Ajax is the next step of the Web's evolution towards more responsive applications. Richer web experiences, like GMail and Meebo, demonstrate how Ajax can help bring application interfaces to life on the Web. Ajax helps create compelling and responsive experiences with existing web standards. Alex Russell will outline the basics of Ajax, exploring terms, technologies, and tools. Join us in getting a firm grounding in the fundamentals of this technology, one which is quickly becoming a requirement in web application development.

In the tutorial you'll learn:

• What is Ajax? Why does it matter?
• Why JavaScript is a powerful language for solving hard UI problems.
• Ajax fundamentals from the ground up.
• Getting productive using Ajax/JavaScript toolkits.
• Where to use Ajax and where "not" to.