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Facebook’s Photo Gallery Now Ajax Based

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Although there is no official word from Facebook, you will notice that the photo gallery in Facebook is now Ajax-based. The clear indication of this change can be seen when you click on photo to start the photo gallery. The photo pop-out like in a lightbox gallery mode gives the users the ability to browse through the photos easily. No need to refresh the page each time you transfer from one page to another. This is very convenient and a welcoming change in the Facebook gallery. It’s basically easier and it surely does load faster compared to loading the whole webpage again and again.

This is one of reasons why Ajax has been very popular nowadays. It has the ability to load the specific information without even loading the whole page. JavaScript is primarily used in this format and targeting the right section of the website enables the JavaScript to run itself without even loading other parts of the page. That is why real time interaction is very possible with the use of Ajax because JavaScript interacts with other websites or another page based on the configuration of the software. Going back to the photos, you’ll also notice a new sub-domain of Facebook in their photo gallery. The “ll” (two Ls) refers to the new server or host for their photos. LL actually stands for LimeLight, which is one of the partners of Facebook. Apparently, they are now the server for the photos posted in Facebook. If you’re not familiar with the website here’s a bird’s eye view. Facebook is basically a social website formerly used only by colleges in the US. It has basically grown into one of the biggest social website in the US, even competing with MySpace.com because of its ability to host applications in their website. They offer developers the chance to create programs and softwares that can be launched right from the social networking website. Facebook has become a platform for different applications ranging from quizzes, picture sharing, games or even full blown turn-based games. When you click on an application, it will be launched right in your Facebook application. You will not be transferred to another website since the application is launched right in your Facebook account. These are used by companies to promote their own website or a simple advertisement of the products they are selling online. Although the website is not very popular outside the country, it has been the favorite for starting developers since they can easily create programs and launch it using the platform provided by Facebook. And it’s not only in photos you’ll be seeing Ajax is being implemented. Since there are more than 20,000 independent applications that can be launched it’s impossible that none of them runs without the use of Ajax. Games usually use Ajax in Facebook while utility applications such as photo uploader or video sharing application for YouTube.com also use Ajax so that you can easily upload or share your favorite videos to your friends in the network.