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When I think of Web 2.0, the first and foremost characteristic that comes to mind is the slick user interface, with eye-catching images as well as the multi-media rich videos. Of course, I also think of the banner ads. True to this thought, the tipping point to Web 2.0 indeed was the improvements in tools and frameworks to develop effective user interface (UI), especially client-side scripting, Ajax, and the concept of mashups. Who can forget Craig’s List on Google maps? A simultaneous or parallel concept was the arrival of web applications that served as viable platforms for various activities, shopping being the foremost. Of course, now we have Rich Internet Applications (RIA)^[1] development systems such as AIR and Silverlight, which rival the capabilities of desktop interfaces. In fact, for the first time, InfoWorld created a new category called “Best Rich Internet Application Platform”^[2] for its technology awards. RIA has achieved the level of a platform alongside traditional development environments. Take a look at how the website capzles^[3] captures multimedia stroylines and you will see what a slick user interface looks like. (Thanks to our beloved reviewer Praveen for this pointer.) And people are now more regularly talking in terms of the user interface feel, mental bandwidth to use an interface^[4], and interaction audits!

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