Redesigning websites for Rich user interface may involve significant changes not only to the UI layer but also the server side programming . Programmers and Designers often find it as a big project to do a total redesign UI .
If you already have a website with lot stylesheets and javascript's change can be substantial . Prototype (http://www.prototypejs.org/) can be actually help take the first step , as its a light weight and provides a lot of utilities .
Here is an example of a project that was using vanilla AJAX and moving to prototype was very simple
Old Code
function loadXMLDocs(object)
{
xmlhttp=new ActiveXObject("Microsoft.XMLHTTP")
if (xmlhttp)
{
var xmlUrl = 'search.do';
xmlhttp.onreadystatechange=xmlhttpChange
xmlhttp.open("GET",xmlUrl,true)
xmlhttp.send()
}
}
function xmlhttpChange()
{
if (xmlhttp.readyState==4)
{
if (xmlhttp.status==200)
{
var xmlDoc=xmlhttp.responseXML
}
}
}
New Code after including prototype
function loadXMLDocs(object)
{
var myAjax = new Ajax.Request(url,{ method: 'post', parameters: param, onComplete: ccxmlhttpChange });
}
function xmlhttpChange()
{
var xmlDoc=originalRequest.responseXML
}
Notice the considerable reduction in boiler plate code . Also using a framework like prototype gives a added advantage of using more options -
http://www.prototypejs.org/api/ajax/options
My testing showed that the Performance was actually better than using vanilla ajax and our team is more inclined to use it .
