Backbase Newsletter - February 2008

Dear ${Demographic.FirstName},

On March 10th we again organize the new Online Backbase Training, which was a huge success in February. Use the coupon code ‘feb_discount’ to get $100 off.

Sign up for Online Backbase Training »

Based on last month’s newsletter survey results we are including more ‘hands-on’ articles this month, see below. Let us know how you like it.

Best regards,
Jouk Pleiter
CEO, Backbase

With the Backbase JSF Edition you can create Ajax applications using server-side JavaServer Faces components, without having to write JavaScript. However, you can still add client-side functionality: this article explains how to add browser history, so you can use the back/forward button properly.

Click to Read Article »

One of the key causes of a slow website is a large amount of file requests. Often, web pages include large numbers of images, which adds to this problem. With CSS Sprites you can merge multiple smaller images into a larger one that is positioned with CSS. This is now easier with the CSS Sprite Generator that merges images and auto-generates the CSS.

CSS Sprite Generator »

In most Ajax projects there is a need to modify existing Ajax Widgets. There are several ways to do this, each with their own pros and cons. This article explains 4 different ways, and gives recommendations when to use which method.

Click to Read Article »

The success of Ajax and Rich Internet Applications does not only depend on technology, but also on good usability. Users are more productive when the user interface is well-designed. Donna Maurer wrote a great overview article about usability and RIAs and Joost Willemsen makes the case for Single Page interfaces. Theresa Neil presents several search and browse concepts, while Stephen Turbek’s article covers best practices for Financial Services.

We have been steadily improving our Backbase in-browser Debugger: some people even call it a cross-browser Firebug equivalent. To illustrate the key features, one of our core developers has created a walkthrough movie that gives an excellent overview of the capabilities of the Debugger.

Click to View Movie »

Ajax security is a hot topic: with every new technology people are struggling to understand the security implications. Hoffman and Sullivan for sure understand Ajax Security: they’ve written an excellent book that first outlines the pre-Ajax web threats, and then put this in the context of the latest Ajax and Web 2.0 developments.

View Book at Amazon »

Backbase has acquired many more customers in the last couple of months, all of whom appreciate the robustness and breadth of the Backbase software and support. Some of the more well-known new customers are EMC, Banco Santander, Novartis, Mapfre, Telefonica, ING Bank, IBM, British Telecom and Sanofi-Aventis.