[Axiom-developer] (no subject)

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Subject: Doyen, Magnus distribution
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oh, and while i've got you on the phone, so to speak, here's another
thing to consider.

both axiom and magnus use custom front-end software for most of their
help and user interface. Bill has been making the point that we should
consider using a standard browser instead.

i've been looking at this in some depth for replacing the axiom browser.
axiom's browser allows you to input equations which can be passed to the
back end and the results displayed inline. it also allows both inline
and standalone graphics.

i've been studying AJAX (asynchronous Javascript and XML). I recommend
the books AJAX Hacks and AJAX In Action.

the basic idea is very simple. Any web page can include javascript.
javascript has an object called XMLHttpRequest. If you set some
properties on this object and call a method you can send an http
request (GET or POST) back to the host without changing the current
page. you can then process the reply without changing the current page.

google uses this technique in google maps and gmail. it is now possible
to write a fully interactive client program in the browser. i've been
rewriting the axiom browser pages to use this machinery.

perhaps you want to consider ways to use it in the Doyen CD to 
interact with the browser. you're especially well suited for the
task as you're also running a web server locally so you can process
and modify local files.

it is also a useful long-term direction for the Magnus interface.
this would allow magnus to be used over the web. it would be simple
to open a second browser window with a different page so you could
have the two-window desktop Gilbert prefers.

t