“modal window” window model less than perfect

As you may have noticed, Ive been writing alot about Javascript recently. Mostly, because I’ve been reading alot about javascript recently. I’m working on a project that involves my first real brushes with AJAX, besides the word itself being thrown around all willy nilly. Everything is being built from scratch with ASP.Net 1.1, no anthem.net, no atlas. Just Michael Schwarz’s Ajax.Net Pro.

The whole thing really is pretty sharp. I’m not going to give a tutorial of how to work it, though I cannot recommend the documentation on michael schwarz’s page…pick up pragmatic ajax.

This commentary is more about designing ajax applications than how to build them. More than anything, the whole “stay within the page” model, and using div overlays as dialog boxes in a “modal window” fashion.

Overall, I dont like it.
I like inline editing, and so far in this app, we havent had any of it. TONS of places it could be used, but the application IA didnt call for it. Everything was placed in div-overlay dialog boxes. And since the content varies, the we need more and more methods to create a custom dialog box for each modal window.

Generally speaking, if there is any kind of delay on the callback, the dialog box gets munged. If you click on the trigger to launch it more than once, the effects could be disasterous on the page. Too much mouse input is required. Its an abuse of an application window model in a web-based application, and it just doesnt work for me.

I’m looking forward greatly for the sunset meeting on this project. It was the first AJAX project design for the IA, and the first AJAX app for me and the other developer. LOTS of learning for all of us…what works, what doesnt, and what do do for the future. Our next app is going to be incredible, so long as our sunset meeting is productive.

Some good reads:

AJAX wireframing (PDF Warning)

Matthew Miller’s Blog about ‘Too Much Ajax’

