Events

Using Mashups to Provide New User Experiences

xfy is platform technology to achieve native XML applications. xfy dynamically handles multiple types of XML data on a single screen, and enables easy visualization. This xfy feature provides a powerful boost for "mashups", which are currently receiving close attention as a way of providing new-generation user experiences on the Web.

(For those unfamiliar with the term, a "mashup" is a website or web application that seamlessly combines tags, content, or services from more than one source. The resulting integrated combination can provide users with comprehensive content and online experiences not available from one source alone.)

Mashups produce new value by combining multiple Web services. For example, by mashing up content (such as the information necessary for day trading: the newest stock prices and charts, analyst evaluations, and news), all required information can be obtained and browsed in one window in real time. In the past, users could only obtain and browse such information by switching among multiple windows.

xfy: Making "End-User Mashups" Possible

Currently, various Web service APIs have been made public as resources for mashups. Usually, however, implementing mashups requires server-side development skills because mashups are usually implemented on the server. xfy contains all functionality necessary for mashups, so mashups can be implemented on the client side only. In addition, xfy is equipped with a dedicated application definition language XVCD*. Using XVCD* alone, you can define and implement all processing for sending requests to Web services, mashing up XML data, mapping data to views, and even for handling user events.

• *XVCD is an application definition language based on XSLT. For each XML vocabulary, you can precisely define items such as display rules, edit rules, and the GUI.

xfy makes possible end-user level mashups that have been very difficult to achieve in the past. This is great news for anyone who has ever given up on a project thinking "It'd be really convenient to combine this Web service with that Web service, but it'd be difficult because I don't have the server-side development skills..." xfy satisfies such needs. By using xfy, unlimited possibilities expand before you.

xfy: Commoditizing Mashups

Mashup contents implemented using xfy can be made public on the Web without further change. xfy can also be operated on the server side, not just on the client side.

When xfy is operated on the server side, requests are sent to the Web service corresponding to the contents of the XVCD script, XML data is mashed up, and a view is built (in the same way as
when xfy is operated on the client side). The built view is converted to XHTML and JavaScript, and provided to end users as an Ajax-based Web application. Then, user actions for the Web browser are reported, via Ajax, to xfy operating on the server side and processed (handled as if they were user events for xfy operating on the client side).

xfy gives shape to your ideas, and enables you to put those ideas on the Web. Then, other end users inspired by your ideas will create new mashups. xfy enables the commoditization of mashups and generates a wave of inspiration that will repeatedly add value to your Web content.