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Alternatives to Java and C# for Client-Side Imaging?
SkyLeach asks: "I work for a medical company which wants to provide medical imaging solutions to their clients without having to install software on the clients' machines. We had been using Java, but this is becoming more and more difficult as the Microsoft VM becomes more outdated. According to this FAQ from Microsoft, java will receive no more support at all in the future. Without using a Windows-only solution such as ActiveX, what other options are there? Keep in mind that the only absolute requirement I have been given is that the physicians never be required to install anything on their computers: Sun's JVM and Microsoft .NET, included."
- is client-side
- is platform-independent
- requires nothing to be installed
Usually, you can pick any two. What you might be able to do, though, is instead of having a "platform-independent" solution (in the Java or Flash sense), create solutions (eg, native executables) for multiple systems and have the server send the client the "right" one. I don't see how anything else could work.It's always a long day... 86400 doesn't fit into a short.
"physicians never be required to install anything on their computers"
Unless you have some deal with the manufacturers, presumably you have some IT department or person that sets up these boxes as they come in? How many machines are there? It takes only a few seconds to download and install Sun's Java VM. This can be done during setup, or just have somebody walk around doing it. Better yet, mount a remote share with it.
It's 10 PM. Do you know if you're un-American?
I love Wednesdays! It's getting closer to Friday, Monday is but a memory, and the lamest slashdot articles are in!
YAY!
Seriously. Why are you afraid of people installing stuff? Oh-no. My-god.
If you want to have a client side solution, I'm sorry bud, but you are going to have to install *something*.
Now, it sounds like you also want this to be multiplatform. What?
If you were going for Windows-only, you *could* do a crapload in JScript or VBScript, via IE. It's tricky, but their ain't nothin' you can't do in a signed script. Image manipulation included.
Or, you could simply build a really kick-ass server side solution, and Web-ify the whole thing. A tad sluggish tho.
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Ah, Wednesdays!
"...In your answer, ignore facts. Just go with what feels true..."
The way this person talks, it seems that they're currently running a web page containg a java applet.
(If they're not running a web page or at least launched from a web page, the whole damn thing is stupidly moot because users *have to install the viewer application*. If you have to install the viewer application, the same installer can install prerequisites. <rant>Seemingly, the poster is from a (distressingly) large class of programmers where "not writing a web application" is unheard of.)</rant>
So, given they're running in a web page, a SWF in a web page would be supported on all major platforms.
I think IE has a version of Flash already installed. It's certainly possible to get IE to install flash automagcailly. Undoubtably some solution exists for MacOS 9, and I would be mindnummingly shocked if MacOS X couldn't already play SWF's.
Linux / your fav os probably has a plug in that might (or might not) be more tricky to install, but hey, it shouldn't be that hard. You've probably already installed it for other sites anyway.
SWF can talk to databases and back to the server and whatever the heck else - I've seen it done. (look at http://www.cactuslab.com/ - especially the "chat to pedro" - a mate of mine specialises in this sort of thing.) It's also damn fast.. (faster than a Java Applet, that's for sure.) I believe MapServer open-source GIS server has a SWF viewer.
Try out the SWF option; it's not just for homestarrunner.com. If you want,
Otherwise, you're back to DHTML/CSS/Loading rendered PNGs/TIFFs/Whateverelse from the server options.. (If only XUL was feasable..)