Hemlock
XMPP + Flash = Awesome.
Introducing Hemlock, a new open-source web framework from Mint Digital. Hemlock combines the richness of Flash with the scalability of XMPP, facilitating a new class of web applications where multiple users can interact in real time.Hemlock is open source and available on GitHub: developers can start building real-time web applications with it today.
The problem
To date, almost all websites consist of an HTML front-end on an SQL database. Any real- time interactions have to be simulated with the front-end constantly polling the back-end to see if there's any new data. When you have multiple users, these interactions become very 'expensive'. These applications also suffer from high latency because of the back and forth travel.
Our solution
Hemlock deals with this differently. Using XMPP, Hemlock registers a client with the server to receive messages. The client is then notified by the server when there is a new message; no polling required! In theory, it's very similar to how push email works. This, as well as keeping the network overheads low, gives very low latency interactions, so multiple users can actually interact with the same data in real time.
Why is this exciting?
As well as opening the gates to web applications of a different caliber, Hemlock makes it easy for developers to get started on building these without having to worry about the low- level foundation stuff. They can immediately get started on executing their ideas.
Why open source?
This was a no-brainer. We believe real-time interactions will be what defines the near- future web. So for us, it's exponentially more exciting to share enabling technology then keep the goodness to ourselves. We can't wait to see what developers will create with Hemlock.
What's next?
We hope the developer community will join us in shaping and developing Hemlock into a better framework for the future. We also look forward to everyone's creations with Hemlock technology.
Where can I get more information?
See our dedicated site for Hemlock, http://hemlock-kills.com/