One of the limitations for building web 2.0 apps: have to use existing (legacy, even) browser technology (i.e., what IE 6 can do). So we have XHTML, CSS 2.0, RSS, XML, HTTP, and Javascript. None of these are new - they are all mature technologies. So instead of a "big bang" of new stuff, we have a series of "small bangs".

So to Seaside: one major thing is that we have no templating. It's all done in Smalltalk. The metaphor is canvas and brushes.

Most of the presentation is a Seaside demo, which - without shooting video - I can't really convey well here. Michel concentrated on covering Seaside support for CSS, XHTML, and Javascript. On the latter, it uses the standard Scriptaculous libraries. One of the nicer things is that you write the actions in Smalltalk, and the Javascript gets created for you - you stay in Smalltalk at all times.

Another nice thing is that most debugging is in Smalltalk, using the Smalltalk debugger. Michel recommends using Firefox with the Firebug plugin at the browser level.

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