Web Performance Matters

With the introduction of Macromedia Flash MX, Macromedia is ushering in the next major innovation in client-side Internet content and applications. Macromedia Flash MX was built from the ground up to provide a ‘rich client’ environment for Internet content and applications that will radically improve the quality of end-user applications, making the Internet more relevant and useful to businesses and consumers.

By Jeremy Allaire. Published as a Macromedia White Paper in March 2002. This paper introduced the term Rich Internet Application.

The Internet has emerged as the default platform for application development. Unfortunately the demand to build applications of increasing complexity has continued to outpace the ability of traditional Web applications to represent that complexity. The result is frequently a frustrating, confusing or disengaging user experience resulting in unhappy customers, lost sales, increased costs and the disappointment that the Internet has not lived up to its promise.

In response to this opportunity, Macromedia has developed technology and tools that enable new kinds of engaging, highly interactive, applications and user experiences. Using a series of case studies, this White Paper examines Rich Internet Applications -- what they are, why they’re needed, who can use them and the business benefits available to companies that employ them.

By Joshua Duhl. Published as an IDC Opinion in November 2003. Sponsored by Macromedia and Intel. In my opinion, the most readable introduction to Rich Internet Applications.

A 2006 white paper containing four parts:

1. It describes the evolution of traditional Web pages and applications, and reviews the behavioral characteristics of the emerging class of Rich Internet Applications.
2. Because effective SLM methods depend on being able to measure performance, it describes how these more complex applications affect today’s measurement tools and methods.
3. It considers how introducing RIAs affects Web SLM processes that were originally intended for designing and managing the performance of traditional Web applications.
4. It provides a list of useful resources that are referenced in the paper.