You've heard it. JavaScript is not a REAL programming language.

Well, it is NOW. Programming in JavaScript is inevitable.

And why not.

• It is ubiquitous. (Supported by all major browsers.)
• It supports good Object Oriented Development.
• There is TONS of code out there.
• There is a rapidly growing collection of rich, high quality JavaScript Frameworks and Libraries available.
• It's been good enough to be implemented out of the browser in client technologies like Flash (ActionScript is for all intents and purposes ECMAScript, which is the new name for JavaScript)and SilverLight 1.0)
• And, Server side technologies like Aptana's Jaxer

While I concede that "Web 2.0" technologies like SilverLight 2.0 (Programmed in C#, VB, or any .NET language), and Flash/Flex, and JavaFX have a strong place in the future of the web..... programming the DOM with JavaScript is here to stay.

I think we need to stop trying to avoid JavaScript and start embracing it, even if only for it's universal availability.

Microsoft is embracing JavaScript

• We've added great development and debugging support fir JavaScript in Visual Studio (see links below.)
• We've developed a GREAT set of JavaScript Extensions that are server independent, free, and open. [More Info Here]
• Created a JavaScript friendly controls framework. [ See videos #62, #63, and #64 HERE. ]

So, if your ready to take JavaScript beyond the basics, here are some of my favorites to get you started.

Some Books on JavaScript beyond the syntax !

 

Some JavaScript Tools

Aptana IDE (A GREAT, free AJAX IDE, great for JavaScript even if you're not doing AJAX)

Antechinus JavaScript Editor

SplineTech JavaScript Debugger

Internet Explorer 8 Beta (With great built in developer tools.)

Some Microsoft JavaScript Links

Microsoft JScript Blog

Microsoft JScript Reference

Video: JavaScript Debugging in Visual Studio 2008

Video: JavaScript Intellisense in Visual Studio 2008

A few better than average JavaScript Web Sites

JavaScript.com

W3 Schools JavaScript Tutorials

JavaScript Kit

Dynamic Drive

I love CMS applications!

I've played with more than a hundred free and commercial CMSs written in VB, C#, PHP, Python, Perl, Ruby, you name it !

It's taken me a while to put Graffiti through it's paces, but I did so last weekend.

Here is a quick list of my first impressions.

PROS

• Install is a SNAP.
• The BlogML import facility imported my hundreds of posts flawlessly.
• The administrative user interface is intuitive.
• It's FAST
• The FREE version is not crippled (just limited authors and a couple advanced features off.)
• Widgets are EASY !

CONS

• Some of the downloadable themes I found were not "seamless" (community provided code varies in quality.)
• I missed the ability to create a completely standalone .aspx page that inherits nothing but the theme, (Plan to try this manually.) 

All in all, this has been one of the best "first impression" experiences I've had with a 3rd part ASP.NET application.

Since the free version is REAL and doesn't even require registration to download and install, CLICK HERE and give it a try !

The PowerPoint Decks and the First Webcast are now available on-demand.

Visual WebGui: An Enterprise AJAX application in 20 minutes PPT Deck.

View it On-Demand. (The webcast starts at 10:45 into the video.)

Visual WebGui: Silverlight for line-of-business application PPT Deck. 

Do to a recording error, this webcast is not available on-demand.