Don't use your web methods to return strings as most programmers do, use them to return true XMLs.

instead of using this:

[WebMethod]
public string MyLameWebMethod()
{
XmlDocument dom = new XmlDocument();
// load XML Data ...
return dom.OuterXml;
}

Now when we want to read it on the client side we want the XML and then the operation is:
XML -> String -> XML


Use this:

[WebMethod]
public XmlDocument MyBetterWebMethod()
{
XmlDocument dom = new XmlDocument();
// load some XML ...
return dom;
}

Here we are skipping over the String step and using much more valid XML document.


Now you are avoiding an added level of transferring your XML document to string and then back to XML.

Google updated their charts API, which they first released back in December 2007. First of all, the old limit of 50,000 queries per user per day has been removed (though Google asks you email them if you receive more than 250,000 queries a day so they can better scale this).

Also, there are several extended or new features. Among them are radar charts, sparklines, and maps. The last one is perhaps the most interesting, as it lets you display and color a map. While you can already use the Google Maps API for certain needs, this is a much more minimalist map that might come in handy for illustrations, games, traffic visualization and other things. As usual, generating maps or any other chart type consists of simply formulating a special URL.

If you've done any Ajax development then you know that much of the loading of data is done in the background. This is great from a developers stand point, but from a users stand point it can be confusing as to what is happening while the data is being loaded. The solution to this is to show a loading indicator.

A loading indicator is a great idea and a nice animated image that could be hidden would be nice. However, if you are like most developers making a nice animated image may not be your strongest point. Well, today while seeing what was getting bookmarked on del.icio.us, using the del.icio.us Spy, I found an interesting and simple service that makes it very easy to get a nice looking loading indicator.

The service is call Ajaxload and is very easy to use. You simply choose the loading icon that you like and the background/foreground colors (you can even have the background transparent). Then you just save it to your computer using the "Download It" button and then you have your own customized loading indicator.

You can go to the service by clicking here.

If you have used this or a similar service I would love to hear about your experience with it (you can leave a comment, or if you would like you can write a blog post about it on this blog, using your free Ajaxonomy account). So, remember that your users would love to see a loading indicator when it is appropriate.