First, what is AJAX?
AJAX is a new programming style based on Asynchronous JavaScript And XML. Basically, HTML, JavaScript, CSS and XML are combined to bring a level of interactivity to websites without having to refresh the page.
Ever seen Google's map program? Yup, that's AJAX. What about accessing your company Exchange Server via Outlook on the web? That's another AJAX setup. Pretty cool stuff.
So, the other day, my boss' boss at DoubleClick, Ben Saitz (another self-proclaimed web junkie) passed me a link. We're both always on the lookout for cool stuff on the web, and boy did this one meet that criteria.
The site is called Meebo, and basically it is a way to do Instant Messaging in a browser window. You can connect to all the major chat programs (Yahoo! Messenger, MSN Messenger, AOL Instant Messenger, ICQ, Jabber and Google Talk) with your logins, and the system will download your buddy lists, just like if you were using their application.
It's saved me a few times from having to boot up my laptop just to get on chat, when using someone else's computer. The interface is excellent, the options are growing day by day, and the developers stay on top of things both from a back-end standpoint, but also from a features and enhancements standpoint, constantly hitting their own message baords to check their pulse often.
Meebo team - keep up the GREAT work, and thanks for creating a great application.
To read more about AJAX, check out the Wikipedia entry...great stuff!
Cheers,
-m-