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07/04/09 12:04am en: @Bobd314 I emailed him a day or so ago. Its not the end of the world or anything just rather have that than something else.
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07/04/09 12:04am en: @loridar When you say "world" - do you mean figuratively or physically?
07/04/09 12:04am en: @MapleWorld: *grunts* Is there a more ideal way to contact a representitive/staff member of Nexon or Maplestory? I have a question.
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07/04/09 12:04am en: @mona_s or maybe you missed the line about how their ratings drop off at 9am when they leave ME and switch to classical music... ... ...
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07/04/09 12:04am en: @potentiate Wide open night Maybe some Baileys with the ice cream. Gonna get a mild buzz on Maybe rent a movie. Or twitter:)
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07/04/09 12:04am en: Looking to buy, borrow or rent an oboe asap. Starting lessons in Sept. Can anyone help?
07/04/09 12:04am en: run for the senate next year and run for president in 2016 or 2020.
07/04/09 12:04am en: @SherriEShepherd are using her and her family for punching bags. I never agreed with a lot of her choices or her way of campaigning
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07/04/09 12:04am en: Off to play cod-4. Maybe get in a round or 2 of zombies later
07/04/09 12:04am en: For there is nothing either good or bad, thinking makes it so.
07/04/09 12:04am en: Thank you for all suggestions for Canberra dressing. Just occurred to me I don't own long-johns. Or even short ones! Or mid-length.
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07/04/09 12:04am en: RT @OutwardBoundNZ thought for the wknd "Intergrity is not a 90% thing, not a 95% thing; either you have it or you don't." - Peter Scotese
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07/04/09 12:04am en: Maybe the Good Lord will give Cheney a massive heart attack, or syphillis, or maybe he could get hit by a car, or something cool like that?
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07/04/09 12:04am en: So to fireworks or not to fireworks...right now is pizza time.
07/04/09 12:04am en: Twitter Cooking: Lots of ice and more cold water to cover those chickens. Let brine for 1 hour or slightly more....
07/04/09 12:04am en: My fortune cookie said that soon I will meet someone beautiful, smart and loving. I hope that person is Sato Takeru...or Fujita Ray!
07/04/09 12:04am en: The intro song to deadliest catch is " wanted dead or alive" Bon jovi ^__^
07/04/09 12:04am en: I just finished #reading Terminal Freeze by Lincoln Child. It's not as good as Deep Storm or Utopia, but still a nice thrilling ride.
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07/04/09 12:04am en: @alectripp if you like drums, percussion, or just good music in general, follow me on twitter and check my myspace videos and songs!
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07/04/09 12:04am en: @missashleygayle that is hilarious... you are a fool. was it all quarters or random change?
07/04/09 12:04am en: okay so dancing is my passion but i am a cheerleader right now. Should i cheer or dance in college?!? please reply :)
07/04/09 12:04am en: Wow just seen 3 cops on bikes pull a guy over in a car, I wonder if they cornered him in or through out the spike's on him.
07/04/09 12:04am en: cassadee pope from hey monday is gunna be my new girl frann or i will steal her
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07/04/09 12:04am en: If I had winqs I would fly away. I need a therapist or at least someone to vent too...
07/04/09 12:04am en: I'm a bit gutted that the cavs didn't pick up artest or ariza
07/04/09 12:04am en: Americans: has the 4th lost it's meaning to you or...?: Fellow Americans.......just about every old holiday, mem.. http://tinyurl.com/kju8vz
07/04/09 12:04am en: Nothing going on this weekend. Baz at work, Ollie at Grandies. Home alone again to do the washing etc.. or not.........
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07/04/09 12:04am en: Have fun raising Tripp or Trigg or whatever the fuck that kids name is.
07/04/09 12:04am en: Everyone have a great evening and a better night! I have some work to do and watch some movies later be good or be good at it people.
07/04/09 12:04am en: @vivalajamiee i wish they played diamonds though. or i am who i am. or lights. i love the ep
07/04/09 12:04am en: At Hoover Dam, no sign of Megatron or any Transformers http://myloc.me/7p9j
07/04/09 12:04am en: Tonight's flying beast is a moth. I don't know where last night's Daddy Long Legs went (possibly in the cat) or the spider from last week!?!
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07/04/09 12:04am en: I cant stand how Amercia try 2 turn a sharp eye 2 ppl perceived as "hood" or "ghetto".Truth is, the government is PART of the reas
07/04/09 12:04am en: So my new passport came in today I'm pretty excited about that. Now with 10 days left I'm still not sure if I'm heading to germany or not
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07/04/09 12:04am en: Ahmed's 12th birthday was a flop. When he'd asked his parents for a RPG, he meant a role game like "Final Fantasy" or "World of Warcraf
07/04/09 12:04am en: i must stop eating, or i'll be as big as a whale when holidays over.
07/04/09 12:04am en: @djbrainchild phone calls, i get, but is there a difference between texts and direct messages? or did you mean betw txts & reg tweets?
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07/04/09 12:04am en: Palin needed to pass the ball in order from the Alaskan people to win, does that mean if should were to stay that she would lose? OR fail?
07/04/09 12:04am en: @mightymonarch apparently the air show has a twitter @bcballoon, it says they won't launch until 8, or right about now
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07/04/09 12:04am en: I was thinkin the same thing ! RT @NiqqiB: #realtalk jus cuz u put harujuku or barbie in ya twitter name doesn't mean u fit that category..
07/04/09 12:04am en: The Conventional Wisdom is struggling to find its center on Palin bizarro-drama. Oh, where oh where are you David Broder or WAPO?
07/04/09 12:04am en: Eating breakfast in the dark. WILL SOMEONE TURN ON THE DAMN LIGHTS!? Or move the curtains, at least?
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07/04/09 12:04am en: dilema. should i use my cash for an iphone, or towards finishing my ribs?
07/04/09 12:04am : #fb
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07/04/09 12:04am en: Uh, no thanks. If you have the word "niggas" in your Twitter feed, I don't know what might possibly compel you to follow me (or vice versa.)
07/04/09 12:04am en: RT @PJCox: @onlydanno yes - last year they just would not shut up. Got arm ache. - I dare you to do the cunt mime or the shit bag one haha x
07/04/09 12:04am en: Or maybe I'd rather DRINK my way through the weekend...yes, that sounds like a much better solution. Anyone up for a cold beer?
07/04/09 12:04am en: Happy Hoilday. Sorry to inform you that we will not be open on the 4th of July or the 5th of July. We will resume regular hours on the 6th
07/04/09 12:04am en: VERIFIED ACCOUNT. this is in fact elaine g., not a stranger. plus, i dont think im loved or hated enough to be posed as. :P
07/04/09 12:04am en: @simbasmama Might want to just get a finch or a canary then. No parrots for you!
07/04/09 12:04am en: No class or training tomorrow. Its the 4th of July!
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07/04/09 12:04am en: and make us follow the stupid and UNNECESARY dress code, I mean who cares if guys have long hair, and girls dye their hair, or if there's a
07/04/09 12:04am en: @Randy_Reindeer if you like drums, percussion, or just good music in general, follow me on twitter and check my myspace videos and songs!
07/04/09 12:04am en: Sarah Palin - hiding something monstrous, moving to hollywood, or just batshit crazy?
07/04/09 12:04am The h..: Winds are Northeast at 8.1 MPH (7 KT). The pressure is 1011.7 mb and the humidity is 26%.
07/04/09 12:04am en: recessioning so hard. need to find some secret money somewhere. or get rich quick schemes. #personalfinances
07/04/09 12:04am en: CONFESS:I've dreamt about doin' it w/all of my good guy friends, if i'm attracted to them or not, constantly.but lately i look forward to it
07/04/09 12:04am en: Home for the nite.. Prolly gunna internet it up or sumthhaaan :d
07/04/09 12:04am en: Idk whether I should wear red or black heels wit this fit!..let me get off here n hit up the bestie right fast
07/04/09 12:04am en: at home, chillin, being lonely :( , and wishing someone were here... or i was somewhere else... either one. and preparing for the sabbath.
07/04/09 12:04am en: most people hatin on Sarah Palin either a) just need someone to hate b) never seen the porno or c) need to sound intelligent. Go watch pr0nz