Ajax, which stands for Asynchronous JavaScript and XML, is a technique used by website developers to create web-based applications that are faster and more interactive, usable and functional. The purpose behind using Ajax technology is to increase the responsiveness of web pages because they allow a computer and a server to exchange small bits of information without the need for refreshing or reloading the internet browser.

Because of the possibilities offered by Ajax, many Internet businesses have used it in their new and existing web applications. One of the most popular Ajax applications is Google Maps, an interactive map which offers many features not found in the other web-based maps.

Google Maps works with Google Earth (also an earth-mapping program) to provide directions to locations worldwide. Google maps feature satellite imagery as well as the usual map displays. One thing that Ajax technology has done in this site that makes it different from other interactive maps is that you can pan left and right of the map, zoom in/out of it or change the location you are viewing without the page having to reload.

In Google Search, another feature that uses Ajax is Google Suggest. When you type a search phrase in the Google search box and pause to think of the right word, this feature will suggest some possible words or phrases to complete your search.

Google is not the only Internet giant that is maximizing the Ajax technology. Rival Yahoo! also has services that are enabled by Ajax such as the popular photo-sharing site, Flickr. This site is not just any photo gallery site but an online community of photo enthusiasts. Thanks to Ajax, Flickr members can easily create photo sets, tags and commnetaries so they can connect with photographers and ordinary people who share their interests.

Flickr uses Ajax extensively in its site and this has led it to create an innovation in the area of online photo-sharing. As with the other popular Ajax applications above, when you are using Flickr you do not have to wait for the screen to reload completely to see the changes you have made. This means, you can arrange, sort or organize your photos much quicker because the browser is updating what you see on the screen without interrupting the entire session.

Google and Yahoo!, along with another competitor MSN, are all using Ajax in their email messaging systems. Although Yahoo! Mail and MSN Kahuna are still in the testing process or what is known as beta stage. MSN Kahuna is the highly upgraded version of MSN Hotmail with a user interface that is very similar to Outlook, which is Microsoft’s offline email program. Ajax and some other dynamic computer programming made possible the many changes on MSN Kahuna such as faster loading, sending and organizing of emails without the need to access the server every time new data needs to be displayed on the screen.

The development of MSN Kahuna came in the heels of the re-design to Yahoo! Mail, which also combines the technology of Ajax with other web development techniques to provide not only a spruced up interface and plenty of features but also faster service. By using Ajax, Yahoo! Mail functions as if it is a desktop application so it is more responsive. Some of the new features available in the Ajax-powered Yahoo! Mail include RSS subscriptions, dragging messages between folders, tabbed displays of messages, integration of the calendar feature with Yahoo! Maps, chat and text messaging.

With all the leading Internet companies using Ajax to make their products and services better, it will not be surprising to see more websites using this amazing technology.