XMLHttpRequest

[yoshida]

Is using the XMLHttpRequest to load a page into a div, technology which is also known as AJAX, a good substitute for using frames? I'd like to create a CSS menu, of which the buttons are event triggers to do so. Think 'serversided scripting'.I was waiting for a good alternative for iFrame, and this might be it.

[Kevin M]

It definately is, as long as the user has JavaScript enabled on their browser. If not, you can show a nice message using the <noscript> tags, just saying that to use your website to it's full potential they will need to enable JS, or something similar to that. You should take a quick look at The Leaky Cauldron.org. They load all of their content using AJAX.

[yoshida]

The 3D-book thingie crashed my browser.I intend to use a serverscript to read if the user has JS enabled, and switch to a serversided version when needed (other template, same content).I also intend to make a headline ticker in the footer, to make the user aware there's no reload required. (another kind of jelly on the same slice of toast)

[justsomeguy]

Good god, the front page of that site is nearly 900KB. After a couple clicks over 1.1MB had been loaded. That's probably unnecessary, but I guess it's a good example.

[yoshida]

Good god, the front page of that site is nearly 900KB. After a couple clicks over 1.1MB had been loaded. That's probably unnecessary, but I guess it's a good example.

What do you think caused that 'information overload'? The script itself, or the images/artwork/3D-thingie etc? The XMLHttpRequest is intended to save bandwidth, since it's only reloading one div at a time.