1. AJAX is not just UI. Since you work in it, you would know that too. Javascript and XML/HTTP related operations (XHR, REST etc.) allow for you to create a full application that goes beyond just UI. Saying that AJAX is only popular because of dynamic updates is a very short sighted view of AJAX. You should look around the net to see the innovation that people are doing with AJAX.

2. Consider a situation where you are making an ‘online collaboration client’. Let us say, that to start with, you choose to provide Chat and document sharing only. What do you choose ? Flash or AJAX ? I’d say either (for example, see meebo.com – AJAX based IM client). But now lets say you want to add voice chat facility 6 months down the line. What do you do ? If you went the AJAX route, you’d probably need to supplement it with a download. Also, what if the voice session and the chat session need to exchange state ? (for example, automatic speech to text)Having two completely different platforms make state exchange and tighter integration harder (you would probably use some RPC only). What if you then needed to put in animation (very common in virtual chat rooms) – do you go with AJAX in which case you may rely on browser’s SVG or do you go with the more compact flash animation ?

So, what the post is trying to say is ‘assess your requirements before you select a technology’.

If you go back to one of my original lines …and if you need real-time voice, video and animation Flash may be a better choice today’

It is very clear on what it is targetting. If the product you are developing is not in that category, then it does not apply to you. If your product is in the category, it is incorrect to say ‘AJAX cannot do it, so why talk about it’ – I have given examples of how people are using AJAX to do it, because they want to do AJAX.

Two things:
A. Here is my work scenario, and may be you might understand better.

1. Where I work, it is very common to develop products talking different UI.
2. I get instructions from my boss to be very cautious when I talk to vendors; simply because they are constantly looking at new ways to milk us.
3. I would be very careful to choose a product, as once you invest into it, you are in a vendor lockin.

B. AJAX’s popularity was purely because of dynamically changing webpage contents, without reloading the page. Let it be that. IMO, well, you can build shopping malls with pocket knife, but that is not what is done.

And, if you pause and see, the post says, “Flash vs. AJAX – Which to choose for Internet Based Communications?” So when I read it, my expectations were different to yours. My question here is, “are those it?”, or “why are comparing them?”

And if you don’t realize, this blog is a mix of technology and ‘non-technology’ posts.

“Is ‘plugin vs. no plugin’, ‘open vs. closed’ a big deal for you ?
To be frank – I am often puzzled by this…”
Really? So, do you think this is not a big deal in the corporate world?