
Web metaphor has reduced many possibilities due to page constraints, technical feasibilities etc. With adoption of rich internet application a considerable change can be introduced,

• Multi-page metaphor

• §Interaction design

• Navigation

»Offer innovation or mock desktop
RIA based designs should offer functionalities that are not currently not feasible with web applications. These could include features such as drag and drop, prompts, invoking pages etc.

» Score high on usability metrics
RIA applications bring with them abilities of direct manipulation and instant feedback. With these inherent capabilities Usability metrics should improve in applications.

»Support all functionalities in web applications or provide a work around
Web applications have abilities such as back button etc to make changes to earlier content or locate path. Based on app review all such functionalities should be provided in the RIA application or a work around should be present to accomplish the tasks.

»Have rich design/ graphic possibilities currently not available in web applications
Web applications inherently have limitations such as web colors, use of gradients, image sizes and font limitations. RIA and flex applications should be exploited to this end in providing highly visual applications.

»Multi-tasking possibilities
Due to asynchronous possibilities RIA applications can be effectively used for multi-tasking. In web based apps this type of functionality was difficult to maintain and create.