Analysis: Web 2.0 Technologies

Adobe Flex/Flash Alternatives

Competing more directly with Flex/Flash will be Microsoft's XAML (Extensible Application Markup Language), due to be introduced in Vista when the newest Windows OS finally launches. XAML provides most of the same functionality as Flex/Flash, including a browser-hosted runtime and support for video, image manipulation, animation and server-side extensions. It also will sport IDEs, thorough documentation and debugger support.

The drawback, as is usually the case with Microsoft technologies, is that XAML is platform-specific. It won't run on alternative OSs/browsers, and so like ActiveX is likely an option only in controlled deployment environments. It is, however, an alternative for Microsoft-specific shops and validates the usefulness and need for Flex/Flash and similar technologies.