Hello.

This post discusses the differences between using error codes and exceptions for error handling in application programming. It references an article by Damien Katz that explores the topic in detail, highlighting the challenges of proper error handling, even in critical systems. The article uses analogies and strong language to make its points. It also links to the original article and a Digg story about the topic.

In part 8 of "Failures of my First AJAX Application," I discuss the lack of traffic generated by the application. Initially, I hoped for ad revenue, but I've realized that user engagement is more important. My focus now is on improving the application and planning a marketing campaign to highlight its benefits.

In this final part of "The Failures of my First AJAX Application" series, I reflect on the cross-browser compatibility issues I encountered. Focusing on Internet Explorer during development led to problems in Firefox, particularly with security errors (cross-domain data retrieval) and differences in the XML DOM model. The key takeaway is to consider cross-browser support from the outset, anticipating discrepancies between browsers and coding around missing features, similar to CSS development. The next version will prioritize cross-browser compatibility, potentially including Safari. This series has been invaluable for shaping the requirements of the upcoming version.

In this part of my series on my first AJAX application, the Technorati Tag Generator, I discuss its success in streamlining my blogging process. The generator significantly reduces the time I spend creating Technorati tags, saving me roughly 50 minutes per post. While I'm thrilled with this improvement, the current version lacks the Feedster and MSN search boxes present in my initial design. I plan to reintroduce these features in the next version, along with related search previews, to enhance the value and usability of my application. User feedback has highlighted the importance of these features, and their inclusion is crucial to achieving my goals for the project.